<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.0

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                  dated as of

                                 March 30, 1998

                                    between

                            Broughton Foods Company

                                      and

                               National City Bank

<PAGE>   2
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       SECTION HEADING                                                     PAGE
       ------- -------                                                     ----
       <S>         <C>                                                                                   <C>
       SECTION 1.       CREDIT FACILITIES   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 1 -
               1.1      Revolving Loan .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 1 -
               1.2      Line of Credit .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 1 -

       SECTION 2.       INTEREST RATE.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 2 -
               2.1      Prime Interest Rate.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 2 -
               2.2      LIBO Rate.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 2 -
               2.3      Notice of Election  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 3 -
               2.4      Interest Calculation and Interest Payment Date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 4 -
               2.5      Additional Costs.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 4 -
               2.6      Limitations on Requests and Elections.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 5 -
               2.7      Illegality and Impossibility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 6 -
               2.8      Indemnification.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 7 -
               2.9      Survival of Obligations.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 7 -
               2.10     Commitment Fee; Facility Fee; Documentation Fee; Cancellation and
                        Reduction and Increase of Commitment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 7 -
               2.11     Interest Rate after Default   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 8 -


       SECTION 3.       EVIDENCE OF THE LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 8 -

       SECTION 4.       PREPAYMENT.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 9 -

       SECTION 5.       USE OF PROCEEDS.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 9 -

       SECTION 6.       COSTS AND EXPENSES.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 9 -

       SECTION 7.       SECURITY.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 9 -

       SECTION 8.       WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 10 -
               8.1      Subsidiaries and Other Affiliations.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 10 -
               8.2      Corporate Organization and Authority.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 10 -
               8.3      Financial Statements.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 11 -
               8.4      Full Disclosure.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 11 -
               8.5      Pending Litigation.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 11 -
               8.6      Title to Properties.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 11 -
               8.7      Borrowing is Legal and Authorized.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 12 -
               8.8      No Defaults.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 12 -
               8.9      Government Consent.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 12 -
               8.10     Taxes.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 13 -
               8.11     Compliance with Law.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 13 -
               8.12     Restrictions on Company.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 13 -
               8.13     Environmental Protection.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 14 -
               8.14     Regulation U.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 15 -

       SECTION 9.       CLOSING CONDITIONS.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 15 -
               9.1      Resolutions and Incumbency Certificate.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 16 -
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
       <S>              <C>                                                                              <C>
               9.2      Opinion of Counsel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 16 -
               9.3      Compliance with this Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 16 -
               9.4      Compliance Certificate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 16 -
               9.5      Warranties and Representations.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 16 -
               9.6      Corporate Authority and Good Standing .   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 17 -


       SECTION 10.      COMPANY BUSINESS COVENANTS.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 17 -
               10.1     Payment of Taxes and Claims.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 17 -
               10.2     Maintenance of Properties and Corporate Existence.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 18 -
               10.3     Sale of Assets or Merger.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 19 -
               10.4     Liens and Encumbrances.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 19 -
               10.5     Other Borrowings.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 20 -
               10.6     Contingent Liabilities.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 20 -
               10.7     Operating Lease Rentals.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 20 -
               10.8     Loans and Advances by the Company.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 20 -
               10.9     Acquisition of Capital Stock.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 21 -
               10.10    Investments.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 21 -
               10.11    Sale of Receivables and Consignments.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 21 -
               10.12    Tangible Net Worth  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 21 -
               10.13    Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 22 -
               10.14    Cash Flow Coverage Ratio  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 23 -
               10.15    Ratio of EBIT to Interest Expense   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 23 -
               10.16    ERISA   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 23 -


       SECTION 11.      INFORMATION AS TO COMPANY.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 24 -

       SECTION 12.      EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 25 -
               12.1     Nature of Events.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 25 -
               12.2     Default Remedies.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 26 -

       SECTION 13.      MISCELLANEOUS.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 27 -
               13.1     Notices.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 27 -
               13.2     Reproduction of Documents.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 28 -
               13.3     Survival.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 28 -
               13.4     Successors and Assigns.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 28 -
               13.5     Amendment and Waiver.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 28 -
               13.6     Entire Agreement; Duplicate Originals and Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 28 -
               13.7     Governing Law.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 29 -
               13.8     Accounting Terms and Computations.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 29 -
               13.9     Consent to Jurisdiction and Waiver of Objection to Venue.   . . . . . . . . . .  - 29 -
               13.10    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 30 -
               13.11    Definitions.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  - 30 -
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

       This Credit Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into at Columbus,
Ohio, by and between National City Bank (hereinafter referred to as the
"Bank"), Columbus, Ohio, and Broughton Foods Company (hereinafter referred to
as the "Company"), as of the 30th day of March, 1998.

SECTION 1.  CREDIT FACILITIES

1.1    Revolving Loan.

       The Bank agrees to lend to the Company the sum of $15,000,000.00
(hereinafter referred to as the "Revolving Loan"), subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.  The Revolving Loan shall take the form of a
revolving credit, and the outstanding principal balance may be increased and
decreased an unlimited number of times.  The Company's right to obtain advances
pursuant to the Revolving Loan shall terminate and the outstanding principal
balance shall be payable in full on March 30, 2000  (the "Revolving Loan
Termination Date").  The Bank shall have no obligation to advance or readvance
any sums pursuant to the Revolving Loan at any time when a set of facts or
circumstances exists, which, in and of itself or upon the giving of notice or
lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default under this
Agreement. Upon the mutual agreement of the Bank and the Company, the Revolving
Loan Termination Date may be extended for one or more successive periods of one
year each.

1.2    Line of Credit.

       The Bank agrees to lend to the Company the sum of $5,000,000.00
(hereinafter referred to as the "Line of Credit").  The Line of Credit shall
initially take the form of a revolving credit and the outstanding principal
balance may during that initial time period be increased and decreased an
unlimited number of times.  The Company's right to obtain advances pursuant to
the Line of Credit shall terminate on March 30, 1999 (the "Line of Credit
Termination Date"), and the principal balance outstanding under the Line of
Credit shall thereafter be repaid in eighty-four equal, consecutive monthly
installments.  The Bank shall have no obligation to advance or readvance any
sums pursuant to the Line of Credit at any time when a set of facts or
circumstances exists, which, in and of itself or upon the giving of notice or
lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default under this
Agreement.





<PAGE>   5
SECTION 2.  INTEREST RATE.

2.1  Prime Interest Rate.

       The Company agrees to pay to the Bank monthly interest on the unpaid
balance of the Loan at a variable per annum rate of interest (the "Prime
Interest Rate") equal to the Prime Rate of the Bank, from time to time in
effect, with each change in the Prime Rate automatically and immediately
changing the interest rate on the Loan without notice to the Company.  "Prime
Rate" as used herein shall mean the rate of interest announced by the Bank from
time to time to be its prime rate, whether or not the Bank shall at times lend
to borrowers at lower rates of interest or, if there is no such prime rate,
then its base rate or such other rate as may be substituted generally by the
Bank for the prime rate.  Interest shall be calculated on a 360 day year basis
and shall be based on the actual number of days that elapse during the interest
calculation period.  The Prime Interest Rate shall be applicable at all times
to all the unpaid principal balance of the Loan that is not subject to the
alternative interest rate option elected in the manner hereinafter provided.
"Prime Interest Rate Advance" shall mean any amount borrowed as part of the
Loan that bears interest at the Prime Interest Rate.

2.2  LIBO Rate.

       The Company may from time to time while the Loan is permitted to revolve
elect to have interest accrue on all or part of the outstanding principal
balance of the Loan at a rate of interest equal to the Applicable Margin plus
the LIBO Rate.  "LIBO Rate" shall mean, with respect to any LIBO Rate Advance
and the related Interest Period (as hereinafter defined), the per annum rate
that is equal to the quotient of:

       (a)     the actual or estimated arithmetic mean of the per annum rates
of interest at which deposits in U.S. dollars for the related Interest Period
and in an aggregate amount comparable to the amount of such LIBO Rate Advance
are being offered to U.S.  banks by one or more prime banks in the London
interbank market, as determined by the Bank in its discretion based upon
reference to information appearing in Telerate, a service of Telerate Systems
Incorporated, in the section captioned "British Bankers Assoc.  Interest
Settlement Rates," or any comparable index selected by the Bank, the obtaining
of rate quotations, or any other reasonable procedure, at approximately 11:00
a.m. London, England, time, on the second LIBO Business Day prior to the first
day of the





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   6
related Interest Period; all as determined by the Bank, such sum to be rounded
up, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1%; divided by

       (b)     a percentage equal to 100% minus the rate (expressed as a
percentage), if any, at which reserve requirements are imposed on the Bank, on
the second LIBO Business Day prior to the first day of the related Interest
Period, with respect to any "Eurocurrency liabilities" under Regulation D of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulations
of any governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto
(including, without limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special
or other reserves) for a term comparable to such Interest Period. This
provision is for the benefit of the Bank and is not intended to increase the
expected yield to the Bank above the rates of interest provided for in this
Agreement.

