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                                                                   Exhibit 10.27


                                    January 30, 1997


PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Everett F. "Jeff" Jefferson
2055 Empire Mine Circle
Gold River, CA 95670

Dear Jeff:

I am delighted to inform you that the Board has unanimously shared my
recommendation that you become the next President and CEO of Fresh
Choice, Inc.

1.    Annual base salary of $275,000 subject to increase as appropriate.

2.    Date of Employment Commencement will be February 10, 1997.

3.    Incentive Compensation not to exceed 50% of base pay subject to clearly
      defined objectives.

4.    Car and telephone allowance of $1,000 per month.

5.    Reimbursed for reasonable and normal relocation expenses including
      household move, closing costs, and temporary lodging up to $70,000.
      (Closing costs to be defined.)

6.    You will be eligible to apply for Fresh Choice's health insurance program
      which includes medical, dental and life insurance.

7.    Participation in Fresh Choice's Employee Stock Purchase Plan at the first
      enrollment period following one year of employment. Under this program you
      may purchase Fresh Choice stock through payroll deduction at a discount of
      15%.

8.    You will be granted a stock option of 165,000 of common stock vesting
      under the normal company policy of five years at market price on
      commencement date of employment. In addition, you will be eligible for an
      additional 55,000 shares to be vested five years from date of employment
      at the market price of that date.



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Everett F. Jefferson

9.    If you resign by providing 60 days notice, Fresh Choice's sole obligation
      shall be to pay you in cash for any unreimbursed expenses, any accrued but
      unused portion of four weeks' vacation, and any declared but unpaid
      bonuses.

10.   In the event of termination of your employment by Fresh Choice, Inc. not
      for cause within the first two years, your severance pay will equal two
      years' salary at the current rate. Thereafter, you will have your contract
      extended annually with a one-year severance at the current rate. You will
      be able to exercise all vested options per the Company policy. "Cause" is
      defined as (a) the willful and intentional failure substantially to
      perform your duties (other than because of physical or mental incapacity),
      (b) the commission of an illegal act in connection with your
      re-employment, or (c) the commission of any act which falls outside the
      ordinary course of your responsibilities and which exposes the Company to
      a significant level of undue liability. A determination of "Cause"
      requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all members of the
      Board of Directors.

11.   In the event of a buyout of the Company, your options will become
      automatically vested. If you are, in fact, severed by the acquiring
      company, or your job has changed and you desire to leave, your severance
      will include one year's base salary.

12.   The reporting relationship will be directly to the Chairman of the Board
      with the understanding that there are very clearly defined shared
      responsibilities which will be mutually satisfactory to us both as we
      discussed.

13.   As a public company, it is standard practice and our policy that the
      Nomination Committee be composed of the outside directors only; but,
      clearly your input on the selection of directors is important to us.

14.   You will be elected to the Board of Directors.

We are excited about what we think is an incredible opportunity and
look forward to you coming on board on February 10th.


                                          Sincerely,


                                          /s/ Charles A. Lynch

AGREED TO:

/s/ Everett F. Jefferson

cc:   M. M. Casey, V. O. Curtis, C. R. Hays



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