Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(s)

                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
             FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 19, 2001

         THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 ("Amendment No. 1") dated as of April 30, 2002
between MAX & ERMA'S RESTAURANTS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and THE PROVIDENT BANK, an Ohio banking corporation (the "Bank").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Bank, parties to the Fourth Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2001 (the
"Agreement"), have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment No. 1 on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Terms not otherwise defined herein
are used as defined in the Agreement as amended hereby.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Bank hereby agree as follows:

         Section 1. Amendment of the Agreement. The Agreement is, effective the
date hereof, hereby amended as follows:

         1.1. Section 1.1 is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  1.1 Commitment of the Bank.

                           1.1.1. Commitment. The Bank agrees, on the terms and
                  conditions of this Agreement and provided that no Event of
                  Default or Default (the definitions of those and other
                  capitalized terms used herein have the meanings provided in
                  Section 9) then exists, to make Loans to the Company at the
                  main office of the Bank, 1 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati,
                  Ohio, from time to time on and after the date hereof but prior
                  to the Term Loan Maturity Date or the Revolving Credit
                  Maturity Date.

                           1.1.2. Maximum Commitment. The Bank agrees to extend
                  the following credit term facilities: (a) a term loan (the
                  "Term Loan") in the original principal amount of $23,000,000,
                  evidenced by the Term Promissory Note dated as of the date
                  hereof in the amount of $23,000,000, payable by the Company to
                  the Bank in 12 equal quarterly installments of principal of
                  $600,000 plus interest commencing May 1, 2002 and terminating
                  on February 1, 2005 (the "Term Loan Maturity Date") pursuant
                  to the terms thereof and Section 1.4 hereof, as such Term Loan
                  Maturity Date may be extended pursuant to Section 1.1.4 hereof
                  (the "Term Note") and (b) a revolving loan in the original
                  principal amount of $12,800,000 pursuant to the terms of a
                  Revolving Credit Note dated as of the date hereof (the
                  "Revolving Note" and, collectively with the Term Note, the
                  "Notes"). The maximum amount of all outstanding Loans of the
                  Bank to the Company under this Agreement shall not exceed
                  $35,800,000 (the "Maximum Commitment"). The Maximum Commitment
                  of the Bank

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                  as adjusted from time to time is hereinafter called the
                  "Commitment" of the Bank.

                           1.1.3. Revolving Commitment. The $12,800,000
                  available to the Company under the Revolving Note shall be
                  hereinafter called the "Revolving Commitment." As of the
                  Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the Bank shall have no further
                  obligation to fund any Revolving Credit Loans under this
                  Agreement. Any amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit
                  Note shall become due and payable on February 1, 2005
                  ("Revolving Credit Maturity Date") pursuant to the terms
                  thereof and Section 1.4 hereof, as such Revolving Credit
                  Maturity Date may be extended pursuant to Section 1.1.5
                  hereof. No Commitment shall become effective until each of the
                  parties hereto shall have executed this Agreement or a
                  counterpart hereof.

                           1.1.4. Term Note Extension. The Term Loan may, at the
                  option of the Bank, be extended for a 12 month period on each
                  February 1, commencing February 1, 2003. If the Bank agrees to
                  extend the Term Loan or fails to deliver a notice of
                  non-extension by February 1, then the Term Loan Maturity Date
                  will be automatically redefined to mean the date one year
                  hence (i.e., February 1, 2005 to February 1, 2006). If the
                  Bank delivers a notice of non-extension on or before any
                  February 1, then the Term Loan Maturity Date shall be
                  automatically extended to the date 36 months after the then
                  existing Term Loan Maturity Date (the "Former Term Loan
                  Maturity Date") (i.e., February 1, 2005 to February 1, 2008),
                  and the Term Loan shall become payable in $600,000
                  installments (commencing on the May 1 occurring immediately
                  after the delivery of the Bank's notice of non-extension)
                  until the Former Term Loan Maturity Date, at which time the
                  quarterly installments will be paid in 12 installments equal
                  to the amount of principal outstanding on the Former Term Loan
                  Maturity Date divided by 12, so that the Term Loan shall be
                  paid in full when the final equal quarterly installment is
                  made on the extended Term Loan Maturity Date.