       "LIBO Rate Advance" shall mean any amount borrowed as part of the Loan
that bears interest at a rate calculated with reference to the LIBO Rate.  All
LIBO Rate Advances shall be in a minimum amount of $500,000.00 and in an
integral multiple thereof.  "LIBO Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any
LIBO Rate Advance, a day which is both a day on which the Bank is open for
business and a day on which dealings in U.S. dollar deposits are carried out in
the London interbank market.

2.3  Notice of Election.

       The Company may initially elect to request an advance of any type,
continue an advance of one type as an advance of the then existing type or
convert an advance of one type to an advance of another type, by giving notice
thereof to the Bank in writing in the form of Exhibit A hereto not later than
10:00 a.m. Columbus, Ohio time, two LIBO Business Days prior to the date any
such continuation of or conversion to a LIBO Rate Advance is to be effective,
and not later than 10:00 a.m. Columbus, Ohio time on the date such continuation
or conversion is to be effective in all other cases, provided, that an
outstanding advance may only be converted on the last day of the then current
Interest Period (if applicable) with respect to such advance, and provided,
further, that upon the continuation or conversion of an advance such notice
shall also specify the Interest Period (if applicable) to be applicable thereto
upon such continuation or conversion. If the Company shall fail to timely
deliver such a notice with respect to any outstanding advance, the Company
shall be deemed to have elected to convert such advance to a Prime Interest
Rate Advance on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect
to such advance.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   7
2.4  Interest Calculation and Interest Payment Date.

       "Interest Period" shall mean:

       (a)     With respect to any LIBO Rate Advance, an initial period
commencing, as the case may be, on the day such an advance shall be made by the
Bank, or on the day of conversion of any then outstanding advance to an advance
of such type, and ending on the date one (1), two (2), three (3) or  four (4)
months thereafter, all as the Company may elect pursuant to Section 2.2 of this
Agreement, provided, that (a) any Interest Period with respect to a LIBO Rate
Advance that shall commence on the last LIBO Business Day of the calendar month
(or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last LIBO Business Day
of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; and (b) each Interest Period with
respect to a LIBO Rate Advance that would otherwise end on a day which is not a
LIBO Business Day shall end on the next succeeding LIBO Business Day or, if
such next succeeding LIBO Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar
month, on the next preceding LIBO Business Day.

       (b)     With respect to a Prime Interest Rate Advance, an initial period
commencing, as the case may be, on the day such an advance shall be made by the
Bank, or on the day of conversion of any then outstanding advance to an advance
of such type, and ending on the day of conversion to an advance of a different
type.

       Notwithstanding the provisions of (a) or (b) above, no Interest Period
shall be permitted which would end after the Revolving Loan Termination Date or
Line of Credit Termination Date respectively.

       Interest shall be calculated on a 360 day year basis and shall be based
on the actual number of days which elapse during the interest calculation
period.  Interest shall be due and payable on each Interest Payment Date.
"Interest Payment Date" shall mean (a) the last day of each Interest Period in
the case of a LIBO Rate Advance and, in the case of any Interest Period which
is longer than one (1) month for any such advance, the day of each succeeding
month that corresponds to the first day of such Interest Period; and (b) in the
case of a Prime Interest Rate Advance, the first business day of each month and
on the date of conversion from a Prime Interest Rate Advance to a LIBO Rate
Advance.

2.5  Additional Costs.





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   8
       In the event that any applicable law, treaty, rule or regulation
(whether domestic or foreign) now or hereafter in effect, or any interpretation
or administration thereof by any governmental authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by the Bank with any
request or directive of any such authority (whether or not having the force of
law), shall (a) affect the basis of taxation of payments to the Bank of any
amounts payable by the Company for LIBO Rate Advances under this Agreement
(other than taxes imposed on the overall net income of the Bank by the
jurisdiction, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such
jurisdiction, in which the Bank has its principal office), or (b) shall impose,
modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement
against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by
the Bank, or (c) shall impose any other condition, requirement or charge with
respect to this Agreement or the Loan (including, without limitation, any
capital adequacy requirement, any requirement which affects the manner in which
the Bank allocates capital resources to its commitments or any similar
requirement), and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to
the Bank of making or maintaining the Loan or any advance thereunder, to reduce
the amount of any sum receivable by the Bank thereon, or to reduce the rate of
return on the Bank's capital, then the Company shall pay to the Bank, from time
to time, upon request of the Bank, additional amounts sufficient to compensate
the Bank for such increased cost, reduced sum receivable or reduced rate of
return to the extent the Bank is not compensated therefor in the computation of
the interest rates applicable to the Loan.  A detailed statement as to the
amount of such increased cost, reduced sum receivable or reduced rate of
return, prepared in good faith and submitted by the Bank to the Company, shall
be conclusive and binding for all purposes relative to the Bank, absent
manifest error in computation.  The Bank will make a good faith effort to
provide prompt notice to the Company of the occurrence of an event of the type
described in this Section, but no delay or failure in the giving of notice
shall excuse the Company from any payment obligations hereunder.

2.6  Limitations on Requests and Elections.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
if, upon receiving a request for an advance or a request for a continuation of
an advance as an advance of the then existing type or conversion of an advance
to an advance of another type (a) in the case of any LIBO Rate Advance,
deposits in dollars for periods comparable to the Interest Period elected by
the Company are not available to the Bank in the London interbank





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   9
market, or (b) the LIBO Rate, as the case may be, will not accurately cover the
cost to the Bank of making or maintaining the related LIBO Rate Advance, or (c)
by reason of national or international financial, political or economic
conditions or by reason of any applicable law, treaty, rule or regulation
(whether domestic or foreign) now or hereafter in effect, or the interpretation
or administration thereof by any governmental authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by the Bank with any
request or directive of such authority (whether or not having the force of
law), including without limitation exchange controls, it is impracticable,
unlawful or impossible for the Bank (i) to make the relevant LIBO Rate Advance
or (ii) to continue such advance as a LIBO Rate Advance or (iii) to convert an
advance to LIBO Rate Advance, then the Company shall not be entitled, so long
as such circumstances continue, to request a LIBO Rate Advance or a
continuation of or conversion to such advance from the Bank.  In the event that
such circumstances no longer exist, the Bank shall again consider requests for
LIBO Rate Advances and requests for continuations of and conversions to such
advances.

2.7  Illegality and Impossibility.

       In the event that any applicable law, treaty, rule or regulation
(whether domestic or foreign) now or hereafter in effect, or any interpretation
or administration thereof by any governmental authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by the Bank with any
request or directive of such authority (whether or not having the force of
law), including without limitation exchange controls, shall make it unlawful or
impossible for the Bank to maintain any advance under this Agreement, the
Company shall upon receipt of notice thereof from the Bank, repay in full the
then outstanding principal amount of all advances made by the Bank together
with all accrued interest thereon to the date of payment and all amounts due to
the Bank under Section 2.8, (a) on the last day of the then current Interest
Period, if any, applicable to such advance, if the Bank may lawfully continue
to maintain such advance to such day, or (b) immediately if the Bank may not
continue to maintain such advance to such day.  This provision is for the
benefit of the Bank and is not intended to increase the yield to the Bank above
the rates of interest provided for in this Agreement.  This section 2.7 shall
apply only as long as such illegality exists.  The Bank shall use reasonable,
lawful efforts to avoid the impact of such law, treaty, rule or regulation.  As
an alternative to the repayment obligation provided in this Section 2.7, the
Company may, at its option, and at the time provided in this Section 2.7,
convert any affected advance to a Prime Interest Rate Advance.





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   10
2.8  Indemnification.

