Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.43

                       AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 23,
1999, (the "AMENDMENT") relating to the Credit Agreement referenced below, by
and among FRESH FOODS, INC., a North Carolina corporation (the "COMPANY"), the
subsidiaries of the Company listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively
referred to as the "SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS" or individually referred to as a
"SUBSIDIARY BORROWER") (hereinafter, the Company and the Subsidiary Borrowers
are collectively referred to as the "BORROWERS" or individually referred to as a
"BORROWER"), each of those financial institutions identified as Lenders on the
signature pages hereto (together with each of their successors and assigns,
referred to individually as a "LENDER" and, collectively, as the "LENDERS"), and
FIRST UNION COMMERCIAL CORPORATION ("FUCC"), acting in the manner and to the
extent described in Article XIII of the Credit Agreement (in such capacity, the
"AGENT"). Terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

                               W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, a $75,000,000 credit facility was extended to the Borrowers
pursuant to the terms of that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 9, 1998
(as amended, modified or otherwise supplemented, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among
the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent;

         WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Credit Agreement be
amended as described herein; and

         WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to make such amendments;

         NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         (A)      AMENDMENTS.

                  1.       AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 1.1.

                           (a) The definition of Consolidated EBITDA is hereby
                  amended by adding the following proviso to the end thereof:

                           ; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that for purposes of calculating
                           Consolidated EBITDA, gains and losses incurred in
                           connection with the sale of (i) the membership
                           interests in Mom'n' Pop's Country Ham, LLC, (ii) the
                           Smokehouse, (iii) the Restaurant LLC's and (iv) the
                           Sale Assets shall be excluded.

                           (b) The definition of Consolidated Fixed Charges is
                  hereby amended by adding the words "(LESS interest income)"
                  following the words "all Consolidated Interest Expense" in
                  clause (i) thereof.

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                           (c) The definition of Eligible Real Property is
                  hereby amended and replaced in its entirety as follows:

                                    "ELIGIBLE REAL PROPERTY" shall mean the Fair
                           Market Value of the owned properties noted as such on
                           SCHEDULE 6.19 hereto and which are subject to a
                           valid, enforceable and first priority Lien in favor
                           of Agent, together with additional properties
                           acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
                           following the Closing Date which have been approved
                           by the Agent, which approval shall not be
                           unreasonably withheld.

                           (d) The definition entitled "FUNB Claremont
                  NonRestaurant Cash Collateral Account" is hereby changed to
                  "FUNB Cash Collateral Account" and all references to FUNB
                  Claremont NonRestaurant Cash Collateral Account in the Credit
                  Agreement are hereby changed accordingly.

                           (e) The following new definitions are added to
                  Section 1.1 in the alphabetically appropriate place:

                                    "MOM'N' POP'S LOAN" shall mean a revolving
                           credit loan in the amount of $500,000 made by the
                           Company to Mom'n' Pop's Country Ham, LLC to provide
                           working capital with a scheduled maturity date of
                           December 31, 1999.

                                    "HOGGS LOAN" shall mean the three-year
                           secured promissory note in the amount of $985,050
                           from Hoggs LLC made payable to Pierre Foods, LLC to
                           finance the sale by Pierre Foods, LLC of the
                           membership interests in Mom'n'Pop's Country Ham, LLC,
                           including the Smokehouse, to Hoggs, LLC.

                                    "RESTAURANT LLCs" shall mean, collectively,
                           Claremont Restaurant Group, LLC and Fresh Foods
                           Sales, LLC.

                                    "SALE ASSETS" shall mean those assets set
                           forth on Annex I attached to the Consent dated as of
                           August 5, 1999 by and among the Borrowers, the
                           Lenders and the Agent.

                                    "SMOKEHOUSE" shall mean the smokehouse
                           facility and related real property constituting a
                           portion of the Claremont Office property owned by
                           Fresh Foods, Inc.

                           (f) The definition of "Permitted Indebtedness" is
                  hereby amended by deleting clause (vii) thereof and
                  renumbering the remaining clauses accordingly.

                           (g) The definition of "Permitted Investments" is
                  hereby amended by deleting the word "and" following the words
                  "Permitted

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                  Acquisitions", inserting the following new clauses (vi) and
                  (vii) and renumbering the remaining clauses accordingly:

                                    (vi)    the Hoggs Loan;

                                    (vii)   the Mom'n' Pop's Loan; and

                           (h) The definition of Unfinanced Consolidated Capital
                  Expenditures is amended and replaced in its entirety as
                  follows:

                                    "UNFINANCED CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL
                           EXPENDITURES" shall mean, for any period, one hundred
                           percent (100%) of Consolidated Capital Expenditures
                           made during such period.

                  2. DELETIONS FROM SECTION 1.1. The following definitions in
         Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement are hereby deleted in their
         entirety:

                  Approved Restaurants, Cash Collateral Accounts, Consolidated
                  Restaurant Capital Expenditures, FUNB Claremont Restaurant
                  Cash Collateral Account, NonRestaurant Business and Restaurant
                  Business.

