Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

         THIS LEASE AGREEMENT (this "Lease") made and entered into on this 30th
day of November, 2001, by and between NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC., a
California corporation ("Landlord"), and ACUITY BRANDS, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Tenant");

                                   WITNESSETH:

         For and in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth below,
Landlord and Tenant do hereby agree as follows:

         1.       LEASE OF PREMISES. Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions herein provided, Landlord does hereby rent, lease, and demise to
Tenant approximately 50,000 square feet of space (the "Premises"), which
Premises includes that office space occupied by employees of Tenant on the date
of the spin-off of Tenant from Landlord located on the 2nd, 7th and 8th Floors
of that certain building located at 1420 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia
(the "Building"), together with the common areas of the Building, including but
not limited to, the underground parking facilities, lobby and 4th Floor of the
Building, together with all and singular the rights, privileges, and
appurtenances thereto belonging or in any wise appertaining.

         2.       TERM AND RENTALS. The term of this Lease shall be for a period
of four (4) months, commencing on the 1st day of December, 2001, and terminating
on the 31st day of March, 2002; provided that Tenant shall have the right, upon
one month written notice to Landlord, to extend the term of the Lease for a
period one month at the monthly rental rate set forth in the following sentence.
For the entire term hereof, Tenant agrees to pay Landlord as monthly rental
hereunder the sum of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars and No/100 Dollars
($120,000). All rental provided for hereunder shall be due and payable on the
first day of each month, with rent being prorated for partial months.

         3.       USE. Tenant shall use and occupy the Premises solely for
general office use, and no other purpose. Tenant shall comply with all laws
applicable to the use, occupancy and condition of the Premises. Tenant shall not
conduct or permit any activities on or about the Premises that would constitute
a nuisance or otherwise interfere with other occupants of the Building.

<PAGE>

         4.       REPAIRS. Landlord shall, for the entire term of this Lease,
maintain and keep in good working order, repair, and condition the structural
integrity of the Building, including the roof and exterior walls.

         During the term of this Lease, except as otherwise provided above with
respect to the maintenance and repair requirements of Landlord, Tenant will
maintain the Premises in as good order and repair as at commencement of this
Lease (ordinary wear and tear excepted), will remove or cause to be removed any
and all rubbish and refuse matter from the Premises, and at the termination of
the term, will deliver up the Premises in substantially as good condition,
order, and repair as at commencement of this Lease, except for ordinary wear and
tear and damage by fire or other casualties.

         5.       INSURANCE. Landlord shall maintain during the term of this
Lease insurance against loss or damage to all of the improvements on the
Premises resulting from fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief,
earthquake, flood, collapse, and other all risk perils in commercially
reasonable amounts. Tenant shall, at Tenant's sole cost and expense, but for the
mutual benefit of Landlord and Tenant, maintain workers' compensation coverage
as required by law and general public liability insurance coverage against
claims for personal injury, death, or property damage occurring upon, in, or
about the Premises, such insurance to afford protection to the limit of not less
than Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) combined single limit coverage and name
Landlord as additional insured. In addition, Tenant shall maintain commercially
reasonable insurance coverage against loss or damage to Tenant's personal
property located upon the Premises.

         Insurance required hereunder must be written by a company authorized to
do business in Georgia, subject to the approval of Landlord, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld. Each policy of insurance will be endorsed to
provide that Landlord will receive at least thirty (30) days' prior written
notice of any cancellation of, or material change in, said policy. Tenant shall
not cause any insurance to be cancelled nor permit any insurance to lapse
without thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Landlord. A certificate
evidencing liability insurance required to be maintained by Tenant hereunder
naming Landlord as an additional insured shall be delivered to Landlord upon the
execution of this Lease.