       If the Company makes any payment of principal with respect to any LIBO
Rate Advance on any other date than the last day of an Interest Period
applicable thereto or if the Company fails to borrow any LIBO Rate Advance
after notice has been given to the Bank in accordance with Section 2.3, or
fails to make any payment of principal or interest in respect of an advance
when due or at the Revolving Loan Termination Date, the Company shall reimburse
the Bank on demand for any resulting loss or expense incurred by the Bank,
determined in the Bank's reasonable opinion, including without limitation any
loss incurred in obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits from third
parties.  A detailed statement as to the amount of such loss or expense,
prepared in good faith and submitted by the Bank to the Company shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error in computation.

2.9  Survival of Obligations.

       The provisions of Sections 2.5 and 2.8 shall survive the termination of
this Agreement and the payment in full of all promissory notes outstanding
pursuant hereto.

2.10   Commitment Fee; Facility Fee; Documentation Fee; Cancellation and
Reduction and Increase of Commitment.

       The Company agrees to pay to the Bank an annual commitment fee on the
average daily unused portion of the Revolving Loan at a rate equal to the
following:  (a) from the date of this Agreement through March 31, 1999,
two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) of the average daily unused amount of the
Revolving Loan during the calendar quarter then ending; (b) following March 31,
1999, and for all quarters thereafter in which the ratio of the Company's
Funded Debt to EBITDA as of quarter end is less than 1.50 to 1.00, two-tenths
of one percent (0.2%) of the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Loan
during the calendar quarter then ending; (c) following March 31, 1999, and for
all quarters in which the ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA as of
quarter end is equal to or





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   11
greater than 1.50 to 1.00 but less than 2.25 to 1.00, one-quarter of one
percent (0.25%) of the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Loan during
the calendar quarter then ending; (d) following March 31, 1999, and for all
quarters in which the ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA as of
quarter end is equal to or greater than 2.25 to 1.00 but less than or equal to
3.00 to 1.00, three-tenths of one percent (0.30%) of the average daily unused
amount of the Revolving Loan during the calendar quarter then ending; and (e)
following March 31, 1999, and for all quarters in which the ratio of the
Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA as of quarter end is greater than 3.00 to 1.00,
thirty-five one-hundredths of one percent (0.35%) of the average daily unused
amount of the Revolving Loan during the calendar quarter then ending.  The
commitment fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears beginning on March 31,
1998 (prorated for the number of days remaining in that calendar quarter) and
continuing on the last day of each calendar quarter thereafter.  The Company
agrees to pay to the Bank on the date of this Agreement a one-time facility fee
with respect to the Revolving Loan in the amount of $22,500.00, of which sum
$9,375.00 has been paid prior to the date of this Agreement.  The Company
agrees to pay to the Bank on the date of this Agreement a one-time
documentation fee with respect to the Line of Credit in the amount of
$7,500.00, of which sum $3125.00 has been paid prior to the date of this
Agreement.  The Company shall be entitled, upon written notice to the Bank, to
cancel or reduce the total commitment provided for herein; provided, however,
that any such cancellation or reduction shall be irrevocable and all then
outstanding and unpaid principal (or amount thereof in excess of any remaining
commitment), interest, commitment fees and Additional Costs pursuant to Section
2.5 hereof due to the date of cancellation or reduction shall be paid in full
to the Bank.

2.11  Interest Rate after Default.

       Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and the expiration of any
applicable cure period, interest shall thereafter accrue on the outstanding
principal balance of all advances made pursuant to this Agreement at a rate
equal to the Prime Interest Rate plus two percent (2%) per annum.

SECTION 3.  EVIDENCE OF THE LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

       The Revolving Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note in the form
of Exhibit B to this Agreement, or by one or more notes subsequently executed
in substitution therefor.  The Line of Credit shall be evidenced by a
promissory note in the form of Exhibit C to this Agreement, or by one or more
notes subsequently executed in





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   12
substitution therefor. Repayment of the Loan shall be made in accordance with
the terms of the note or notes then outstanding pursuant to this Agreement.

SECTION 4.  PREPAYMENT.

       Subject to the additional sums, if any, payable pursuant to Section 2
hereof, the Company, if not then in default hereunder, shall have the right to
prepay without penalty at any time and from time to time before maturity any
amount or amounts due to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement or to any note or
notes executed pursuant hereto.  If made with respect to the Line of Credit
such prepayments, if any, shall be first applied to the latest maturing unpaid
installments.  Any partial prepayment shall be in the minimum amount of
$500,000.00 or any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 5.  USE OF PROCEEDS.

       The proceeds of the Revolving Loan shall be used by the Company for its
normal and customary working capital requirements and for the acquisition of
ownership interests in other companies engaged in the business of dairy
distribution, dairy food production and dairy collection.  The proceeds of the
Line of Credit shall be used by the Company for capital expenditures required
in connection with the acquisition of other businesses or existing operations.

SECTION 6.  COSTS AND EXPENSES.

       The Company shall pay all costs and expenses incidental to the initial
extension of credit provided for in this Agreement; to any modification of this
Agreement or any of the loan documents related hereto; to any sale or proposed
sale of any interest herein by the Bank; or to the enforcement by the Bank of
its rights hereunder or under any of the related loan documents before or after
the occurrence of any Event of Default.  Such costs shall include, but not be
limited to, fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Bank's counsel, audit and
analysis fees, title insurance premiums and costs, recording fees, appraisal
fees, survey fees, inspection fees, revenue stamps and note and mortgage taxes.

SECTION 7.  SECURITY.





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   13
       The Loan shall be unsecured.

SECTION 8.  WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS.

       The Company warrants and represents to the Bank:

8.1  Subsidiaries and Other Affiliations.

       The Company is not engaged in or a party to any partnership, joint
venture or limited liability company except as set forth on Exhibit D to this
Agreement. The Company has no subsidiaries except as set forth on such exhibit
and will not create or acquire any subsidiaries without the prior written
consent of the Bank. The Bank agrees to provide its consent to proposed
acquisitions by the Company upon the Bank's receipt from the Company of all the
following:  (a) a financial analysis of the impact of the proposed acquisition
on the Company's financial condition, which analysis shall include a
prospective, projected pro forma balance sheet and prospective, projected pro
forma statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows, and which shall
be in all respects satisfactory to the Bank; (b) a copy of any letter of intent
or comparable communication or agreement entered into by the Company with
respect to the proposed acquisition;  (c) a copy of the financial statements of
the company to be acquired for its last three full fiscal years, or if
financial statements for the last full fiscal year are not available, the most
recent financial statements provided to the Company with respect to that year;
(d) a certificate signed by the chief executive officer, president or chief
financial officer of the Company, certifying that the Company will remain in
full compliance with this Agreement immediately following the completion of the
proposed acquisition; and (e) such other information as the Bank may reasonably
request.  The Bank agrees to use its best efforts to advise the Company of the
Bank's decision with respect to any such request within ten (10) business days
of its receipt of all the foregoing.

8.2  Corporate Organization and Authority.

       The Company:

       (a)     is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
               standing under the laws of the State of Ohio;





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   14
       (b)     has all requisite power and authority and all necessary licenses
               and permits to own and operate its properties and to carry on
               its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be
               conducted; and

       (c)     is not doing business or conducting any activity in any
               jurisdiction in which it has not duly qualified and become
               authorized to do business.

8.3  Financial Statements.

       The financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997,
that have been supplied to the Bank have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and fairly
represent the Company's financial condition as of such date.  There has been no
material adverse change in the Company's financial condition since that date.

8.4  Full Disclosure.

       The financial statements referred to in Section 8.3 do not, nor does
this Agreement or any written statement furnished by the Company to the Bank in
connection with obtaining the Loan, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein
or herein not misleading.  There is no fact which the Company has not disclosed
to the Bank in writing which materially affects the properties, business,
prospects, profits or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or the
ability of the Company to perform this Agreement.

8.5  Pending Litigation.

       Except as described in Exhibit E to this Agreement there are no
proceedings pending, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened, against or
affecting the Company in any court or before any governmental authority or
arbitration board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, involve
the possibility of materially and adversely affecting the properties, business,
prospects, profits or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company, or the
ability of the Company to perform this Agreement.

8.6  Title to Properties.





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   15
       The Company has good and marketable title to all the property which it
purports to own (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course
of business), free from any liens and encumbrances, except as set forth on
Exhibit F to this Agreement.

8.7  Borrowing is Legal and Authorized.

       (a)     The Board of Directors of the Company has duly authorized the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and of the notes and documents
contemplated herein, and the notes executed in connection with this Agreement
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in
accordance with their terms.