                  3. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2.1(b)(i)(B). Section 2.1(b)(i)(B) of
         the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new
         paragraph (4) and renumbering the remaining paragraphs accordingly:

                  (4) until such date as the Mom'n'Pop's Loan shall have been
                  repaid in full and terminated in accordance with the terms
                  thereof, a reserve equal to the unfunded portion of the
                  Mom'n'Pop's Loan; MINUS

                  4. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2.1(b)(i)(B)(3). Section
         2.1(b)(i)(B)(3) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and replaced
         in its entirety as follows:

                  (3) an amount equal to up to 70% of the Eligible Equipment and
                  Eligible Real Property determined as of its initial inclusion
                  into the Borrowing Base; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that on the last
                  day of each calendar quarter such initial amount shall be
                  reduced by an amount equal to 1/28th of such initial amount;
                  MINUS

                  5. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2.4(b). Section 2.4(b) of the Credit
         Agreement is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety as follows:

                  (b) (i) The Borrowers, individually or through the Company,
                  shall have each established and shall maintain lockboxes (the
                  "LOCKBOXES") with financial institutions, including First
                  Union, selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to
                  the Agent (the "LOCKBOX BANKS") and shall instruct all account
                  debtors on the Accounts of each Borrower to remit all payments
                  to its respective Lockboxes. All amounts received by the
                  Borrowers from any account debtor, in addition to all other
                  cash received

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                  from any other source including but not limited to proceeds
                  from asset sales and judgments, shall be promptly deposited
                  into the applicable Lockbox Account (as defined below).

                           (ii) Each Borrower, individually or through the
                  Company, the Agent and each Lockbox Bank shall enter into
                  three party agreements in the form of EXHIBIT I hereto (the
                  "LOCKBOX AGREEMENTS"), providing, among other things, for the
                  following:

                                    (A) The Borrowers, individually or through
                           the Company, will open and establish for the benefit
                           of the Agent on behalf of the Lenders an account at
                           each Lockbox Bank (each a "LOCKBOX ACCOUNT").

                                    (B) All receipts held in the Lockboxes shall
                           be remitted daily to the appropriate Lockbox Account.
                           All funds deposited into the Lockbox Accounts on any
                           Business Day shall be transferred to the FUNB Cash
                           Collateral Account. All funds transferred to the FUNB
                           Cash Collateral Account on any Business Day shall be
                           immediately credited to the FUNB Leverage Account.
                           All funds credited on any Business Day to the FUNB
                           Leverage Account shall be applied by the Agent on
                           such Business Day to reduce the then outstanding
                           balance of the Revolving Loans and to pay accrued
                           interest thereon and to pay any other outstanding
                           Obligations which are then due and payable. All
                           amounts received directly by the Borrowers from any
                           account debtor, in addition to all other cash
                           received from any other source including but not
                           limited to proceeds from asset sales and judgments,
                           shall be held in trust by the Borrowers and promptly
                           deposited into the applicable Lockbox Account.

                           (iii) All funds deposited into the FUNB Cash
                  Collateral Account shall immediately become the property of
                  the Agent and the Borrowers shall obtain the agreement by the
                  Lockbox Banks to waive any offset rights against the funds so
                  deposited. The Agent assumes no responsibility for the Lockbox
                  arrangements, including, without limitation, any claim of
                  accord and satisfaction or release with respect to deposits
                  accepted by the Lockbox Banks thereunder.

                           (iv) The Borrowers may close Lockboxes and/or open
                  new lockboxes with the prior written consent of the Agent and
                  subject to prior execution and delivery to the Agent of
                  lockbox agreements consistent with the provisions of this
                  SECTION 2.4(b) and in form and substance satisfactory to the
                  Agent and its counsel.

                  6. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 6.34. Section 6.34 of the Credit
         Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.

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                  7. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7.26. Section 7.26 of the Credit
         Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  7.26 ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE REAL PROPERTY.

                  If the Borrowers request that any additional real property be
         included within "Eligible Real Property", the Borrowers agree to
         provide the Agent with an appraisal regarding such property and
         additional items reasonably requested by the Agent (including
         environmental audits and the other items described in Section 7 of
         SCHEDULE 1.1B hereto).

                  8. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VIII.

                           (a) Sections 8.2 and 8.3 of the Credit Agreement are
                  hereby amended and replaced in their entirety as follows:

                  8.2 FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO.

                  The Borrowers shall maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of
         not less than (a) 1.0 to 1.0 as of the last day of each such fiscal
         quarter for any fiscal quarter ending on or before March 4, 2000 and
         (b) thereafter, 1.2 to 1.0 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.

                  8.3 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.

                  The Borrowers shall not make Consolidated Capital Expenditures
         during any fiscal year in excess of the following amounts (on a
         non-cumulative basis) for the fiscal year periods set forth below:

                  AMOUNT                    PERIOD
                  ------                    ------
                  $8,000,000                March 7, 1999 and
                                            all fiscal periods thereafter

                           (b) Section 8.4 of the Credit Agreement is hereby
                  deleted in its entirety and Section 8.5 of the Credit
                  Agreement is hereby renumbered as Section 8.4.

                  9. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.4. Section 9.4 of the Credit
         Agreement is hereby amended and replaced as follows:

                  9.4 NO CORPORATE CHANGES.

                  Merge, consolidate with any Person or otherwise alter or
         modify any Borrower's or any Subsidiary's Articles or Certificate of
         Incorporation or any operating agreement or any names or principal
         places of business or enter into or engage in any business, operation
         or activity other than the food service business;

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         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the Company and its Subsidiaries may consummate the
         Reorganization so long as the Company takes any and all steps and
         executes any and all documents requested by the Agent in connection
         therewith and pay all costs and expenses incurred by the Agent
         (including reasonable attorneys' fees) in connection therewith.

                  10. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9.8. Section 9.8 of the Credit
         Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the word "and" following the
         word "Person", adding the following new clause (b) and relettering the
         remaining clause as clause (c):

                  , (b) as set forth on Schedule 9.3 hereto, and

                  11. AMENDMENT TO SCHEDULE 6.30. Schedule 6.30 is hereby
         amended and replaced in its entirety with Amended Schedule 6.30
         attached hereto.