                           1.1.5. Revolving Commitment; Extension and
                  Conversion. The Revolving Commitment may, at the option of the
                  Bank, be extended for a 12 month period on each February 1,
                  commencing February 1, 2003.

                                    (a) If the Bank agrees to extend the
                  Revolving Commitment or fails to deliver a notice of
                  non-extension by February 1, then the Revolving Credit
                  Maturity Date will be automatically redefined to mean the date
                  one year hence (i.e., from February 1, 2005 to February 1,
                  2006).

                                    (b) If the Bank delivers a notice of
                  non-extension on or before any February 1, then the Revolving
                  Credit Maturity Date shall not be further extended, and the
                  Company shall have the option to (i) pay off the remaining
                  principal balance on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or
                  (ii) if the Company sends a conversion notice to the Bank by
                  the March 1 occurring immediately after the Company's receipt
                  of a notice of non-extension, to convert the Revolving Credit
                  Commitment to a term loan, in

<PAGE>

                  which case the balance of the Revolving Note shall
                  automatically convert to a term obligation with a maturity 60
                  months thereafter (the "Extended Maturity Date"), and in which
                  case the Company shall pay the remaining principal balance
                  over the extended term, with equal installments due each
                  quarter (commencing on the May 1 occurring immediately after
                  the delivery of the Bank's notice of non-extension) in an
                  amount equal to the then-remaining (i.e., March 1) principal
                  balance divided by 20, so that the obligations incurred under
                  the Revolving Note shall be paid in full when the final equal
                  quarterly payment is made on the Extended Maturity Date.

         1.2. Section 1.2 is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  1.2 Cancellation or Reduction of the Commitment by the
                  Company. During the period from and including the date of this
                  Agreement to but excluding the later of the Term Loan Maturity
                  Date (as extended) or the Revolving Credit Maturity Date (or
                  the Extended Maturity Date), the Commitment of the Bank may,
                  subject to the payment of the Interest Preservation Amount
                  described in Section 1.5, be cancelled or may be reduced
                  permanently from time to time by the Company in the amount of
                  $100,000 or any larger amount which is a whole multiple of
                  $100,000 upon 10 Banking Days' written notice to the Bank of
                  the Company's election to do so, which notice shall specify
                  the date when such cancellation or reduction shall be
                  effective and on the effective date of such reduction the
                  Commitment of the Bank shall be reduced; provided that-

                           (a) any such cancellation or reduction shall be
                  irrevocable;

                           (b) in the event of a cancellation of the Commitment
                  of the Bank, (i) the Notes shall be paid in full, (ii) all
                  Commitment Fees due to the date of cancellation shall be paid
                  in full and (iii) all expenses due pursuant to Section 10.7
                  hereof shall be paid in full; and

                           (c) in the event of a reduction of the Commitment of
                  the Bank to an amount less than the principal amount then
                  outstanding hereunder, the Notes shall be prepaid so that the
                  unpaid aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding
                  Loans does not exceed the Commitment of the Bank as so
                  reduced.

         1.3. Section 1.3(c) is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                           (c) Agency Fee. As consideration for the Bank
                  agreeing to serve as agent and participate a portion of the
                  Commitment, the Company shall pay to the Bank an Agency Fee of
                  $25,000 on each November 1 thereafter until the later of the
                  Term Loan Maturity Date (as extended) or the Revolving Credit
                  Maturity Date (or the Extended Maturity Date).

         1.4. Section 1.4(a) is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  1.4 The Notes.

<PAGE>

                           (a) Form. The Loans made by the Bank pursuant hereto
                  shall be evidenced by the Revolving Note of the Company
                  substantially in the form of Exhibit A-6 and the Term Note of
                  the Company substantially in the form of Exhibit A-7, payable
                  to the order of the Bank and representing the obligation of
                  the Company to pay the amount of the Commitment or, if less,
                  the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans made by the
                  Bank, with interest thereon as prescribed in this Section 1.4.
                  The Notes shall (i) be dated the date of this Agreement, (ii)
                  be stated to mature on the respective Maturity Dates; and
                  (iii) bear interest at the applicable interest rate per annum
                  as provided in, and payable as specified in this Section 1.4.
                  Each Loan made by the Bank and each payment made on account of
                  principal on the Notes shall be recorded by the Bank, on its
                  books and records or endorsed on the grid attached to the
                  applicable Note, such books and records or endorsements to
                  constitute prima-facie evidence of the amount of all Loans and
                  payments; provided, however, that the failure of the Bank to
                  make such recordation shall not limit or otherwise affect the
                  obligations of the Company under the Notes.