         6.       CASUALTY LOSS. In the event the Building is damaged or
destroyed during the term hereof by fire, storm, tornado, or other casualty of
nature, or otherwise, so as to render the Premises wholly untenantable and unfit
for use, then and in such event, Landlord or Tenant may, at the option of
either, immediately terminate said Lease. If neither party terminates, then
Landlord shall proceed with reasonable speed and dispatch to repair and
reconstruct the Building so damaged or destroyed and shall restore the same to
its former tenantable condition, in which event, the terms, provisions, and
operative effect of this Lease shall be unaffected by said fire, storm, tornado,
or other casualty of nature, except that the rent due and payable hereunder
shall abate and cease for the period during which the restoration of the
Premises is being completed, but shall become immediately payable as herein
provided at such time as the Premises becomes tenantable, as determined in
Landlord's reasonable discretion. Notwithstanding anything in this

<PAGE>

Lease to the contrary, there shall be no abatement of rent after a casualty to
the extent that the damage occurred due to fault or neglect on the part of
Tenant, its employees, servants, agents, representatives, or invitees.

         7.       WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. Tenant and Landlord each hereby waive
any and all rights of recovery against the other, or against the officers,
employees, agents, and representatives of the other, for loss of or damage to
such waiving party or its property or the property of others under its control
or any loss or damage, including consequential loss, to the Premises, or
contents thereof belonging to either, caused by any risk required to be insured
against hereunder, regardless of whether such risk was actually insured.

         8.       SIGNS. Tenant shall not erect any signs in or upon the
Premises or the Building or the property on which they are located without
Landlord's prior approval in writing. Tenant shall be liable for the payment of
any municipal charges or minor privilege tax levied by reason of the erection
and maintenance of such signs. At the termination of this Lease, Tenant shall
remove all signs installed by Tenant and any damage resulting from the
installation and/or removal of such sign will be repaired by Tenant.

         9.       DEFAULT BY TENANT. Tenant shall be in default under this Lease
in the event that it (A) fails to pay rent for ten (10) days after it is due
hereunder, or (B) fails to perform or comply with any other provision hereof for
a period of thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice thereof from
Landlord; provided that if, such failure cannot reasonably be cured within
thirty (30) days, then Tenant shall have an additional period of time, not to
exceed sixty (60) days, to cure such failure, so long as Tenant has commenced
and is diligently pursuing appropriate actions to cure such failure. Upon a
default by Tenant, Tenant's right to the further possession of the Premises
shall terminate and Landlord shall become and be entitled to immediate
possession of the Premises, provided Landlord shall so elect, but not otherwise.
Landlord shall thereupon immediately have the full right of re-entry upon the
Premises, by force or otherwise, to the extent permitted by the applicable law
then in force, and without formal notice or demand, and without liability of any
kind; and also the right, but not the obligation, to re-let the Premises for any
unexpired balance of the term, and collect the rent therefor. In the event of
such re-letting by Landlord, the re-letting shall be for such duration (which
may extend beyond the unexpired balance of the term) and on such other terms,
conditions, and rental as Landlord may deem proper, and the proceeds that may be
collected from the same, less the expense of re-letting (including reasonable
leasing costs, fees, and commissions and reasonable costs of renovating the
Premises), shall be applied upon Tenant's rental obligation as set forth in this
Lease for the unexpired portion of the Lease term. Tenant shall be liable for
any balance that may be due under this Lease, although Tenant shall have no
further right of possession of the Premises. Such re-entry by Landlord and any
such re-letting shall not operate as a termination of this Lease, unless
Landlord shall so elect, nor as a waiver or postponement of any right of
Landlord against Tenant. Landlord shall have the further right, in the event of
Tenant's default as aforesaid, and irrespective of whether Landlord shall have
elected to terminate Tenant's right to the further possession of the Premises,
to declare the entire rent for the unexpired portion of the Lease term to be
immediately due and payable and to collect the same by any manner not

<PAGE>

inconsistent with applicable law. Mention in this Lease of any particular remedy
shall not preclude Landlord from any other remedy, in law or in equity. To the
extent permitted by law, Tenant hereby consents to summary proceedings in
connection with Landlord's re-entry of the Premises, and expressly waives any
and all rights of redemption, granted by or under any present or future laws in
the event of Tenant being evicted or dispossessed for any cause, or in the event
of Landlord obtaining possession of the Premises, by reason of the violation by
Tenant of any of the covenants and conditions of this Lease, or otherwise.