                  12. AMENDMENT TO SCHEDULE 6.34. Schedule 6.34 is hereby
         deleted in its entirety.

                  13. AMENDMENT TO OTHER SCHEDULES. The Schedules to the Credit
         Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement are hereby
         amended and replaced in their entirety by the revised Schedules
         attached hereto.

         (B) CONSENTS.

                  1. SALE OF RESTAURANT LLCs. Notwithstanding the prohibition
         contained in Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders hereby
         consent to the sale of all of the membership interests in Claremont
         Restaurant Group, LLC and Fresh Food Sales, LLC (collectively, the
         "Restaurant LLCs") by Fresh Foods, Inc. for aggregate Net Cash Proceeds
         of not less than $38,000,000, subject to normal and customary
         post-closing purchase price adjustments, and subject to the terms and
         conditions set forth herein. In connection with the sale of the
         Restaurant LLCs, the Lenders hereby authorize the Agent to release any
         and all Liens on the personal property, fixtures and real property used
         in connection with the business of the Restaurant LLCs.

                  2. SALE OF RETAINED ASSETS. Notwithstanding the prohibition
         contained in Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders hereby
         consent, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, to the
         sale of Bennetts Restaurant in Conover, NC and the sale of the Hudson
         Outparcel in Hudson, NC owned by the Restaurant LLC's and not being
         sold in connection with the sale referred to in Section 1 hereof (the
         "Retained Assets"), upon terms and conditions satisfactory to the
         Agent. In connection with the sale of the Retained Assets, the Lenders
         hereby authorize the Agent to release any and all Liens on the personal
         property, fixtures and real property comprising the Retained Assets.

                  3. RELEASE OF BORROWERS. The Lenders hereby consent to the
         release of the following Borrowers as parties to the Credit Agreement
         and the other Credit Documents, subject to the terms and conditions set
         forth herein:

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         Claremont Restaurant Group, LLC, Fresh Foods Restaurant Group, LLC,
         Spicewood, Inc., Fresh Foods Sales, LLC, Sagebrush of Tennessee, L.P.,
         Sagebrush of South Carolina, LLC, Sagebrush of North Carolina, LLC and
         Sunshine WSMP, Inc.

                  4. RELEASE OF COLLATERAL. The Agent hereby agrees to release
         its Liens on the Retained Assets and the personal property, fixtures
         and real property used in connection with the business of the
         Restaurant LLCs and their Subsidiaries, such releases to be held in
         escrow pending consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and
         the Agent's receipt of the proceeds thereof.

         (C) EXCLUSION OF RETAINED ASSETS FROM ELIGIBLE REAL PROPERTY. Any
assets sold by the Borrowers pursuant to paragraph 2 of the Consent dated as of
August 5, 1999 and the Retained Assets shall be excluded from the definition of
Eligible Real Property, and Eligible Real Property shall be reduced by
$20,635,000.

         (D) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) the
representations and warranties contained in Article VI of the Credit Agreement
are correct on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of such date
(except for those representations and warranties which by their terms relate
solely to an earlier date) and after giving effect to the amendments contained
herein, (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists under the Credit Agreement on
and as of the date hereof and after giving effect to the amendments contained
herein, (iii) it has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Amendment and to perform its obligations hereunder and has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
by it of this Amendment, (iv) it has duly executed and delivered this Amendment,
and this Amendment constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation
enforceable in accordance with its terms except as the enforceability thereof
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally or by general principles of equity and (v) as of
the date hereof, there has been no adverse change with respect to the
information contained in the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to
paragraph (D)(5) hereof.

         (E) PLEDGE AND GRANT OF SECURITY INTERESTS. Each of Pierre Foods, LLC
and the Company hereby acknowledge that (i) the three-year secured promissory
note evidencing the Hoggs Loan and (ii) the promissory note evidencing the
Mom'n' Pop's Loan (collectively, the "Pledged Notes") have been pledged to the
Agent and, in each case, constitute Collateral under the Security Agreement.

         (F) REPLACEMENT OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Borrowers hereby agree that
the outstanding Letters of Credit for the account of the Restaurant LLC's shall
be replaced with substitute letters of credit or other credit support acceptable
to the beneficiary thereof and such Letters of Credit shall have been cancelled
and delivered to the Issuing Bank not later than 60 days following the date
hereof. Until the Letters of Credit shall have been cancelled and delivered to
the Agent, the Agent and the Lenders shall maintain a reserve against the
Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the face amount of such Letters of Credit.
In the event such Letters of Credit have not been replaced, cancelled and
returned to the Agent within 60 days of the date

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hereof, the Borrower shall immediately deliver cash collateral to the Agent
equal to the face amount of such Letters of Credit.

         (G) CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. This Amendment shall be and become
effective when all of the conditions set forth in this paragraph shall have been
satisfied.

                  1. EXECUTION OF COUNTERPARTS OF AMENDMENT. The Agent shall
         have received counterparts of this Amendment, which collectively shall
         have been duly executed on behalf of each of the Borrowers, the Agent
         and the Lenders.

                  2. PREPAYMENT OF REVOLVING LOANS. The Borrowers shall prepay
         outstanding Revolving Loans under the Credit Agreement in an amount
         equal to the lesser of (a) the aggregate outstanding Revolving Loans
         under the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof and (b) the aggregate
         Net Cash Proceeds of the sale of (i) the Restaurant LLCs and all
         personal property, fixtures and real property used in connection with
         the business thereof and (ii) the Retained Assets, which prepayment
         shall be made from the Net Cash Proceeds of such sales.