         1.5. Section 1.4(d) is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                           (d) Principal. Principal on the Loans shall be due
                  and payable pursuant to the terms of the Notes and shall be
                  due and payable in full on the respective Maturity Dates;
                  provided, however, that any Excess Cash Flow payments the
                  Company makes shall be applied to principal reduction of the
                  Term Note in the inverse order of maturity. The Company shall
                  be required to make additional principal payments on the Term
                  Loan based on the annual Net Income of the Company, commencing
                  for the fiscal year ending in 2003. The Company shall pay an
                  amount (the "Excess Cash Flow") equal to forty percent (40%)
                  of the Company's annual Net Income that exceeds the amount of
                  principal paid by the Company on the Term Loan during such
                  fiscal year multiplied by 1.5; provided, however, that such
                  payment shall never be greater than $500,000 for any fiscal
                  year. The Company shall pay the Excess Cash Flow on the
                  February 1 occurring immediately after each fiscal year end.
                  The Company shall be required to pay any Excess Cash Flow to
                  the Bank.

         1.6. Section 1.5 is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                           1.5 Prepayments and Right to Reborrow. Except as set
                  forth below, outstanding Loans may be prepaid in whole at any
                  time or in part from time to time without premium or penalty.
                  No prepayment shall affect the Company's right to reborrow
                  from the Bank under the Revolving Commitment of the Bank up to
                  the permissible amount hereunder prior to the Revolving Credit
                  Maturity Date. The Company may prepay all or any portion of
                  the principal amount of the Loans bearing interest at a LIBOR
                  Rate, provided that if the Company makes any such prepayment
                  other than on the last day of an Interest Period, the Company
                  shall pay all accrued interest on the principal amount prepaid
                  with such prepayment and, on demand, shall reimburse the Bank
                  and hold the Bank harmless from all losses and expenses
                  incurred by the Bank as a result of such prepayment,
                  including, without limitation, any losses and expenses arising
                  from the

<PAGE>

                  liquidation or reemployment of deposits acquired to fund or
                  maintain the principal amount prepaid. Such reimbursement
                  shall be calculated as though the Bank funded the principal
                  amount prepaid through the purchase of U.S. Dollar deposits in
                  the London, England interbank market having a maturity
                  corresponding to such Interest Period and bearing an interest
                  rate equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period, whether
                  in fact that is the case or not. The Bank 's determination of
                  the amount of such reimbursement shall be conclusive in the
                  absence of manifest error.

         1.7. Section 1.7(A) is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  1.7 Letters of Credit.

                                    (A) The Company may request a Letter of
                  Credit by completing the Bank's then standard application for
                  a Letter of Credit and delivering the application to the Bank
                  at least two days before the date on which the Letter of
                  Credit is to be issued. On the date the Letter of Credit is to
                  be issued, the Bank shall deliver the Letter of Credit to the
                  Company, or to the Person designated by the Company. No Letter
                  of Credit shall be issued with an expiration date after the
                  Revolving Credit Maturity Date or which is payable in a
                  currency other than United States dollars. Except as otherwise
                  provided herein, all the terms of the Letter of Credit and
                  such standard application shall govern the Letter of Credit.
                  The amount of each Letter of Credit must be approved by the
                  Bank (provided that there shall never be more than $500,000 in
                  face amount of Letters of Credit outstanding), and the Bank
                  may disapprove a Letter of Credit request at any time for any
                  reason. The Revolving Commitment shall be reduced by the face
                  amount of any Letter of Credit.