         10.      SUBLEASE AND ASSIGNMENT. Tenant shall not have the right to
assign this Lease, or sublet the Premises, or any other part thereof, at any
time during the term hereof, without Landlord's prior written consent which may
be granted or withheld in Landlord's sole discretion. Any attempted assignment
or sublease without the prior written consent of Landlord shall be of no legal
force and effect. If Tenant assigns this Lease or sublets the Premises with
Landlord's consent, Tenant shall remain liable for all terms and covenants of
this Lease including, without limitation, the covenant to pay rent.

         11.      INDEMNIFICATION. Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for all
liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including attorney's fees) which may
be incurred or sustained by Landlord by reason of Tenant's breach of any of the
provisions of this Lease. Landlord shall be liable to Tenant for all
liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including attorney's fees) which may
be incurred or sustained by Tenant by reason of Landlord's breach of any of the
provisions of this Lease.

         12.      NOTICES. Notices to Landlord shall be given in writing by mail
or by fax to it at: 1420 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309,
Attention: General Counsel, FAX Number (404) 853-1015 or such other address or
number as Landlord may from time to time designate by written notice to Tenant.
Notices to Tenant shall be given in writing by mail or by fax to Tenant at: 1420
Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3002, Attention: General Counsel,
FAX Number (404) 853-1415, or such other address or number as it may from time
to time designate by written notice to Landlord. Notices hereunder shall be
effective upon receipt.

         13.      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Lease shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of Landlord and
Tenant.

         14.      TIME.  Time is and shall be of the essence hereof.

         15.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement
between Landlord and Tenant with respect to the lease of the Premises and
supersedes all prior discussions, understandings, and agreements with respect
thereto.

         16.      AMENDMENT; WAIVER. This Lease may not be modified or amended
except by written instrument executed by Landlord and Tenant. No waiver of any
provision hereof shall be effective unless in a writing executed by the party
against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced.

<PAGE>

         17.      LATE CHARGE. All payments or installments of any rent
(including additional rent) hereunder and all sums whatsoever due under this
Lease, shall be paid to Landlord at the address designated by Landlord, and if
not paid within ten (10) days of when due, shall be subject to a late charge
equal to three percent (3%) of the amount of the late payment for each late
payment and shall bear interest at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum
(but not more than the maximum allowable legal rate applicable to Tenant) until
paid. If either party engages an attorney to enforce its rights under this
Lease, the nonprevailing party shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses of
such attorney actually incurred by the prevailing party.

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands
and seals as of the day first above written.

                                            LANDLORD:

ATTEST OR WITNESS:                          NATIONAL SERVICE
                                            INDUSTRIES, INC.

By:  /s/ Carol E. Morgan                    By: /s/ Brock A. Hattox
     -------------------------------            -------------------------------
         Carol E. Morgan                            Brock A. Hattox
                                                    Executive Vice President
                                                      and Chief Financial
                                                      Officer
[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                            TENANT:

ATTEST OR WITNESS:                          ACUITY BRANDS, INC.