       (b)     The execution of this Agreement and related notes and documents
and the compliance by the Company with all the provisions of this Agreement are
within the corporate powers of the Company, and are legal and will not conflict
with, result in any breach in any of the provisions of, constitute a default
under, or result in the creation of any lien or encumbrance upon any property
of the Company under the provisions of, any agreement, charter instrument,
bylaw or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it may be
bound.

       (c)     There are no limitations in any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is now a party or
by which the Company may be bound with respect to the payment of principal or
interest on any indebtedness of the Company, including the notes to be executed
in connection with this Agreement.

8.8  No Defaults.

       No event has occurred and no condition exists which, with the giving of
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default pursuant
to this Agreement.  The Company is not in violation in any material respect of
any term of any agreement, charter instrument, bylaw or other instrument to
which it is a party or by which it may be bound.

8.9  Government Consent.





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   16
       Neither the nature of the Company or of its business or properties, nor
any relationship between the Company and any other entity or person, nor any
circumstance in connection with the execution of this Agreement, is such as to
require a consent, approval or authorization of, or filing, registration or
qualification with, any governmental authority on the part of the Company as a
condition to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the notes and
documents contemplated herein.

8.10  Taxes.

       (a)     All tax returns required to be filed by the Company in any
jurisdiction have in fact been filed, and all taxes, assessments, fees and
other governmental charges upon the Company, or upon any of its respective
properties, which are due and payable have been paid.  The Company does not
know of any proposed additional tax assessment against it.

       (b)     The provisions for taxes on the books of the Company for its
current fiscal period are adequate.

8.11  Compliance with Law.

       The Company:

       (a)     is not in violation of any laws, ordinances, governmental rules
               or regulations to which it is subject; and

       (b)     has not failed to obtain any licenses, permits, franchises or
               other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of
               its properties or to the conduct of its business,

which violation or failure to obtain might materially and adversely affect the
business, prospects, profits, properties or condition (financial or otherwise)
of the Company.

8.12  Restrictions on Company.

       The Company is not a party to any contract or agreement, or subject to
any charter or other corporate restriction, which materially and adversely
affects the business of the Company.  The Company is not a party to any
contract or agreement which restricts the right or ability of the Company to
incur indebtedness, other than this Agreement.  The Company has not agreed or
consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   17
contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, to be subject to a lien or encumbrance.

8.13  Environmental Protection.

       The Company (a) has no actual knowledge of the permanent placement,
burial or disposal of any Hazardous Substances (as hereinafter defined) on any
real property owned by the Company (the "Premises"), of any spills, releases,
discharges, leaks, or disposal of Hazardous Substances that have occurred or
are presently occurring on, under, or onto the Premises, or of any spills,
releases, discharges, leaks or disposal of Hazardous Substances that have
occurred or are occurring off the Premises as a result of the Company's
improvement, operation, or use of the Premises which would result in
non-compliance with any of the Environmental Laws (as hereinafter defined); (b)
is and has been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (c) knows
of no pending or threatened environmental civil, criminal or administrative
proceedings against the Company relating to Hazardous Substances; (d) knows of
no facts or circumstances that would give rise to any future civil, criminal or
administrative proceeding against the Company relating to Hazardous Substances;
and (e) will not permit any of its employees, agents, contractors,
subcontractors, or any other person occupying or present on the Premises to
generate, manufacture, store, dispose or release on, about or under the
Premises any Hazardous Substances which would result in the Premises not
complying with the Environmental Laws.

       As used herein, "Hazardous Substances" shall mean and include all
hazardous and toxic substances, wastes, materials, compounds, pollutants and
contaminants (including, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls, and petroleum products) which are included under or regulated by the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15
U.S.C. Section 2601, et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42
U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., the Water Quality Act of 1987, 33 U.S.C. Section
1251, et seq., and the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq., and any
state or local statute ordinance, law, code, rule, regulation or order
regulating or imposing liability (including strict liability) or standards of
conduct regarding Hazardous Substances (hereinafter the "Environmental Laws"),
but does not include such substances as are permanently incorporated into a
structure or any part thereof in such a way as to preclude their subsequent
release into the environment, or the permanent or temporary storage or disposal
of household





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   18
hazardous substances by tenants, and which are thereby exempt from or do not
give rise to any violation of the forementioned Environmental Laws.

       Further, the Company hereby indemnifies the Bank and holds the Bank
harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense or liability
(including strict liability) directly or indirectly arising out of or
attributable to the generation, storage, release, threatened release,
discharge, disposal or presence (whether prior to or during the term of the
Loan) of Hazardous Substances on, under or about the Premises (whether by the
Company or any employees, agents, contractor or subcontractors of the Company
or any predecessor in title or any third persons occupying or present on the
Premises), or the breach of any of the representations and warranties regarding
the Premises, including, without limitation:  (a) those damages or expenses
arising under the Environmental Laws; (b) the costs of any required or
necessary repair, cleanup or detoxification of the Premises, including the soil
and ground water thereof, and the preparation and implementation of any
closure, remedial or other required plans; (c) damage to any natural resources;
and (d) all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Bank in connection
with clauses (a), (b) and (c) including, but not limited to reasonable
attorneys' fees.

       The indemnification provided for herein shall not apply to any losses,
liabilities, damages, injuries, expenses or costs which:  (i) arise from the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Bank, or (ii) relate to Hazardous
Substances placed or disposed of on the Premises after the Bank acquires title
to the Premises through foreclosure or otherwise.

8.14  Regulation U.

       The Company is not engaged in the business of purchasing or selling
margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System) or extending credit to others for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying margin stock and no part of the proceeds of any
borrowing hereunder will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or for
any other purpose which would violate any of the margin regulations of said
Board of Governors.

SECTION 9.  CLOSING CONDITIONS.

       The obligation of the Bank to make the Loan shall be subject to the
following conditions precedent:





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   19
9.1  Resolutions and Incumbency Certificate.

       The Bank shall have received a certificate signed by the secretary or
assistant secretary of the Company and dated as of the date of this Agreement
certifying the adoption of resolutions by the Company's Board of Directors, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, authorizing the execution of this
Agreement and the notes, security documents and other documents and instruments
provided for herein and the performance of all the acts contemplated hereby,
together with a certificate signed by one of such officers certifying the names
and offices of each of the executive officers of the Company as of the date of
this Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, and containing
the signature of each officer authorized to sign this Agreement and any
documents and instruments to be executed in connection therewith.

9.2  Opinion of Counsel.

       The Bank shall have received from counsel for the Company the closing
opinion described in Exhibit G to this Agreement.

9.3  Compliance with this Agreement.

       The Company shall have performed and complied with all agreements and
conditions contained herein which are required to be performed or complied with
by the Company before or at closing.

9.4  Compliance Certificate.

       The Bank shall have received a certificate dated the date upon which
this Agreement is executed and signed by the chief executive officer, president
or chief financial officer of the Company, certifying that the conditions
specified in Section 9.3 have been fulfilled.

9.5  Warranties and Representations.

       On the date of each advance pursuant to the Loan, the warranties and
representations set forth in Section 8 hereof shall be true and correct on and
as of such date with the same effect as though such warranties and





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   20
representations had been made on and as of such date, except to the extent that
such warranties and representations expressly relate to an earlier date.

9.6    Corporate Authority and Good Standing.

       The Bank shall have received a true and correct copy of the current
Articles of Incorporation of the Company, together with all amendments thereto,
certified by the Secretary of State of the state of incorporation of the
Company within the past thirty days; a true and correct copy of the Code of
Regulations of the Company, together with all amendments thereto, certified by
the secretary or assistant secretary of the Company to be in effect on the date
of this Agreement; and certificates of good standing as to the Company issued
within the past thirty days by the Secretary of State of the Company's state of
incorporation and the Secretary of State of each state in which the Company is
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation.

SECTION 10.  COMPANY BUSINESS COVENANTS.

       Effective on and after the date of this Agreement, so long as any of the
indebtedness provided for herein remains unpaid, the Company covenants as
follows:

10.1  Payment of Taxes and Claims.

       The Company will pay before they become delinquent:

       (a)     all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies
               imposed upon it or its property; and

       (b)     all claims or demands of materialmen, mechanics, carriers,
               warehousemen, landlords, bailees and other like persons which,
               if unpaid, might result in the creation of a lien or encumbrance
               upon its property,

provided that items of the foregoing description need not be paid while being
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and provided further
that adequate book reserves have been established with respect thereto





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   21
and provided further that the Company's title to, and its right to use, its
property is not materially adversely affected thereby.