         1.8. Section 5.4 is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                           5.4 Quarterly Compliance Certificate. The quarterly
                  and annual financial statements furnished pursuant to Sections
                  5.2 and 5.3 shall be accompanied by a certificate of the chief
                  financial officer of the Company:

                                    (a) No Event of Default. Stating that except
                  as disclosed in the certificate, such officer, after
                  reasonable investigation, has no knowledge of any (i) Event of
                  Default or (ii) Default;

                                    (b) Financial Ratios. Setting forth, in
                  summary form, calculations showing the financial status of the
                  Company (at the end of, or, in the case of incurrence tests,
                  during such accounting Period) in respect of the restrictions
                  contained in Sections 6.2 and 6.3 hereof; and

                                    (c) Interest Rate. Setting forth, in summary
                  form, calculations showing the ratio set forth in Section
                  1.4(b).

         1.9. Sections 6.2(b), 6.2(c), 6.2(e) and 6.2(f) are hereby amended and
restated in their entirety as follows:

<PAGE>

                                    (b) Liabilities/Tangible Net Worth Ratio.
                  Permit the ratio of Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth to
                  exceed (i) 8.5 to 1 on April 30, 2002, (ii) 7.5 to 1 on
                  October 31, 2002, (iii) 5.0 to 1 on October 31, 2003, and (iv)
                  3.5 to 1 on October 31, 2004 and thereafter.

                                    (c) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the
                  ratio of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio at the end of any Fiscal
                  Period (as defined in Section 9) to be less than 1.25 to 1.
                  "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, for the Company during
                  the Fiscal Period being measured, the quotient of (a) the sum
                  of (i) net income (adjusted upward to the extent
                  non-recurring, non-cash charges are reflected therein and
                  adjusted downward to the extent non-recurring, non-cash gains
                  are reflected therein), plus (ii) amortization and
                  depreciation plus (iii) accrued interest expense plus (iv)
                  income taxes payable during such period minus (v) one time
                  non-cash charges reflected within net income, divided by (b)
                  the sum of (v) current maturities of other long term
                  indebtedness plus (w) current maturities of capitalized lease
                  obligations plus (x) accrued interest expense plus (y) during
                  the Fiscal Period this ratio is being measured, 20% of the
                  Revolving Credit Usage (as defined below), and (z) Store
                  Capital Expenditures in the prior 12 months. "Store Capital
                  Expenditures" means the greater of (A) the product of (i) the
                  number of Company restaurants that have been open more than
                  one year during the Fiscal Period this ratio is being measured
                  multiplied by (ii) $47,000 or (B) the actual Capital
                  Expenditures on such restaurants during the Fiscal Period.
                  "Revolving Credit Usage" means the amount of Revolving Loans
                  outstanding under the Revolving Note on the last day of the
                  Fiscal Period that is being measured.

                                    (e) Tangible Net Worth. Permit its Tangible
                  Net Worth to be less than (i) $6,000,000 from April 30, 2002
                  through October 31, 2002, (ii) $7,500,000 from November 1,
                  2002 through October 31, 2003, (iii) $9,000,000 from November
                  1, 2003 through October 31, 2004, (iv) $10,500,000 from
                  November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005, and (v) $12,000,000
                  from November 1, 2005 to the later of the Revolving Credit
                  Maturity Date or the Term Loan Maturity Date.

                                    (f) Interest Coverage Ratio. As of the end
                  for each Fiscal Period, permit the ratio of (a) (i) the
                  Company's net income during the Fiscal Period being measured
                  plus (ii) interest of the Company during the Fiscal Period
                  being measured plus (iii) taxes of the Company during the
                  Fiscal Period being measured plus (iv) one time non-cash
                  charges reflected within net income for the Company during the
                  Fiscal Period being measured to (b) the Company's interest
                  expense during the Fiscal Period being measured to be less
                  than 2.15 to 1.0 for each fiscal quarter end.

         1.10. In Section 9, the following definitions are amended and restated
in their entirety:

                           "Commitment" is defined at Section 1.1.2.

                           "Current Liabilities" shall mean all Liabilities as
                  may properly be classified as current Liabilities in
                  accordance with GAAP and, prior to the

<PAGE>

                  later of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date (or the Extended
                  Maturity Date) or the Term Loan Maturity Date (as extended),
                  shall include the amount of all Loans which are outstanding
                  hereunder which are due within the next twelve months.

                           "Net Income" shall mean for any period the net income
                  (loss) of the Company incurred during such period as
                  determined in accordance with GAAP.

                           "Notes" is defined at Section 1.1.2.

                           "Revolving Commitment" is defined at Section 1.1.2.