                  3. BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. The Agent shall have received a
         Borrowing Base Certificate as of August 7, 1999, on a pro forma basis
         taking into account the transactions contemplated herein, substantially
         in the form of EXHIBIT L to the Credit Agreement, certified by the
         Chief Financial Officer of the Company and demonstrating availability
         of Loans permitted to be borrowed under the Credit Agreement, after
         giving effect to the sale of the Restaurant LLCs and the Retained
         Assets of at least $25,000,000.

                  4. LEGAL OPINION. The Agent shall have received a legal
         opinion of special counsel to the Borrowers as to the enforceability of
         this Amendment and such other matters as the Agent may reasonably
         request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

                  5. FAIRNESS OPINION. The Agent shall have received a copy of a
         favorable opinion from Bowles Hollowell Conner endorsing the sale of
         Mom'n' Pops Country Ham, LLC.

                  6. RESOLUTIONS. The Agent shall have received copies of
         resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrowers authorizing the
         transactions contemplated by this Amendment and certified as true and
         correct by an authorized officer of each such Borrower.

         (H) Except as expressly amended or modified by the terms hereof, the
Credit Agreement and each other Credit Document shall remain in full force and
effect. This Amendment shall not affect, modify or diminish the obligations of
the Borrowers which have accrued prior to the effectiveness of the provisions
hereof. This Amendment is a Credit Document executed pursuant to the Credit
Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly indicated therein) be construed,
administered and applied in accordance with the terms and provisions of the
Credit Agreement. At such time as this Amendment becomes effective, all
references in the Credit Agreement to the "Agreement" or the "Credit Agreement"
and all

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references in the other Credit Documents to the "Credit Agreement" shall be
deemed to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment. The
Borrowers affirm the liens and security interests created and granted in the
Credit Agreement and the Credit Documents and agree that this Amendment shall in
no manner adversely affect or impair such liens and security interests.

         (I) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Borrower
shall fail to comply with any of the undertakings, covenants and other
obligations contained in this Amendment within the time periods specified
herein, such failure shall constitute an Event of Default under the Credit
Agreement.

         (J) No Borrower has any counterclaims, offsets, credits or defenses to
the Credit Documents and the performance of its obligations thereunder, or if
any Borrower has any such claims, counterclaims, offsets, credits or defenses to
the Credit Documents or any transaction related to the Credit Documents, same
are hereby waived, relinquished and released in consideration of the Lenders'
execution and delivery of this Amendment.

         (K) The Borrowers agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the
Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this
Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of
Moore & Van Allen, PLLC.

         (L) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and it shall
not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for
more than one such counterpart.

         (M) This Amendment and the Credit Agreement as amended hereby shall be
governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
State of North Carolina.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart
of this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above
written.

COMPANY:                            FRESH FOODS, INC.

                                    By: /s/ JAMES E. HARRIS
                                        -----------------------
                                    Name:    James E. Harris
                                    Title:   Vice President

SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS:               CLAREMONT RESTAURANT GROUP, LLC

                                          BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                   its Sole Member

                                    FRESH FOODS RESTAURANT GROUP, LLC

                                          BY:      CLAREMONT RESTAURANT
                                                   GROUP, LLC, its Sole Member

                                                   BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                            its Sole Member

                                    FRESH FOODS PROPERTIES, LLC

                                          BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                   its Sole Member

                                    SPICEWOOD, INC.

                                    SUNSHINE WSMP, INC.

                                    FRESH FOODS SALES, LLC

                                          BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                   its Sole Member

<PAGE>   11

                                    PIERRE FOODS, LLC

                                          BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                   its Sole Member

                                     SAGEBRUSH OF TENNESSEE, L.P.

                                          BY:      SAGEBRUSH OF SOUTH
                                                   CAROLINA, LLC
                                                   General Partner

                                                   BY:      CLAREMONT RESTAURANT
                                                            GROUP, LLC, its Sole
                                                            Member

                                                            BY:     FRESH FOODS,
                                                                    INC., its
                                                                    sole member

                                     SAGEBRUSH OF NORTH CAROLINA, LLC

                                          BY:      CLAREMONT RESTAURANT
                                                   GROUP, LLC its Sole Member

                                                   BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                            its sole member

                                     SAGEBRUSH OF SOUTH CAROLINA, LLC

                                           BY:      CLAREMONT RESTAURANT
                                                    GROUP, LLC, its Sole Member

                                                    BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                             its sole member

<PAGE>   12

                                     PIERRE LEASING, LLC

                                          BY:      FRESH FOODS, INC.,
                                                   its Sole Member

                                                   By: /s/ JAMES E. HARRIS
                                                      -------------------------
                                                     Name:    James E. Harris
                                                     Title:   Vice President

<PAGE>   13

AGENT AND LENDERS:                          FIRST UNION COMMERCIAL CORPORATION,
                                            as Agent and a Lender

                                            By: /s/ TERRI K. LINS
                                                -------------------------------
                                            Name:  Terri K. Lins
                                            Title: Vice President

                                            BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
                                            (formerly NationsBank, N.A.),
                                            as a Lender

                                            By: /s/ Angela Peterson Leake
                                                -------------------------------
                                            Name:  Angela Peterson Leake
                                            Title: Vice President

                                            NATIONAL CITY COMMERCIAL
                                            FINANCE, INC.,
                                            as a Lender

                                            By: /s/ Joseph L. White
                                                -------------------------------
                                            Name:  Joseph L. White
                                            Title: SVP

                                            AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND
                                            TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO,
                                            as a Lender

                                            By: /s/ Dawn M. Dieter
                                                -------------------------------
                                            Name:  Dawn M. Dieter
                                            Title: Vice President<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.44

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT"), dated as of September
30, 1999, is among FAIRGROVE RESTAURANTS, LLC, a North Carolina limited
liability company (the "BUYER"), FRESH FOODS, INC., a North Carolina corporation
("FRESH FOODS"), and FRESH FOODS SALES, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability
company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Fresh Foods (the "SELLER").