10.2  Maintenance of Properties and Corporate Existence.

       The Company shall:

       (a)     Property--maintain its property in good condition and make all
               renewals, replacements, additions, betterments and improvements
               thereto which are deemed necessary by the Company;

       (b)     Insurance--maintain, with financially sound and reputable
               insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business
               against such casualties and contingencies, of such types
               (including but not limited to fire and casualty, public
               liability, products liability, larceny, embezzlement or other
               criminal misappropriation insurance) and in such amounts as is
               customary in the case of corporations of established reputations
               engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly
               situated, and provide such evidence of such insurance coverage
               as the Bank may request;

       (c)     Financial Records--keep true books of records and accounts in
               which full and correct entries will be made of all its business
               transactions, and reflect in its financial statements adequate
               accruals and appropriations to reserves, all in accordance with
               generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied;

       (d)     Corporate Existence and Rights--do or cause to be done all
               things necessary (i) to preserve and keep in full force and
               effect its existence, rights and franchises, and (ii) to
               maintain its status as a corporation duly organized and existing
               and in good standing under the laws of the state of its
               incorporation; and

       (e)     Compliance with Law--not be in violation of any laws,
               ordinances, or governmental rules and regulations to which it is
               subject and will not fail to obtain any licenses, permits,
               franchises or other governmental authorizations necessary to the
               ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its business,
               which violation or failure to obtain might materially and
               adversely affect the business, prospects, profits, properties or
               condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company.

10.3  Sale of Assets or Merger.





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   22
       (a)     Sale of Assets--The Company will not, except in the ordinary
               course of business, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose
               of, any of its assets, provided that the foregoing restriction
               does not apply to the sale of assets for a cash consideration to
               one or more persons if the value of all assets so sold in one
               twelve-month period (with the assets being valued at the greater
               of net book or fair market value) does not exceed 5% of the
               tangible net worth of the Company.  The Company will not sell or
               transfer any of its assets to any subsidiary without the prior
               written consent of the Bank.

       (b)     Merger and Consolidation--The Company will not without the prior
               written consent of the Bank or except as provided in Section 8.1
               of this Agreement consolidate with or merge into any other
               entity, or permit any other entity to consolidate with or merge
               into it.

10.4  Liens and Encumbrances.

       (a)     Negative Pledge.  The Company will not cause or permit or agree
               or consent to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening
               of a contingency or otherwise), any of its property, whether now
               owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a lien or
               encumbrance except:

                 (i)    liens securing taxes, assessments or governmental
                        charges or levies or the claims or demands of
                        materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen,
                        landlords and other like persons provided the payment
                        thereof is not at the time required by Section 10.1;

                (ii)    liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course
                        of business in connection with workmen's compensation,
                        unemployment insurance, social security and other like
                        laws;

               (iii)    attachment, judgment and other similar liens arising in
                        connection with court proceedings, provided the
                        execution or other enforcement of such liens is
                        effectively stayed and the claims secured thereby are
                        being actively contested in good faith and by
                        appropriate proceedings;

                (iv)    reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements,
                        rights of way, covenants, conditions, restrictions,
                        leases and other similar title exceptions or
                        encumbrances affecting real property, provided they do
                        not in the aggregate materially detract from the value
                        of said





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   23
                        property or materially interfere with its use in the
                        ordinary conduct of the Company's business;

               (v)      inchoate liens arising under ERISA to secure the
                        contingent liability of the Company;

               (vi)     purchase money security interests granted in connection
                        with the acquisition of personal property in the
                        ordinary course of business and securing no more than
                        $500,000 in indebtedness at any one time outstanding.

       (b)     Other Negative Pledge Agreements.  The Company will not grant or
               agree to provide in the future (upon the happening of a
               contingency or otherwise), a "negative pledge" or other covenant
               or agreement similar to the agreement contained in this Section
               10.4 in favor of any other lender, creditor or third party.

10.5  Other Borrowings.

       The Company will not create or incur any indebtedness of more than
$500,000 in the aggregate for borrowed money or advances, including through the
execution of capitalized lease agreements, unless such indebtedness shall be
subordinated to the satisfaction of the Bank to the Company's indebtedness to
the Bank.

10.6  Contingent Liabilities.

       The Company will not guarantee, indorse or otherwise become surety for
or upon the obligations of others, except by indorsement of negotiable
instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

10.7  Operating Lease Rentals.

       The Company will not without the prior written approval of the Bank
enter into operating leases providing in the aggregate for annual rentals which
exceed $6,500,000.

10.8  Loans and Advances by the Company.

       The Company will not make any loans or advances to any person,
corporation or entity if such loans will exceed an aggregate total outstanding
at any one time of $1,000,000.





                                      -20-
<PAGE>   24
10.9  Acquisition of Capital Stock.

       The Company shall not redeem or acquire any of its own capital stock
except through the use of the net proceeds from the simultaneous sale of an
equivalent amount of its capital stock.

10.10  Investments.

       The Company shall not, except as provided in Section 8.1 of this
Agreement, purchase for investment securities of any kind excepting bonds or
other obligations of the United States, certificates of deposit issued by
commercial banks and commercial paper rated at least A-1 or P-1 and having a
maturity of not more than one year, nor shall the Company otherwise make any
investment in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture or other entity or enterprise.

10.11  Sale of Receivables and Consignments.

       The Company shall not sell any of its accounts receivable or notes
receivable, with or without recourse, nor shall it assign or encumber any of
its accounts receivable or notes receivable; provided, that the Company may in
the ordinary course of business sell, assign or encumber receivables not
exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement.  The
Company shall not permit any of its inventory to be sold or transferred on
consignment or acquire or possess any inventory on consignment; provided, that
the Company may in the ordinary course of business place or acquire inventory
on consignment to the extent that the fair market value of all such inventory
does not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement.

10.12  Tangible Net Worth.

       The Company shall maintain a Tangible Net Worth of not less than
$28,000,000.00, plus, for each fiscal year end beginning with the 1998 fiscal
year, 50% of the Company's positive Net Income for such year and 50% of the net
proceeds from any sale of equities by the Company during such year.  "Tangible
Net Worth" shall mean the





                                      -21-
<PAGE>   25
Company's equity, minus the sum of all the following:  (i) the excess of cost
over the value of net assets of purchased businesses, rights, and other similar
intangibles, (ii) organizational expenses, (iii) goodwill, (iv) deferred
charges or deferred financing costs, (v) loans or advances to and/or accounts
or notes receivable from affiliates, (vi) non-compete agreements, (vii) all
other intangible assets, and (viii) all other assets not directly related to
the operation of the business of the Company.  "Net Income" for any period
shall mean the net income (or deficit) of the Company for such period that, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, would be included as
net income on the statements of income of the Company for such period (but
excluding any extraordinary gains or losses attributed to such period).

10.13  Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA.

       The Company shall maintain at all times a ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA
of not more than 4.00 to 1.00 through March 31, 1999, and thereafter of not
more than 3.15 to 1.00.  The ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA shall be determined
as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter.  "Funded
Debt" shall be defined and determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and calculated as of the end of the most recently
completed fiscal quarter.  "EBITDA" shall mean, for the period consisting of
the four most recently completed fiscal quarters, (a) the sum of the amounts
for such period, for the Company and for any companies acquired in their
entirety by the Company during such period (each an "Acquired Company"), of (i)
net income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) charges for federal, state, local and
foreign income taxes, (iv) depreciation, amortization expense and non-cash
charges that were deducted in determining net income, (v) extraordinary losses
(and any unusual losses arising outside the ordinary course of business not
included in extraordinary losses determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles) and (vi) other non-operating expenses that have
been deducted in the determination of net income, minus (b) the sum of the
amounts for such period of (i) extraordinary gains (and any unusual gains
arising outside the ordinary course of business not included in extraordinary
gains determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles),
(ii) other non-operating income not already excluded from the determination of
net income and (iii) to the extent not deducted from total interest expense,
any net payments received during such period under interest rate contracts and
any interest income received in respect of cash investments.





                                      -22-
<PAGE>   26
10.14  Cash Flow Coverage Ratio.