                           "Revolving Note" is defined at Section 1.1.2.

         1.11. In Section 9, the definitions of Maturity Date, Term Note A, and
Term Note B are deleted and the following definitions are inserted:

                           "Extended Maturity Date" is defined at Section
                  1.1.5(b).

                           "Revolving Credit Maturity Date" is defined at
                  Section 1.1.3.

                           "Term Loan Maturity Date" is defined at Section
                  1.1.2.

                           "Term Note" is defined at Section 1.1.2.

         1.12. Exhibits A-3, A-4 and A-5 to the Agreement are deleted from the
Agreement and Exhibits A-6 and A-7, in the forms attached to this Amendment No.
1, are added to the Agreement.

         1.13. Exhibit C to the Agreement is deleted and is replaced by Exhibit
C-2 attached hereto.

         Section 2. Governing Law. This Amendment No. 1 shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

         Section 3. Costs and Expenses. The Company hereby agree to pay on
demand all reasonable costs and expenses of the Bank in connection with the
preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment No. 1 and the other
documents to be delivered in connection herewith, including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel to the Bank with
respect thereto.

         Section 4. Counterparts. This Amendment No. 1 may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of
which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         Section 5. Warrant of Attorney. The undersigned and all indorsers
authorize any attorney at law, including an attorney engaged by the holder, to
appear in any court of record in Columbus, Ohio, after the indebtedness
evidenced hereby, or any part thereof, becomes due and waive the issuance and
service of process and confess judgment against any one or more than one of the

<PAGE>

undersigned and all indorsers in favor of the holder, for the amount then
appearing due, together with costs of suit and, thereupon, to release all errors
and waive all rights of appeal and stay of execution, but no such judgment or
judgments against any one of the undersigned shall be a bar to a subsequent
judgment or judgments against any one or more than one of such persons against
whom judgment has not been obtained hereon. The foregoing warrant of attorney
shall survive any judgment; and if any judgment be vacated for any reason, the
holder hereof nevertheless may thereafter use the foregoing warrant of attorney
to obtain an additional judgment or judgments against the undersigned and all
indorsers or any one or more of them. The undersigned and all indorsers hereby
expressly waive any conflict of interest that the holder's attorney may have in
confessing such judgment against such parties and expressly consent to the
confessing attorney receiving a legal fee from the holder for confessing such
judgment against such parties.

         Section 6. Conditions Precedent. Simultaneously with the execution
hereof, the Bank shall receive all of the following, each dated the date hereof,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank:

                  6.1. The certificate of an officer of the Company certifying
the resolutions of the board of directors of the Company evidencing
authorization of the execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment No.
1, the $12,800,000 Revolving Credit Note dated as of the date hereof, the
$23,000,000 Term Promissory Note dated as of the date hereof, Amendment No. 1 to
the Third Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof
and such other instruments and agreements contemplated hereby (collectively, the
"Loan Documents") and all documents evidencing other necessary corporate action
and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to the Loan Documents, or the
transactions contemplated.

                  6.2. Executed versions of the Loan Documents.

                  6.3. Payment of an $80,000 amendment fee.

                  6.4. Such other documents as the Bank may, in its reasonable
discretion, so require.

         Section 7. Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties; No
Defaults. The Company hereby expressly acknowledges and confirms that the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4 of the
Agreement, as amended, are true and accurate on this date with the same effect
as if made on and as of this date; that no financial condition or circumstance
exists which would inevitably result in the occurrence of an Event of Default
under Section 7 of the Agreement; and that no event has occurred or no condition
exists which constitutes, or with the running of time or the giving of notice
would constitute an Event of Default under Section 7 of the Agreement.

         Section 8. Reaffirmation of Documents. Except as herein expressly
modified, the parties hereto ratify and confirm all of the terms, conditions,
warranties and covenants of the Agreement, and all security agreements, pledge
agreements, mortgage deeds, assignments, subordination agreements, or other
instruments or documents executed in connection with the Agreement, including
provisions for the payment of the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.
The parties hereto agree that this Amendment No. 1 does not constitute the
extinguishment of any obligation or indebtedness previously incurred nor does it
in any manner affect or impair any security interest granted to the Bank, all of
such security interests to be continued in full force and effect until the
indebtedness described herein is fully satisfied.