         WHEREAS, Seller owns all of the assets (including real property) used
and useful in the operation of the Bennett's Bar-B-Que restaurant located in
Conover, North Carolina (the "RESTAURANT"); and

         WHEREAS, the parties have reached an understanding with respect to the
sale by the Seller and the purchase by the Buyer of certain assets used and
useful in the operation of the Restaurant;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
promises, agreements and covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties intending legally to be bound, hereby agree as follows:

                                    SECTION 1
                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS

         1.1 ACQUISITION OF ASSETS. On the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, the Seller agrees to sell to the Buyer, and the
Buyer agrees to purchase from the Seller, all of the assets and properties of
Seller used in the operation of the Restaurant, including without limitation the
following (all hereinafter referred to as the "PURCHASED ASSETS"):

                  (a) REAL PROPERTY. All of the Seller's right, title and
         interest in and to the real property listed on SCHEDULE 1.1(a),
         together with all buildings, fixtures and other improvements located
         thereon (the "PROPERTY");

                  (b) FURNITURE, FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY. All of the
         Seller's right, title and interest in and to the furniture, fixtures,
         equipment and machinery located on the premises of the Restaurant;

                  (c) VEHICLES. All of the Seller's right, title and interest in
         and to the motor vehicles listed on SCHEDULE 1.1(c);

                  (d) INVENTORY AND SUPPLIES. All inventory of food, wine, beer
         and soft drinks and all bar supplies, linen, china, silver, office
         supplies and other supplies located on the premises of the Restaurant;
         and

<PAGE>   2

                  (e) OTHER ASSETS. All of the Seller's right, title and
         interest in and to all licenses and other governmental permits and
         authorizations that relate to the Restaurant which Seller is permitted
         to assign; all the Seller's books and records used or generated in the
         operation of the Restaurant, including supplier lists and files, sales
         listings and vendor files and records, together with all other assets,
         tangible and intangible, owned by the Seller and used or useful in the
         operation of the Restaurant, provided, however, that Buyer shall
         provide Seller such access to the acquired books and records as Seller
         shall reasonably request for legitimate business purposes (including,
         without limitation, for the purpose of preparing tax returns, payroll
         reports or any other reports required of Seller).

         1.2 EXCLUDED ASSETS. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.1, the
Purchased Assets shall not include any of the following:

                  (a) Cash and cash equivalents; and

                  (b) All claims and rights of Seller in and to federal, state
         and local income tax refunds, credits, deductions and other tax
         benefits of Seller relating to the Restaurant and accruing prior to the
         effective time of the Closing (as defined herein).

         1.3 ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer shall assume the liabilities
and obligations of the Seller listed as balance sheet accounts under the heading
"Liabilities" on the September 6, 1999 balance sheet of the Restaurant attached
hereto as SCHEDULE 1.3, in such amounts as shall be accrued in such balance
sheet accounts as of the effective time and date of Closing (the "ASSUMED
LIABILITIES").

         1.4 EXCLUDED LIABILITIES. The Assumed Liabilities shall include no
liability or obligation of any kind or nature, whether known or unknown,
absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, due or to become due, of the
Seller or Fresh Foods, save only as provided in Section 1.3. The liabilities of
the Seller and Fresh Foods not assumed by the Buyer hereunder are called
"EXCLUDED LIABILITIES" in this Agreement.

         1.5 PURCHASE PRICE. In full consideration for the sale and transfer of
the Purchased Assets, and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement, the Buyer covenants and agrees to deliver to the Seller, not
later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on October 4, 1999, a certified check in an
amount equal to the sum of (i) $1,100,000 plus (ii) the total dollar amount of
expenditures made by the Seller in connection with certain agreed-upon
improvements and repairs to the Restaurant made outside of the ordinary course
of business and for the benefit of the Buyer in contemplation of the
transactions provided for in this Agreement, as determined by the Seller
(reasonably and in good faith). SCHEDULES 1.5(a) and 1.5(b) attached hereto
list, to the best knowledge of the Seller as of the date of this Agreement, the
expenditures referenced in clause (ii) above, which will be updated based upon
final accounting as of the effective time and date of Closing.

         1.6 RELATED AGREEMENTS. The following agreements shall be executed and
delivered at the Closing by the parties thereto (collectively, the "RELATED
AGREEMENTS"):

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                  (a) DEED. A deed in the form of EXHIBIT 1.6(A) (the "DEED").

                  (b) BILL OF SALE. A bill of sale in the form of EXHIBIT 1.6(b)
         (the "BILL OF SALE").

                  (c) ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT. An assumption agreement in the form
         of EXHIBIT 1.6(c) (the "ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT").

                  (d) FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS. Fresh Foods shall cause Claremont
         Restaurant Group, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company and
         wholly-owned subsidiary of Fresh Foods ("CLAREMONT"), to execute and
         deliver a Termination and Release Agreement, and Fresh Foods shall
         cause Claremont to, and Buyer shall, execute and deliver a Third
         Addendum to Franchise Agreement, each with respect to the parties'
         franchise relationship with Bennett's Bar-B-Que, Inc.

                                    SECTION 2
            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND FRESH FOODS

         Seller and Fresh Foods, acknowledging that Buyer is relying on the
following representations and warranties in entering into this Agreement, hereby
jointly and severally represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:

         2.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Seller is a limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
North Carolina. Seller has the requisite power and authority to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted.