       The Company shall maintain at each fiscal quarter end a ratio of EBITDA
(as defined in Section 10.13), minus unfunded capital expenditures, minus
dividends, plus net proceeds from the sale of equities, to Debt Service  of not
less than 2.00 to 1.00.  The ratio shall be determined as of the last day of
each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarter period ending on such date.
"Debt Service" shall mean with respect to any period of four fiscal quarters,
the sum of (a) all amounts paid, without duplication, as interest on the
indebtedness of the Company and each Acquired Company for such period, as
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less
interest paid other than in cash, plus (b) scheduled principal payments on term
obligations and capital leases of the Company and each Acquired Company for
such period.

10.15  Ratio of EBIT to Interest Expense.

       The Company shall achieve as of the end of each fiscal year during the
term of this Agreement a ratio of EBIT to interest expense of not less than
2.50 to 1.00.

       "EBIT" shall mean for the Company and each Acquired Company (a) the Net
Income (or deficit) for such period, plus (b) the aggregate amounts deducted in
determining such net income in respect of (i) all amounts paid (without
duplication) as interest on all indebtedness and obligations of the Company and
each Acquired Company for such period, all as determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and (ii) income taxes for such
period, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.  "Net Income" for any period shall mean the net income (or deficit)
of the Company or any Acquired Company for such period that, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, would be included as net income on
the statements of income of the Company or such Acquired Company for such
period (but excluding any extraordinary gains or losses attributed to such
period).

10.16  ERISA.

       The Company shall with respect to any pension plan or profit-sharing
plan in effect now or in the future:





                                      -23-
<PAGE>   27
       (a)     at all times make prompt payment of contributions required to
               meet the minimum funding standards set forth in Section 302
               through 305 of ERISA with respect to its plan,

       (b)     promptly, after the filing thereof, furnish to the Bank copies
               of each annual report required to be filed pursuant to Section
               103 of ERISA in connection with its plan for the plan year,
               including any certified financial statements or actuarial
               statements required pursuant to said Section 103,

       (c)     notify the Bank immediately of any fact, including, but not
               limited to, any "Reportable Event," as that term is defined in
               Section 4043 of ERISA, arising in connection with the plan which
               might constitute grounds for termination thereof by the Pension
               Benefit Guaranty Corporation or for the appointment by the
               appropriate United States District Court of a Trustee to
               administer the plan,

       (d)     notify the Bank of any "Prohibited Transaction" as that term is
               defined in Section 406 of ERISA.

The Company will not:

       (e)     engage in any "Prohibited Transaction," or

       (f)     terminate any such plan in a manner which could result in the
               imposition of a lien on the property of the Company pursuant to
               Section 4068 of ERISA.

SECTION 11.  INFORMATION AS TO COMPANY.

       The Company shall deliver the following to the Bank:

       (a)     within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, financial
               statements, including a balance sheet and statements of income,
               retained earnings and cash flows, certified by the chief
               executive officer, president or chief financial officer of the
               Company as fairly representing the Company's financial condition
               as of the end of such period;

       (b)     within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a statement
               signed by the chief executive officer, president or chief
               financial officer of the Company certifying that the Company is
               in compliance with terms of this Agreement;

       (c)     within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year, an audited
               financial statement prepared in accordance with generally
               accepted accounting principles consistently applied by
               independent public





                                      -24-
<PAGE>   28
               accountants satisfactory to the Bank, containing a balance sheet
               and statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows,
               along with any management letters written by such accountants;

       (d)     immediately upon filing, copies of all filings made with the
               Securities and Exchange Commission or in compliance with any
               state securities law;

       (e)     immediately upon becoming aware of the existence of any
               condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default, a
               written notice specifying the nature and period of existence
               thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
               take with respect thereto;

       (f)     at the request of the Bank, such other information as the Bank
               may from time to time reasonably require.

SECTION 12.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

12.1  Nature of Events.

       An "Event of Default" shall exist if any of the following occurs and is
continuing:

       (a)     the Company fails to make any payment of principal on any note
               executed in connection with this Agreement on or before the date
               such payment is due;

       (b)     the Company fails to make any payment of interest on any note
               executed in connection with this Agreement on or before five
               days after the date such payment is due;

       (c)     the Company fails to perform or observe any covenant contained
               in Sections 5, 10.1 through 10.11, 10.16 or 11(a) through 11(f)
               of this Agreement;

       (d)     the Company fails to comply with any other provision of this
               Agreement, and such failure continues for more than 30 days
               after such failure shall first become known to any officer of
               the Company;

       (e)     any warranty, representation or other statement by or on behalf
               of the Company contained in this Agreement or in any instrument
               furnished in compliance with or in reference to this Agreement
               is false or misleading in any material respect;

       (f)     the Company becomes insolvent or bankrupt, or makes an
               assignment for the benefit of creditors, or consents to the
               appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator;





                                      -25-
<PAGE>   29
       (g)     bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or
               liquidation proceedings are instituted by or against the Company
               and, in the case of any such proceedings being instituted
               against the Company, remain undismissed for a period of 60 days;

       (h)     a final judgment or judgments, from which no further right of
               appeal exists, for the payment of money aggregating in excess of
               $100,000.00 is or are outstanding against the Company and any
               one of such judgments has been outstanding for more than 30 days
               from the date of its entry and has not been discharged in full
               or stayed;

       (i)     the Company fails to make any payment or to perform or observe
               any covenant owing to the Bank or to any third party pursuant to
               any agreement (other than in connection with no more than one
               account payable arising in the ordinary course of business and
               not exceeding in amount the sum of $100,000), and any applicable
               grace period has expired;

       (j)     the Bank for any reason in good faith deems itself insecure with
               respect to the repayment of the indebtedness provided for
               herein.

12.2  Default Remedies.

       (a)     Acceleration--If an Event of Default exists, the Bank may
immediately exercise any right, power or remedy permitted to the Bank by law,
and shall have, in particular, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the right to declare the entire principal and all interest accrued
on all notes then outstanding pursuant to this Agreement to be forthwith due
and payable, without any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company.

       (b)     Nonwaiver; Remedies Cumulative--No course of dealing on the part
of the Bank, nor any delay or failure on the part of the Bank in exercising any
rights, powers or privileges hereunder, shall operate as a waiver of such
rights, powers or privileges or otherwise prejudice any of the Bank's rights
and remedies hereunder; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or privilege by the Bank.  No right or remedy conferred upon or reserved to the
Bank under this Agreement is





                                      -26-
<PAGE>   30
intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and
remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given
hereunder or now or hereafter existing under any applicable law.  Every right
and remedy given by this Agreement or by applicable law to the Bank may be
exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the
Bank.

       (c)     Right of Set-Off--Upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of any Event of Default hereunder, the Bank and each of its participants or
assignees (the "Participants") is hereby authorized at any time and from time
to time, without notice to the Company (any such notice being expressly waived
by the Company) and to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and
apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or
final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by the Bank or
the Participants to or for the credit or the account of the Company against any
and all of the obligations of the Company now or hereafter existing under this
Agreement, irrespective of whether or not the Bank or such Participants shall
have made any demand hereunder and although such obligations may be unmatured.

SECTION 13.  MISCELLANEOUS.

13.1  Notices.

       (a)     All communications under this Agreement or under the notes
executed pursuant hereto shall be in writing and shall be mailed by first class
mail, postage prepaid,

               (1)      if to the Bank, at the following address, or at such
                        other address as may have been furnished in writing to
                        the Company by the Bank:

                        National City Bank
                        155 East Broad Street
                        Columbus, Ohio 43251
                        Attention:  George J. Fedeczko
                                      Vice President

               (2)      if to the Company, at the following address, or at such
                        other address as may have been furnished in writing to
                        the Bank by the Company:

                        Broughton Foods Company
                        210 North Seventh Street
                        Marietta, Ohio 45750
                        Attention:  Todd Fry
                                      Chief Financial Officer





                                      -27-
<PAGE>   31
       (b)     Any notice so addressed and mailed by registered or certified
mail shall be deemed to be given when so mailed.

13.2  Reproduction of Documents.

       This Agreement and all documents relating hereto, including, without
limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications which may hereafter be
executed, (b) documents received by the Bank at the closing or otherwise, and
(c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or
hereafter furnished to the Bank, may be reproduced by the Bank by any
photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or
other similar process and the Bank may destroy any original document so
reproduced.  The Company agrees and stipulates that any such reproduction shall
be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or
administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and
whether or not such reproduction was made by the Bank in the regular course of
business) and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such
reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

13.3  Survival.

       All warranties, representations, and covenants made by the Company
herein or on any certificate or other instrument delivered by it or on its
behalf under this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the
Bank and shall survive the closing of the Loan regardless of any investigation
made by the Bank on its behalf.  All statements in any such certificate or
other instrument shall constitute warranties and representations by the
Company.