<PAGE>

                  The parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 as of the date
first above written.

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.

MAX & ERMA'S RESTAURANTS, INC.              THE PROVIDENT BANK

By:                                         By:
   -------------------------------            ----------------------------------
Name: William C. Niegsch, Jr.               Name: Michael D. Davis
Its:  Chief Financial Officer               Its:  Vice President

Address for Notices:                        Address for Notices:

4849 Evanswood Drive                        10 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43229                          Columbus, OH 43215
Attn: William C. Niegsch, Jr.               Attention: Michael D. Davis
Telephone No.: 614-431-5800                 Telephone No.: 614-221-0388
                                            Telecopy No.: 614-221-0875

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A-6

                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

================================================================================

$12,800,000                                                       Columbus, Ohio
                                                                  April 30, 2002

================================================================================

         On or before the later to occur of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date
or the Extended Maturity Date, for value received, the undersigned, MAX & ERMA'S
RESTAURANTS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby promises to
pay to the order of THE PROVIDENT BANK, an Ohio banking association (the "Bank")
or its assigns, as further provided herein, the principal amount of Twelve
Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,800,000) or, if such principal is
less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all loans made by the Bank to the
Company pursuant to this Revolving Credit Note under the Agreement referred to
in Section 1 hereof, together with interest on the unpaid principal balance from
time to time outstanding hereunder until paid in full at the rates determined in
accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4 of the Agreement, payable
quarterly on the last day of each January, April, July, and October, commencing
on the first such date following the date hereof. Both principal and interest
are payable in federal funds or other immediately available money of the United
States of America at the Main Office of the Bank, One East Fourth Street,
Columbus, Ohio 45202.

         SECTION 1. LOAN AGREEMENT. This Revolving Credit Note is the Revolving
Note referred to in the Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement
dated as of October 19, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of the date
hereof (the "Agreement") among the Company and the Bank, as the same may be
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, which Agreement, as
amended, is incorporated by reference herein. All capitalized terms used herein
shall have the same meanings as are assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
This Revolving Credit Note is entitled to the benefits of and is subject to the
terms, conditions and provisions of the Agreement and the Security Agreements
referred to therein. The Agreement, among other things, contains provisions for
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events,
and also for repayments and reborrowings on account of the principal hereof
prior to maturity upon the terms, conditions and provisions specified.

         SECTION 2. CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. The undersigned Company and all
indorsers authorize any attorney at law, including an attorney engaged by the
holder, to appear in any court of record in Columbus, Ohio, after the
indebtedness evidenced hereby, or any part thereof, becomes due and waive the
issuance and service of process and confess judgment against the undersigned and
all indorsers in favor of the holder, for the amount then appearing due,
together with costs of suit and, thereupon, to release all errors and waive all
rights of appeal and stay of execution. The foregoing warrant of attorney shall
survive any judgment ; and if any judgment be vacated for any reason, the holder
hereof nevertheless may thereafter use the foregoing warrant of attorney to
obtain an additional judgment or judgments against the undersigned and all
indorsers or any one or more of them. The undersigned and all indorsers hereby
expressly waive any conflict of interest that the holder's attorney may have in
confessing such judgment against such parties and expressly consent to the
confessing attorney receiving a legal fee from the holder for confessing such
judgment against such parties.

<PAGE>

         SECTION 3. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BANK AND THE COMPANY HEREBY
VOLUNTARILY, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY
PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR
OTHERWISE, BETWEEN THE BANK AND THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH,
RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE BANK AND
THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THIS NOTE, OR ANY OTHER
AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH
OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT TO THE BANK TO ENTER INTO THE FINANCING TRANSACTION. IT SHALL NOT IN
ANY WAY AFFECT, WAIVE, LIMIT, AMEND OR MODIFY THE BANK'S ABILITY TO PURSUE ITS
REMEDIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT OR COGNOVIT
PROVISION CONTAINED IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO
OR THERETO.

         The Company has caused this Revolving Credit Note to be duly executed
by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

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.

MAX & ERMA'S RESTAURANTS, INC.