         2.2 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by each of Seller and Fresh Foods and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of each of them, enforceable
against each of them in accordance with its terms. Each of Seller and Fresh
Foods has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement. Seller
has all requisite power and authority to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. No further action is required on the part of either of
Seller or Fresh Foods to authorize either of Seller or Fresh Foods to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby.

         2.3 ABSENCE OF CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS OR REQUIRED CONSENTS. Except as
contemplated by Section 4.3(f) of this Agreement, the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by each of Seller and Fresh Foods and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby does not require the
consent of any third party and neither conflicts with, results in a breach of,
or constitutes a default under any applicable law, judgment, order, injunction,
decree, rule, regulation or ruling of any court or governmental instrumentality,
or the articles of organization or operating agreement of Seller or the charter
or bylaws of Fresh Foods, nor does it conflict with, constitute grounds for
termination of, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any
agreement, instrument, license or permit to which Seller or Fresh Foods is now
subject.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

         2.4 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. To the best of Seller's knowledge, Seller is
in compliance with all laws, regulations, or governmental orders applicable to
the Restaurant and the present use by the Seller of the Property and Purchased
Assets in the operation of the Restaurant. Neither Seller nor Fresh Foods has
received any written notice of any violation of any law, regulation or
governmental order relating to the Restaurant nor has actual knowledge of any
such violation, or of any investigation with respect to any such violation, or
of any investigation with respect to any judgment, award, order, injunction or
decree of any court or other governmental authority which in any way affects or
relates to the Property, Purchased Assets or the Restaurant.

         2.5 TITLE TO PURCHASED ASSETS. Seller has good and marketable title to
all Purchased Assets, free and clear of all mortgages, security interests,
claims, liens, encumbrances and restrictions. The Seller has the right to convey
the Purchased Assets to the Buyer and the Seller shall convey at the Closing
good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of all
encumbrances, and shall warrant and defend the title to the Purchased Assets in
the Buyer against the claims of all persons whomsoever.

         2.6 FILING OF TAX RETURNS. Seller has filed all federal, state and
local tax returns which are required to be filed (except to the extent that
failure to file is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on
the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or prospects of the
Restaurant) in connection with the Restaurant and has paid or made adequate
provision for the payment of all assessments for such taxes and duties when due
and payable, except for taxes the nonpayment of which is not reasonably likely
to have a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or
otherwise), operations or prospects of the Restaurant. All such returns, as
applicable, have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
rules and regulations thereunder and with the applicable provisions of the state
and local laws, rules and regulations concerning taxation.

         2.7 NO INJUNCTIONS. There is not in effect any preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order by any federal or state authority prohibiting the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                    SECTION 3
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         Buyer, acknowledging that Seller and Fresh Foods are relying on the
following representations and warranties in entering into this Agreement,
represents and warrants to Seller and Fresh Foods as follows:

         3.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Buyer is a limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
North Carolina and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

         3.2 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its
terms. Buyer has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The members of Buyer
have, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, approved this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. No other action is required
on the part of Buyer or the members of Buyer to authorize Buyer to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby.

         3.3 OWNERSHIP. Buyer has authorized capital consisting of membership
interests of a single class and series, all of which are owned (of record and
beneficially) by Richard F. Howard, James C. Richardson, Jr., David R. Clark, L.
Dent Miller, Kenneth Moser and Michael Hodges free and clear of any mortgages,
security interests, claims, liens, encumbrances or restrictions. All such
membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued.

         3.4 ABSENCE OF CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS OR REQUIRED CONSENTS. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer does not require
the consent of any third party and neither conflicts with, results in a breach
of, or constitutes a default under any applicable law, judgment, order,
injunction, decree, rule, regulation or ruling of any court or governmental
instrumentality, or the articles of organization or operating agreement of the
Buyer, nor does it conflict with, constitute grounds for termination of, result
in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any agreement, instrument,
license or permit to which the Buyer is now subject.

         3.5 COMMISSIONS. There is no broker, finder or other person who has any
valid claim against Buyer for a commission, finder's fee or brokerage fee in
connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Buyer
hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Seller harmless from any claim for any such
commission or fee.

                                    SECTION 4
                        CLOSING AND CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

     4.1 CLOSING DATE. The closing (the "CLOSING") of the purchase and sale
of the Purchased Assets provided for in this Agreement, effective for all
purposes as of 11:59 p.m. on October 3, 1999, shall take place at the offices of
McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP, at 10:00 a.m. on September 30, 1999, or at
such later date as shall be agreed upon by the parties. The time and date of
closing are herein called the "CLOSING DATE."

         4.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER. The obligations of the
Buyer to consummate the transactions provided for herein on the Closing Date are
subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing Date of each of the
following conditions, except to the extent that the Buyer may, in its absolute
discretion, waive one or more thereof in writing in whole or in part:

                  (a) REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. The
         representations and warranties of the Seller and Fresh Foods contained
         herein shall be true and

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

         correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with
         the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date and the
         covenants of the Seller and Fresh Foods set forth herein shall have
         been complied with through the Closing Date in all material respects,
         and a certificate to such effect, executed by the Chief Financial
         Officer of Fresh Foods (in his capacity as such), shall be executed and
         delivered to the Buyer on and as of the Closing Date.

                  (b) DOCUMENTS OF THE SELLER. The Seller shall have caused to
         be delivered to the Buyer the following:

                           (i) GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATES. Certificate of
                  Seller's Existence from the North Carolina Secretary of State.

                           (ii) ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS. The Articles of
                  Organization, as amended to date, of the Seller, certified by
                  the North Carolina Secretary of State, and the Operating
                  Agreement of the Seller, together with a certificate of the
                  sole member-manager of the Seller, dated as of the Closing
                  Date, certifying the accuracy and completeness of such
                  documents as of such date.