13.4  Successors and Assigns.

       This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
legal representatives, successors and assigns of each of the parties.

13.5  Amendment and Waiver.

       This Agreement may be amended, and the observance of any term of this
Agreement may be waived, with (and only with) the written consent of the
Company and the Bank.





                                      -28-
<PAGE>   32
13.6  Entire Agreement; Duplicate Originals and Counterparts.

       This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral
communications and all prior writings and understandings with respect thereto.
Two or more duplicate originals of this Agreement may be signed by the parties,
each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
document, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing
any such counterpart.

 13.7  Governing Law.

       This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Ohio.

13.8  Accounting Terms and Computations.

       Whenever any accounting term shall be used herein or the character or
amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be
determined, or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to
be made, for the purpose of this Agreement, such accounting term, such
determination or computation shall, to the extent applicable and except as
otherwise specified in this Agreement, be defined or made (as the case may be)
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States applied (in the case of determinations or computations) on a basis
consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements
referred to in Section 8.3 hereof.

13.9  Consent to Jurisdiction and Waiver of Objection to Venue.

       The Company agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to
this Agreement or the notes or the transactions contemplated hereby may be
brought in the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Ohio, or in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, and
the Company hereby irrevocably submits to and accepts generally and
unconditionally the jurisdiction of those courts with respect to its





                                      -29-
<PAGE>   33
person, property and revenues and irrevocably consents to service of process in
any such action or proceeding by the mailing thereof by U.S. mail to the
Company at the Company's address set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.

       The Company hereby irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of
venue of any such suit or proceeding in the above described courts, and
unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim that any such suit or
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum,
provided, that this provision shall not preclude the Company from seeking to
consolidate actions brought against it.

       Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the right of the Bank to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law or limit the right of the Bank to
bring any such action or proceeding against the Company or to obtain execution
on any judgment in any other jurisdiction or in any other manner permitted by
law.

13.10  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

       THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, AS TO ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY ARISE
BETWEEN THE PARTIES, THE COMMERCIAL NATURE OF THE TRANSACTION OUT OF WHICH THIS
AGREEMENT ARISES WOULD MAKE ANY SUCH DISPUTE UNSUITABLE FOR TRIAL BY JURY.
ACCORDINGLY, EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY AS TO ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY ARISE RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR TO ANY OF THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS OR DOCUMENTS EXECUTED IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH, AND WHETHER SUCH DISPUTE RELATES TO A CLAIM SOUNDING IN
TORT OR CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE.

13.11  Definitions.

       The following are the definitions used in this Agreement:

       "Acquired Company" is defined in Section 10.13.

       "Agreement" is defined in the preamble.

       "Applicable Margin" means the following with respect to the Revolving
       Loan:  (a) from the date of this Agreement through March 31, 1999, one
       percent (1.000%) per annum if the ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to
       EBITDA at the most recent quarter end was 3.15 to 1.00 or less, and one
       and three-eighths percent (1.375%) per annum if the ratio of the
       Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most recent quarter end





                                      -30-
<PAGE>   34
       was greater than 3.15 to 1.00; (b) following March 31, 1999, one percent
       (1%) per annum if the ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA at
       the most recent quarter end was less than 1.50 to 1.00;  (c) following
       March 31, 1999, one and one-quarter percent (1.25%) per annum if the
       ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most recent quarter
       end was equal to or greater than 1.50 to 1.00 but less than 2.25 to
       1.00; (d)  following March 31, 1999, one and one-half percent (1.50%)
       per annum if the ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA at the
       most recent quarter end was equal to or greater than 2.25 to 1.00 but
       less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00; and (e) following March 31, 1999,
       one and three-quarters percent (1.75%) per annum if the ratio of the
       Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most recent quarter end was
       greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

       "Applicable Margin" means the following with respect to the Line of
       Credit: (a) from the date of this Agreement through March 31, 1999, one
       and one-eighth percent (1.125%) per annum if the ratio of the Company's
       Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most recent quarter end was 3.15 to 1.00 or
       less, and one and three-eighths percent (1.375%) per annum if the ratio
       of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most recent quarter end
       was greater than 3.15 to 1.00; (b) following March 31, 1999, one and
       one-eighth percent (1.125%) per annum if the ratio of the Company's
       Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most recent quarter end was less than 1.50
       to 1.00;  (c) following March 31, 1999, one and three-eighths percent
       (1.375%) per annum if the ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA
       at the most recent quarter end was equal to or greater than 1.50 to 1.00
       but less than 2.25 to 1.00; (d)  following March 31, 1999, one and
       five-eighths percent (1.625%) per annum if the ratio of the Company's
       Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most recent quarter end was equal to or
       greater than 2.25 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00; and
       (e) following March 31, 1999, one and seven-eighths percent (1.875%) per
       annum if the ratio of the Company's Funded Debt to EBITDA at the most
       recent quarter end was greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

       "Bank" is defined in the preamble.

       "Company" is defined in the preamble.

       "Debt Service" is defined in Section 10.14.

       "EBIT" is defined in Section 10.15.

       "EBITDA" is defined in Section 10.13.





                                      -31-
<PAGE>   35
       "Environmental Laws" is defined in Section 8.13.

       "Eurocurrency Liabilities" is defined in Section 2.2.

       "Event of Default" is defined in Section 12.1.

       "Funded Debt" is defined in Section 10.13.

       "Hazardous Substances" is defined in Section 8.13.

       "Interest Payment Date" is defined in Section 2.4.

       "Interest Period" is defined in Section 2.4.

       "LIBO Business Day" is defined in Section 2.2.

       "LIBO Rate" is defined in Section 2.2.

       "LIBO Rate Advance" is defined in Section 2.2.

       "Line of Credit" is defined in Section 1.2.

       "Line of Credit Termination Date" is defined in Section 1.2.

       "Loan" means the Revolving Loan and the Line of Credit.

       "Negative Pledge" is defined in Section 10.4.

       "Net Income" is defined in Section 10.15.

       "Note or Notes" is defined in Section 2.4.

       "Participants" is defined in Section 12.2

       "Premises" is defined in Section 8.13.

       "Prime Rate" is defined in Section 2.1.

       "Prime Interest Rate" is defined in Section 2.1.

       "Prime Interest Rate Advance" is defined in Section 2.1

       "Prohibited Transaction" is defined in Section 10.16.

       "Reportable Event" is defined in Section 10.16.

       "Revolving Loan" is defined in Section 1.1.

       "Revolving Loan Termination Date" is defined in Section 1.1.

       "Tangible Net Worth" is defined in Section 10.12.





                                      -32-
<PAGE>   36
                                      BROUGHTON FOODS COMPANY

                                      By:
                                         --------------------------------------

                                      Its:
                                          -------------------------------------

                                      NATIONAL CITY BANK

                                      By:
                                         --------------------------------------

                                      Its:
                                          -------------------------------------





                                      -33-
<PAGE>   37
EXHIBITS

Exhibit B    - Promissory Note - Revolving Loan
Exhibit C    - Promissory Note - Line of Credit





<PAGE>   38
                                     EXHIBIT B

                                NATIONAL CITY BANK
                                      REVOLVING NOTE

                                                                  Columbus, Ohio
$15,000,000                                                       March 30, 1998
                                                Date of Maturity: March 30, 2000

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, BROUGHTON FOODS COMPANY, an Ohio corporation
("Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of National City Bank ("Bank"), in
lawful money of the United States of America, the principal sum of Fifteen
Million and 00/100 Dollars ($15,000,000) or such lesser unpaid principal amount
as may be advanced by Bank pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement of even
date herewith by and between Borrower and Bank, as same may be amended from time
to time (the "Agreement"). The proceeds of the loan evidenced hereby may be
advanced, repaid and readvanced in partial amounts during the term of this note
(this "Note"). The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall bear
interest, before and after default, as set forth in the Agreement. This Note is
due and payable in full on March 30, 2000 (subject to rights of acceleration
pursuant to the Agreement).