By:  /s/ Kenyon W. Murphy                   By: /s/ James S. Balloun
------------------------------------            -------------------------------
         Kenyon W. Murphy                           James S. Balloun
                                                    Chairman, President and
                                                       CEO

[CORPORATE SEAL]<PAGE>

                          FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 23, 2001

                                       TO

                                    INDENTURE

                          DATED AS OF JANUARY 26, 1999

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

                                     BETWEEN

                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                       AND

                        SUNTRUST BANK, FORMERLY KNOWN AS
                       SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA, AS TRUSTEE

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

                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

<PAGE>

         FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of October 23, 2001 (this "First
Supplemental Indenture"), between NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (said corporation, together with its successors and assigns, herein
referred to as "NSI"), L & C SPINCO, INC., a Delaware corporation (said
corporation, together with its successors and assigns, herein referred to as the
"Company"), L & C LIGHTING GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company (said corporation, together with its successors
and assigns, herein referred to as "Lightco"), THE ZEP GROUP, INC., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (said corporation,
together with its successors and assigns, herein referred to as "Chemco"), and
SUNTRUST BANK, formerly known as SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA, a Georgia banking
corporation, as trustee (said corporation, together with its successors and
assigns, herein referred to as the "Trustee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, NSI and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of
January 26, 1999 (the "Indenture"), pursuant to which NSI issued its 8.375%
Notes due August 1, 2010 (the "2010 Notes"), and its 6% Notes due 2009 (the
"2009 Notes" and collectively with the 2010 Notes, the "Notes");

         WHEREAS, NSI and its subsidiaries have transferred to the Company all
of the assets comprising NSI's lighting equipment and chemicals businesses in
connection with the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan
of Distribution between NSI and the Company (the "Distribution Agreement"),
pursuant to which all the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company will
be distributed to NSI's stockholders (the "Spin-Off");

         WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 801 of the Indenture, NSI may convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
other corporation, partnership or trust organized and existing under the laws of
the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
provided that such Person shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture
executed and delivered to the Trustee and in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest (including any Additional Amounts, if any) on all the Securities and
the performance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of NSI to be
performed or observed;

         WHEREAS, the Company will assume all the rights and obligations of, and
succeed to and be substituted for, NSI under the Indenture and the Securities;

         WHEREAS, in addition, Lightco and Chemco, jointly and severally with
the Company, will assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of and
interest on the Securities;

         WHEREAS, to evidence the assumption of the obligations under the
Indenture and the Securities by the Company and the release of NSI from its
liabilities and obligations under or with respect to the Notes and the Indenture
in accordance with Sections 801 and 802 of the Indenture, the Company has agreed
to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture;

                                       2
<PAGE>

         WHEREAS, NSI has delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Trustee,
an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel meeting the requirements of
Section 801(c) of the Indenture;

         WHEREAS, NSI and the Trustee have received from the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the 2009 Notes and the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the 2010 Notes a direction and consent to enter into this
First Supplemental Indenture;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the Company,
Lightco and the Trustee agree, for the benefit of the other, NSI and for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                            ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS

         Section 101. Assumption of Obligations under Indenture. The Company
hereby fully and unconditionally assumes the due and punctual payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional
Amounts, if any) on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of
the Indenture on the part of NSI to be performed or observed.

         Section 102. Assumption of Notes. Lightco and Chemco, jointly and
severally with the Company, hereby fully and unconditionally assumes the due and
punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the Securities.

                                   ARTICLE II

                             RELEASE OF OBLIGATIONS

         Section 201. Release of NSI from Obligations. The Trustee, on behalf of
the Holders of the Securities, hereby relieves NSI from all covenants and
obligations under the Notes, the Securities, and the Indenture, effective upon
the "Effective Time" (as defined in the Distribution Agreement).

                                  ARTICLE III

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         Section 301. Terms Defined. For all purposes of this First Supplemental
Indenture, capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         Section 302. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution and
delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture by NSI, the Company, Lightco,
Chemco and the Trustee, the Indenture shall be supplemented in accordance
herewith, and this First Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the
Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Securities heretofore or
hereafter authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be bound
thereby. In accordance with Section 802 of the Indenture, upon the execution and
delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture by NSI, the Company, Lightco,
Chemco and the Trustee, the Company shall succeed to and be substituted for NSI
with the same effect as if it had been named therein as the party of the first
part and NSI shall be released and relieved as heretofore agreed.