By: /s/ William C. Niegsch, Jr.
    ---------------------------
Name: William C. Niegsch, Jr.
Its:  Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A-7

                              TERM PROMISSORY NOTE

================================================================================

$23,000,000                                                       Columbus, Ohio
                                                                  April 30, 2002

================================================================================

         For value received, the undersigned, MAX & ERMA'S RESTAURANTS, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby promises to pay to the order of THE
PROVIDENT BANK, an Ohio banking corporation, individually and as agent (the
"Bank") or its assigns, as further provided herein, the principal amount of
Twenty Three Million Dollars ($23,000,000) as provided in the Loan Agreement (as
defined in Section 1 below) on the dates specified in Section 2 hereof, with all
unpaid principal payable on the Term Loan Maturity Date. Both principal and
interest are payable in federal funds or other immediately available money of
the United States of America at the offices of the Bank at 10 West Broad Street,
Columbus, Ohio.

         SECTION 1. LOAN AGREEMENT. This Term Promissory Note is the Term Note
referred to in the Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated
as of October 19, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of the date
hereof (the "Loan Agreement") between the Company and the Bank, as the same may
be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by
reference herein. All capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings
as are assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement. This Note is entitled to
the benefits of and is subject to the terms, conditions and provisions of the
Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement, among other things, contains provisions for
acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events,
and for repayments of principal prior to maturity hereof upon the terms,
conditions and provisions specified therein.

         SECTION 2. PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS. The principal hereof shall
be payable in quarterly installments of $600,000 commencing May 1, 2002 and
continuing until all remaining unpaid principal and interest is paid in full, as
the same may be adjusted as provided in the Loan Agreement. Interest shall be
paid at the terms and at the rates specified in Section 1.4 of the Loan
Agreement.

         SECTION 3. CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. The undersigned and all indorsers
authorize any attorney at law, including an attorney engaged by the holder, to
appear in any court of record in Columbus, Ohio, after the indebtedness
evidenced hereby, or any part thereof, becomes due and waive the issuance and
service of process and confess judgment against any one or more than one of the
undersigned and all indorsers in favor of the holder, for the amount then
appearing due, together with costs of suit and, thereupon, to release all errors
and waive all rights of appeal and stay of execution, but no such judgment or
judgments against any one of the undersigned shall be a bar to a subsequent
judgment or judgments against any one or more than one of such persons against
whom judgment has not been obtained hereon. The foregoing warrant of attorney
shall survive any judgment; and if any judgment be vacated for any reason, the
holder hereof nevertheless may thereafter use the foregoing warrant of attorney
to obtain an additional judgment or judgments against the undersigned and all
indorsers or any one or more of them. The undersigned and all indorsers hereby
expressly waive any conflict of interest that the holder's attorney may have in
confessing such judgment against such parties and expressly consent to the

<PAGE>

confessing attorney receiving a legal fee from the holder for confessing such
judgment against such parties.

         SECTION 4. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE BANK AND THE COMPANY HEREBY
VOLUNTARILY, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY
PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR
OTHERWISE, BETWEEN THE BANK AND THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH,
RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE BANK AND
THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THIS NOTE, OR ANY OTHER
AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH
OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT TO THE BANK TO ENTER INTO THE FINANCING TRANSACTION. IT SHALL NOT IN
ANY WAY AFFECT, WAIVE, LIMIT, AMEND OR MODIFY THE BANK'S ABILITY TO PURSUE ITS
REMEDIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT OR COGNOVIT
PROVISION CONTAINED IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO
OR THERETO.

         The Borrower has caused this Term Promissory Note to be duly executed
by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

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.

                                       MAX & ERMA'S RESTAURANTS, INC.

                                       By: /s/ William C. Niegsch, Jr.
                                           ---------------------------
                                       Name: William C. Niegsch, Jr.
                                       Its:  Chief Financial OfficerExecuted in 6 Parts
                                             Counterpart No. (   )

                              NATIONAL EQUITY TRUST
                           TOP TEN PORTFOLIO SERIES 39
                            REFERENCE TRUST AGREEMENT

     This  Reference  Trust  Agreement  dated  ________,  2003 among  Prudential
Investment   Management  Services  LLC,  as  Depositor,   Prudential  Securities
Incorporated,  as Portfolio Supervisor and The Bank of New York, as Trustee sets
forth certain  provisions in full and incorporates other provisions by reference
to the document entitled  "National Equity Trust, Trust Indenture and Agreement"
(the "Basic Agreement") dated February 2, 2000. Such provisions as are set forth
in full herein and such provisions as are incorporated by reference constitute a
single instrument (the "Indenture").