      The principal amount of each loan made by Bank and the amount of each
prepayment made by Borrower shall be recorded by Bank on the schedule attached
hereto or in the regularly maintained data processing records of Bank. The
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all loans set forth in such schedule or in
such records shall be presumptive evidence of the principal amount owing and
unpaid on this Note. However, failure by Bank to make any such entry shall not
limit or otherwise affect Borrower's obligations under this Note or the
Agreement.

      This Note is a promissory note referred to in the Agreement, and is
entitled to the benefits, and is subject to the terms, of the Agreement. The
principal of this Note is prepayable in the amounts and under the circumstances,
and its maturity is subject to acceleration upon the terms, set forth in the
Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Agreement, if any
payment on this Note becomes due and payable on a day other than one on which
Bank is open for business (a "Business Day"), the maturity thereof shall be
extended to the next Business Day, and interest shall be payable at the rate
specified herein during such extension period.

      In no event shall the interest rate on this Note exceed the highest rate
permissible under any law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a
final determination, deem applicable hereto. In the event that a court
determines that Bank has received interest and other charges under this Note in
excess of the highest permissible rate applicable hereto, such excess shall be
deemed received on account of, and shall automatically be applied to reduce the
amounts due to Bank from Borrower under this Note, other than interest, and the
provisions hereof shall be deemed amended to provide



<PAGE>   39

      for the highest permissible rate. If there are no such amounts
      outstanding, Bank shall refund to Borrower such excess.

      Presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of
protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery,
performance and enforcement of this Note, and consent to one or more repeals or
extensions of this Note are hereby waived.

      This Note is being delivered in, is intended to be performed in, shall be
construed and enforceable in accordance with, and be governed by the internal
laws of, the State of Ohio without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
Borrower agrees that the state and federal courts in Franklin County, Ohio, or
any other court in which Bank initiates proceedings, shall have exclusive
jurisdiction over all matters arising out of this Note, and that service of
process in any such proceeding shall be effective if mailed to Borrower at its
address described in the Notices section of the Agreement.

      This Note may not be changed orally, but only by an instrument in writing.

      BORRFOWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM,
DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (1) ARISING UNDER THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER
INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH,
OR (2) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF
BORROWER OR THE BANK WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT
OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE TRANSACTIONS
RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER
ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND BORROWER
HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF
ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT BORROWER OR THE
BANK MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT
AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF BORROWER TO THE WAIVER OF THE RIGHT OF
BORROWER TO TRIAL BY JURY.

      Borrower authorizes any attorney of record to appear for it in any court
of record in the State of Ohio, after any obligation evidenced hereby (an
"Obligation") becomes due and payable whether by its terms or upon default,
waive the issuance and service of process, and release all errors, and confess a
judgment against it in favor of the holder of such Obligation, for the principal
amount of such Obligation plus interest thereon, together with court costs and
attorneys' fees. Borrower waives any conflict of interest caused by an attorney
that represents Bank acting as attorney for Borrower as set forth in this
section. Borrower also agrees that the attorney acting for Borrower as set forth
in this section may be compensated by Bank for such services, and Borrower
waives any conflict of interest caused by such compensation arrangement. Stay of
execution and all exemptions are hereby waived. If an Obligation is referred to
an attorney for collection, and the payment is obtained without the entry of a
judgment, the obligors shall pay to the holder of such obligation its attorneys'
fees.

<PAGE>   40



WARNING--BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT TRIAL.
IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT FROM YOU
REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR RETURNED
GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT, OR ANY
OTHER CAUSE.

                             BROUGHTON FOODS COMPANY

                                          By:

                                          Its:



                                       3
<PAGE>   41
                                   EXHIBIT C

                              NATIONAL CITY BANK
                                    REVOLVING NOTE

                                                                  Columbus, Ohio
$5,000,000.00                                                     March 30, 1998
                                                Date of Maturity: March 30, 2006

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, BROUGHTON FOODS COMPANY, an Ohio corporation
("Borrower") promises to pay to the order of NATIONAL CITY BANK ("Bank"), in
lawful money of the United States of America, the principal sum of Five Million
Dollars ($5,000,000.00) or so much thereof as shall have been advanced by the
Bank at any time and not thereafter repaid pursuant to the terms of the Credit
Agreement of even date herewith by and between Borrower and Bank, as same may be
amended from time to time (the "Agreement"). The proceeds of the loan evidenced
hereby may be advanced, repaid and readvanced in partial amounts prior to March
30, 1999. The outstanding principal balance of this Note (this "Note") shall
bear interest, before and after default, as set forth in the Agreement.

      The outstanding principal balance of this Note as of March 30, 1999, shall
be due and payable in eighty-four equal, consecutive monthly installments,
beginning on April 30, 1999, and continuing on the 30th day of each month
thereafter (subject to the rights of acceleration pursuant to the Agreement and
with each February payment to be due on the last day of that month). Accrued
interest shall be payable on the same dates as monthly installments of the
principal sum.

      The principal amount of each loan made by Bank and the amount of each
prepayment made by Borrower shall be recorded by Bank on the schedule attached
hereto or in the regularly maintained data processing records of Bank. The
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all loans set forth in such schedule or in
such records shall be presumptive evidence of the principal amount owing and
unpaid on this Note. However, failure by Bank to make any such entry shall not
limit or otherwise affect Borrower's obligations under this Note or the
Agreement.

      This Note is a promissory note referred to in the Agreement, and is
entitled to the benefits, and is subject to the terms, of the Agreement. The
principal of this Note is prepayable in the amounts and under the circumstances,
and its maturity is subject to acceleration upon the terms, set forth in the
Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Agreement, if any
payment on this Note becomes due and payable on a day other than one on which
Bank is open for business (a "Business Day"), the maturity thereof shall be
extended to the next Business Day, and interest shall be payable at the rate
specified herein during such extension period.

      In no event shall the interest rate on this Note exceed the highest rate
permissible under any law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a
final determination, deem applicable


<PAGE>   42

hereto. In the event that a court determines that Bank has received interest and
other charges under this Note in excess of the highest permissible rate
applicable hereto, such excess shall be deemed received on account of, and shall
automatically be applied to reduce the amounts due to Bank from Borrower under
this Note, other than interest, and the provisions hereof shall be deemed
amended to provide for the highest permissible rate. If there are no such
amounts outstanding, Bank shall refund to Borrower such excess.

      Presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of
protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery,
performance and enforcement of this Note, and consent to one or more repeals or
extensions of this Note are hereby waived.

      This Note is being delivered in, is intended to be performed in, shall be
construed and enforceable in accordance with, and be governed by the internal
laws of, the State of Ohio without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
Borrower agrees that the state and federal courts in Franklin County, Ohio, or
any other court in which Bank initiates proceedings, shall have exclusive
jurisdiction over all matters arising out of this Note, and that service of
process in any such proceeding shall be effective if mailed to Borrower at its
address described in the Notices section of the Agreement.

      This Note may not be changed orally, but only by an instrument in writing.

      BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM,
DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (1) ARISING UNDER THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER
INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH,
OR (2) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF
BORROWER OR THE BANK WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT
OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE TRANSACTIONS
RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER
ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND BORROWER
HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF
ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT BORROWER OR THE
BANK MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT
AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF BORROWER TO THE WAIVER OF THE RIGHT OF
BORROWER TO TRIAL BY JURY.

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<PAGE>   43

      Borrower authorizes any attorney of record to appear for it in any court
of record in the State of Ohio, after any obligation evidenced hereby (an
"Obligation") becomes due and payable whether by its terms or upon default,
waive the issuance and service of process, and release all errors, and confess a
judgment against it in favor of the holder of such Obligation, for the principal
amount of such Obligation plus interest thereon, together with court costs and
attorneys' fees. Borrower waives any conflict of interest caused by an attorney
that represents Bank acting as attorney for Borrower as set forth in this
section. Borrower also agrees that the attorney acting for Borrower as set forth
in this section may be compensated by Bank for such services, and Borrower
waives any conflict of interest caused by such compensation arrangement. Stay of
execution and all exemptions are hereby waived. If an Obligation is referred to
an attorney for collection, and the payment is obtained without the entry of a
judgment, the obligors shall pay to the holder of such obligation its attorneys'
fees.

WARNING--BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT TRIAL.
IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT FROM YOU
REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR RETURNED
GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT, OR ANY
OTHER CAUSE.

                                       BROUGHTON FOODS COMPANY

                                       By:

                                       Its:




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