         Section 303. Indenture and Supplemental Indenture Construed Together.
This First Supplemental Indenture is an indenture supplemental to and in
implementation of the Indenture, and the Indenture and this First Supplemental
Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together.

         Section 304. Confirmation of Indenture. Except as amended by this First
Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified
and confirmed, and all the terms thereof shall remain in full force and effect.
The Trustee has no responsibility for correctness of the recitals of facts
herein contained, which shall be taken as the statements of NSI and the Company,
and makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this First
Supplemental Indenture and shall incur no liability or responsibility in respect
of the validity thereof.

         Section 305. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision of
this First Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any
provision of the Trust Indenture Act (the "Act") that is required under the Act
to be part of and govern any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture, the
provision of the Act shall control. If any provision of this Supplemental
Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Act that may be so modified
or excluded, the provision of the Act shall be deemed to apply to the Indenture
as so modified or to be excluded by this First Supplemental Indenture, as the
case may be.

         Section 306. Severability. In case any provision in this First
Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

         Section 307. Headings. The Article and Section headings of this First
Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are
not to be considered part of this First Supplemental Indenture and shall in no
way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

         Section 308. Benefits of Supplemental Indenture. Nothing in this First
Supplemental Indenture or the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any
Person, other than the parties hereto and thereto and their successors
hereunder, any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and Security Registrar, and
the Holders, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
the Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture or the Securities.

                                       4
<PAGE>

         Section 309. Certain Duties and Responsible of the Trustee. In entering
into this First Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to the
benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct of,
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, whether or
not elsewhere herein so provided.

         Section 310. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE INDENTURE
AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF
ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

         Section 311. Successors. All agreements of the Company, NSI, Chemco and
Lightco in this First Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective
successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this First Supplemental
Indenture shall bind the Holders of all Securities and all successors and
assigns of the Trustee or such Holders.

         Section 312. Multiple Counterparts. The parties may sign multiple
counterparts of this First Supplemental Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall
be deemed an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

         Section 313. Endorsement and Change of Form of Notes. Any Notes
authenticated and delivered after the date of this First Supplemental Indenture
in exchange or substitution for Notes then outstanding and all Notes presented
or delivered to the Trustee on and after that date for such purpose shall
(unless textually revised as hereinafter provided) be stamped or typewritten by
the Trustee with a notation as follows:

         "L&C Spinco, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), has assumed
         the obligations of National Service Industries, Inc. ("NSI") as
         successor to the NSI in connection with the transfer of the properties
         and assets of NSI substantially as an entirety. The Company has
         expressly assumed the due and punctual payment of the principal of and
         interest on all the Notes and the due and punctual performance and
         observance of all the covenants and obligations in the Indenture to be
         performed by NSI, and NSI will be relieved from all covenants and
         obligations under the Notes, the Securities and the Indenture in
         accordance with the First Supplemental Indenture referred to below. The
         Indenture dated as of January 26, 1999 referred to in this Note has
         been amended by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 23,
         2001 to provide for such assumptions of obligations by the Company and
         the release of NSI from such obligations. Reference is hereby made to
         said First Supplemental Indenture, copies of which are on file with
         SunTrust Bank, as Trustee, for a description of the amendments therein
         made."

         Any Notes hereafter authenticated and delivered in exchange or
substitution for Notes then outstanding shall, if the Company so elects, be
textually revised in a form approved by the

                                       5
<PAGE>

Trustee to make reference to the First Supplemental Indenture and to reflect the
supplement of the Indenture hereby instead of being stamped or typewritten as
hereinabove provided.

         Section 314. Effectiveness of First Supplemental Indenture. This First
Supplemental Indenture shall be effective upon the execution and delivery by
NSI, the Company, Lightco, Chemco and the Trustee.