                           (iii) RESOLUTIONS. Certified copy of resolutions of
                  Fresh Foods as the sole member-manager of Seller authorizing
                  the transactions contemplated hereby and the execution,
                  delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Related
                  Agreements.

                  (c) RELATED AGREEMENTS. The Related Agreements shall have been
         executed and delivered by the parties thereto (other than the Buyer).

                  (d) NO ADVERSE PROCEEDING. No action, suit or proceeding
         before any court or any governmental or regulatory authority shall have
         been commenced, no investigation by any governmental or regulatory
         authority shall have been commenced, and no action, suit or proceeding
         by any governmental or regulatory authority shall have been threatened,
         against any of the parties to this Agreement wherein an unfavorable
         judgment, order, decree, stipulation, injunction or charge would (i)
         prevent consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement or (ii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement to be rescinded following consummation.

                  (e) OTHER ASSURANCES. The Seller and Fresh Foods shall have
         delivered to the Buyer such other and further certificates, assurances
         and documents as the Buyer may reasonably request to evidence the
         accuracy of the representations and warranties made pursuant to Section
         2, the performance of covenants and agreements to be performed pursuant
         to Section 5 at or prior to the Closing, and the fulfillment of the
         conditions to the Buyer's obligations.

         4.3 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER. The obligations of the
Seller and of Fresh Foods to consummate the transactions provided for herein on
the Closing Date are subject to the

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

fulfillment on or before the Closing Date of each of the following conditions,
except to the extent that the Seller and Fresh Foods may, each in its absolute
discretion, waive in writing one or more thereof in whole or in part:

                  (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
         warranties of the Buyer contained herein shall be true and correct in
         all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force
         and effect as if made on and as of such date and the covenants of the
         Buyer set forth herein shall have been complied with through the
         Closing Date in all material respects, and a certificate to such
         effect, executed by David R. Clark (in his capacity as a member of
         Buyer), shall be executed and delivered to the Seller on and as of the
         Closing Date.

                  (b) DOCUMENTS OF THE BUYER. The Buyer shall have caused to be
         delivered to the Seller the following:

                           (i) GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE. Certificate of Buyer's
                  Existence from the North Carolina Secretary of State.

                           (ii) ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS. The Articles of
                  Organization, as amended to date, of the Buyer, certified by
                  the North Carolina Secretary of State, and the Operating
                  Agreement of the Buyer, together with a certificate of a duly
                  authorized officer of the Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date,
                  certifying the accuracy and completeness of such documents as
                  of such date.

                           (iii) RESOLUTIONS. Certified copy of resolutions of
                  the members of the Buyer authorizing the transactions
                  contemplated hereby and the execution, delivery and
                  performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements.

                  (c) RELATED AGREEMENTS. The Related Agreements shall have been
         executed and delivered by the parties thereto (other than the Seller).

                  (d) NO ADVERSE PROCEEDINGS. No action, suit or proceeding
         before any court or any governmental or regulatory authority shall have
         been commenced, no investigation by any governmental or regulatory
         authority shall have been commenced, and no action, suit or proceeding
         by any governmental or regulatory authority shall have been threatened,
         against any of the parties to this Agreement wherein an unfavorable
         judgment, order, decree, stipulation, injunction or charge would (i)
         prevent consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement or (ii) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement to be rescinded following consummation.

                  (e) FAIRNESS OPINION. Fresh Foods shall have received an
         opinion letter of Bowles Hollowell Conner, a division of First Union
         Capital Markets

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

         Corp., dated a recent date, in support of the transactions contemplated
         by this Agreement.

                  (f) LENDER CONSENTS. Fresh Foods and Seller shall have
         received any and all necessary waivers and consents granted by their
         institutional lenders or shall have received amendments to their credit
         documents having the same effect.

                  (g) OTHER ASSURANCES. The Buyer shall have delivered to the
         Seller such other and further certificates, assurances and documents as
         the Seller or its counsel may reasonably request to evidence the
         accuracy of the representations and warranties made pursuant to Section
         3, the performance of the covenants and agreements to be performed
         pursuant to Section 5 at or prior to the Closing and the fulfillment of
         the conditions to the Seller's obligations pursuant to this Section
         4.3.

                                    SECTION 5
                        CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

         5.1 PRE-CLOSING ACCESS TO BUSINESS. Prior to the Closing, the Seller
shall afford to authorized representatives of the Buyer free and full access
upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours to the premises, assets,
properties, books, personnel and records of the Seller so that the Buyer may
have full opportunity to make such investigations as it shall desire to make of
the Seller; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, until the Closing, the Buyer shall not
disclose or use and shall cause its agents, attorneys and representatives not to
disclose or use any confidential data or information secured from the Seller,
and, if the Closing does not occur as herein provided, the Buyer will promptly
return to the Seller, at the request of the Seller, any and all copies,
summaries or abstracts thereof and shall not use any such information in any
manner.

         5.2 INTERIM CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Pending the Closing, the Seller shall
conduct its business only in the usual and ordinary course.

         5.3 CONTINUATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE COVERAGE. The Seller agrees that
prior to the effective date of the Closing it will retain its existing insurance
coverage in such amounts and on substantially the same terms as in effect on the
date hereof.

         5.4 PRESS RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. Prior to one week after the
Closing, no press release or other public announcement pertaining in any way to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be made by any party unless
it has first been approved by the other parties or, in the reasonable opinion of
counsel to the disclosing party, is required by applicable law, rule, regulation
or order and the disclosing party gives prior written notice of its intention to
make a disclosure and provides to the nondisclosing party an opportunity to
participate in preparing any such disclosure.