                                WITNESSETH THAT:

     In  consideration  of the  premises  and of the  mutual  agreements  herein
contained, the Depositor and the Trustee agree as follows: Part I.

                     STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST

     Subject to the provisions of Part II hereof,  all the provisions  contained
in the Basic  Agreement are herein  incorporated  by reference in their entirety
and  shall be deemed  to be a part of this  instrument  as fully and to the same
extent as though said provisions had been set forth in full in this instrument.

A.   Article I, entitled "Definitions," shall be amended as follows:

(i)  Section  1.01-Definitions  shall be amended to add the following definition
     at the end thereof:

<PAGE>

                                      -2-

     "Portfolio  Supervisor" of the Trust shall have the meaning  assigned to it
in Part II of the Reference Trust Agreement.

B.   Article  III,  entitled  "Administration  of  Trust,"  shall be  amended as
     follows:

     (i) The third  paragraph of Section  3.05-Distribution  shall be amended by
deleting any reference to Depositor and replacing it with Portfolio Supervisor.

     (ii)  Section  3.14-Deferred  Sales  Charge  shall  be  amended  to add the
following sentences at the end thereof:

"References to Deferred Sales Charge in this Trust Indenture and Agreement shall
include any Creation and  Development  Fee  indicated  in the  prospectus  for a
Trust.  The  Creation  and  Development  Fee  shall be  payable  on each date so
designated  and in an amount  determined  as specified in the  prospectus  for a
Trust."

C.   Article VIII, entitled "Depositor," shall be amended as follows:

     (i) Section 8.07-Compensation shall be amended by deleting any reference to
Depositor and replacing it with Portfolio Supervisor.

D.   Article IX,  entitled  "Additional  Covenants;  Miscellaneous  Provisions,"
     shall be amended as follows:

     (i) The first sentence of Section 9.05 - Written Notice shall be amended by
deleting the language "Prudential Securities  Incorporated at One Seaport Plaza,
New  York,  New  York  10292"  and  replacing  it  with  "Prudential  Investment
Management LLC at 100 Mulberry Street,  Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey
07102".

                                    Part II.

                     SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST

     The following special terms and conditions are hereby agreed to:

<PAGE>

                                      -3-

A.   The Trust is denominated  National Equity Trust,  Top Ten Portfolio  Series
     39.

B.   The Units of the Trust shall be subject to a deferred sales charge.

C.   The publicly traded stocks listed in Schedule A hereto are those which,
     subject to the terms of this Indenture, have been or are to be deposited in
     Trust under this Indenture as of the date hereof.

D.   The term "Depositor" shall mean Prudential  Investment  Management Services
     LLC.

E.   The  term  "Portfolio   Supervisor"   shall  mean   Prudential   Securities
     Incorporated.

F.   The aggregate number of Units referred to in Sections 2.03 and 9.01 of the
      Basic Agreement is          as of the date hereof.

G.   A Unit of the Trust is hereby declared initially equal to 1/     th of the
     Trust.

H.   The term "First Settlement Date" shall mean                        , 2003.

I.   The terms  "Computation  Day" and "Record Date" shall mean on the tenth day
     of            2003,          2003,        2003 and                2004.

J.   The term "Distribution Date" shall mean on the twenty-fifth  day
     of            2003,          2003,        2003 and                2004.

K.   The term "Termination Date" shall mean          , 2004.

L.   The Trustee's Annual Fee shall be $.90 (per 1,000 Units) for 49,999,999 and
     below  units  outstanding  $.84 (per  1,000  Units) on the next  50,000,000
     Units,  $.78 (per 1,000 Units) on the next 100,000,000  Units and $.66 (per
     1,000 Units) on Units in excess of 200,000,000  Units.  In calculating  the
     Trustee's annual fee, the fee applicable to the number of units outstanding
     shall apply to all units outstanding.

M.   The Depositor's  Portfolio  supervisory service fee shall be $.25 per 1,000
     Units.

               [Signatures and acknowledgments on separate pages]

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