         Section 315. Indemnification of Trustee. The Company, Lightco and
Chemco (collectively, the "Companies" and individually, a "Company"), each
agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trustee
and its officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel, and their respective
successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives and administrators
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") from and against, for and in respect
of, any and all Losses (as hereinafter defined), including, but not limited to,
those which might arise as a result of Litigation (as hereinafter defined) or
Third-Party Claims (as hereinafter defined), assessed against, or paid, suffered
or incurred by, any Indemnified Party which directly or indirectly result from
or are based upon, or arise out of: (i) the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement; (ii) the Transfer, the Spin-Off, the solicitation of
directions from the Holders and all other transactions described herein or in
the Distribution Agreement in connection therewith (collectively, the
"Transactions"); (iii) the inaccuracy, untruth, or breach of any representation,
warranty, statement or opinion made by any of the Companies or their respective
officers, agents or counsel pursuant to this Agreement or the Indenture, or
contained in any certificate, opinion or other document or paper furnished to
the Trustee by any of the Companies or their respective officers, agents or
counsel in connection herewith or the Indenture; (iv) any breach or failure to
perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the Indenture by NSI in
connection with the Transactions; or (v) any action or failure to act on the
part of the Trustee or any other Indemnified Party in connection with this
Agreement or the Indenture with respect to the Transactions. Notwithstanding
anything else herein contained, the foregoing indemnity shall not be applicable
to any Losses suffered or incurred by any Indemnified Party as result of such
Indemnified Party's negligence or bad faith.

         For purposes of this Section, the terms "Litigation," "Losses,"
"Third-Party Claim" and "Indemnification Claim" shall have the following
meanings:

         "Litigation" shall mean any demand, action, suit, cause of action,
claim, complaint, prosecution, formal, informal, or threatened examination,
investigation, hearing or other proceeding (whether civil, criminal or
administrative or involving any arbitration) relating to or affecting an
Indemnified Party.

         "Losses" shall mean any and all assessments, losses, diminution in
value, damages, (including direct, indirect, special and consequential damages
and sums paid in settlement of claims), liabilities, judgments, costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, interest, penalties, fines, reasonable
costs of investigation defense, and the reasonable fees and expenses of
attorneys and other advisors).

                                       6
<PAGE>

         "Third-Party Claim" shall mean any Litigation (including, without
limitation, a binding arbitration or an audit by any governmental or
administrative authority) that is instituted or threatened against an
Indemnified Party and which, if prosecuted successfully, could result in an
Indemnification Claim.

         "Indemnification Claim" shall mean any claim for indemnification
provided under this Section 315.

         Section 316. Trustee's Fees and Expenses. Without duplication with
respect to any obligation of the Companies under Section 315 hereof, the
Companies jointly and severally agree to pay the Trustee upon the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and thereafter upon receipt of a written request
therefor, fees and expenses of the Trustee incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the Transactions, including, without limitation, all attorney's
fees and expenses in connection with (i) the review, negotiation and preparation
of this Agreement and any and all documents, opinions, certificates and other
papers prepared in connection herewith and with the Transactions, (ii) the
administration or enforcement of the Indenture or this Agreement in connection
with the Transactions, and (iii) any administrative, judicial, arbitration or
other proceedings, or any investigations with respect thereto or in any way
related to this Agreement or the Indenture with respect to any of the
Transactions.

                   REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                      NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                      By:  /s/ Brock A. Hattox
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Brock A. Hattox
                                           Executive Vice President and CFO

                                      L & C SPINCO, INC.

                                      By:  /s/ James S. Balloun
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James S. Balloun
                                           President and CEO

                                      L & C LIGHTING GROUP, INC.

                                      By:  /s/ James S. Balloun
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James S. Balloun
                                           President and CEO

                                      THE ZEP GROUP, INC.

                                      By:  /s/ James S. Balloun
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James S. Balloun
                                           President and CEO

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                      SUNTRUST BANK, as Trustee

                                      By:  /s/ Ronald C. Painter
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Ronald C. Painter
                                           Group Vice President

                                       9

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