         5.5 INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) From and after the Closing Date, Fresh Foods shall indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Buyer from and against any loss, damage, liability,
cost or expense (each, a "LOSS")

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

incurred pursuant to any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (each,
a "CLAIM") asserted with respect to an Excluded Liability.

         (b) From and after the Closing Date, Buyer shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless each of Seller and Fresh Foods from and against any Loss incurred
in connection with any Claim asserted as a result of or with respect to (i) the
breach by Buyer of any representation and warranty, covenant or other agreement
contained in this Agreement or (ii) an Assumed Liability.

         (c) This Section is intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be
enforceable by, each indemnified party referred to in subsections (a) and (b)
and such party's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.

                                    SECTION 6
                               EXPENSES AND TAXES

         6.1 EXPENSES. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the
parties hereto shall pay their respective expenses incurred under or in
connection with this Agreement.

         6.2 TRANSFER TAXES. Taxes associated with transferring the Purchased
Assets to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation
tangible or intangible personal property taxes and any bulk sales or use taxes,
shall be paid by Seller.

                                    SECTION 7
                               FURTHER ASSURANCES

         7.1 FURTHER ACTS AND ASSURANCES. Seller shall, upon the request of
Buyer and at no cost or charge to Buyer, execute and deliver to Buyer any and
all such other and further instruments, bills of sale, assignments, conveyances
or assurances as may be necessary or appropriate to vest and confirm in Buyer
and protect its right, title, and interest in and to all of the Purchased
Assets, and to otherwise consummate and carry out the transactions contemplated
hereby.

                                    SECTION 8
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         8.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations,
warranties, covenants and other agreements of the parties made in and pursuant
to this Agreement shall not survive the Closing, except for covenants and
agreements that, by their terms, are to be performed after the Closing Date.
Covenants and agreements to be performed after the Closing Date shall survive
the Closing for one year.

         8.2 BENEFIT AND ASSIGNMENT. Neither party may assign any of its rights
under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which
will not be unreasonably

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

withheld. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall not be deemed to confer any rights
or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.

         8.3 EFFECT AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains
the final, complete and exclusive statement of the agreement among the parties
with respect to the transactions contemplated herein and supersedes any and all
prior agreements, arrangements and understandings relating to matters provided
for herein.

         8.4 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVER. No amendment, waiver of compliance with any
provision or condition hereof, or consent pursuant to this Agreement, will be
enforceable unless evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by the party
sought to be charged with its enforcement.

         8.5 CAPTIONS. The captions and headings set forth in this Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not be construed as a part of this Agreement.

         8.6 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         8.7 EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES. All exhibits and schedules referred to in
this Agreement and attached hereto shall be deemed and construed as part of this
Agreement. For all purposes, all such exhibits and schedules are hereby
specifically incorporated herein by this reference to them.

         8.8 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to the
principles of conflict of laws of such State.

         8.9 NOTICES. Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be
given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly delivered (a) when personally delivered, (b) one
business day after being sent by facsimile at the number listed below for such
party, (c) one business day after the day on which the same has been delivered
prepaid to a national courier service guaranteeing next day service or (d) three
days after deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified, postage
prepared and return receipt requested, in each case addressed to the party to
whom such notice is to be given at the address listed below for such party, or
to such other address as any party may request by notifying in writing all of
the other parties to this Agreement:

                  To Buyer:  Fairgrove Restaurants, LLC
                             361 Second Street N.W.
                             Hickory, NC 28601
                             Fax: (704) 304-2330

                                      10
<PAGE>   11

                  Copy to:   T. Stewart Gibson, Esq.
                             Battle, Winslow, Scott & Wiley, P.A.
                             2343 Professional Drive
                             Rocky Mount, NC 27804-0100
                             Fax: (252) 937-8100

                  To Seller: Fresh Foods Sales, LLC
                             361 Second Street N.W.
                             Hickory, NC 28601
                             Fax: (704) 377-8001

                  Copy to:   Sandra Copenhaver Simos, Esq.
                             McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP
                             Bank of America Corporate Center
                             100 North Tryon Street, Suite 2900
                             Charlotte, NC  28202-4011
                             Fax:  (704) 373-8823

         8.10 SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
of this Agreement shall be held or found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         8.11 TIME OF ESSENCE.  Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

         8.12 PRONOUNS AND NUMBER. All pronouns used herein shall be deemed to
refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter gender as the context requires. Words
importing the singular number hereunder shall include the plural number and vice
versa.

                     [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

                                      11
<PAGE>   12

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the
day and year first above written.

                                FAIRGROVE RESTAURANTS, LLC

                                By:   /s/ DAVID R. CLARK
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      David R. Clark
                                      Member

                                By:   /s/ JAMES C. RICHARDSON, JR.
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      James C. Richardson, Jr.
                                      Member

                                By:   /s/ L. DENT MILLER
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      L. Dent Miller
                                      Member

                                By:   /s/ MICHAEL DOUGLAS HODGES
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      Michael Douglas Hodges
                                      Member

                                By:   /s/ KENNETH L. MOSER
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      Kenneth L. Moser
                                      Member

                                By:   /s/ RICHARD F. HOWARD
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      Richard F. Howard
                                      Member

                                FRESH FOODS, INC.

                                By:   /s/ JAMES E. HARRIS
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      James E. Harris
                                      Chief Financial Officer

                                FRESH FOODS SALES, LLC

                                By:  Fresh Foods, Inc.,
                                      its sole member and manager

                                      By: /s/ JAMES E. HARRIS
                                      ----------------------------------
                                           James E. Harris
                                           Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>   13

                        (SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS OMITTED)

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