Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.29

                      PURCHASE AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

         THIS PURCHASE AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made
and entered into this 9th day of January, 2004, by and between Ferrellgas, L.P.,
a Delaware limited partnership ("Buyer"), and Suburban Propane, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("SP"), and Suburban Sales and Service, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("SSS" and, collectively with SP, "Seller").

                               W I T N E S S E T H

         That in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties agree as follows:

I. SALE AND PURCHASE.

         1.1 Agreements to Sell and Purchase. Seller agrees to sell, transfer,
assign and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase and accept from
Seller, on the Closing Date (hereinafter defined), the property of Seller
referred to in this Section 1.1 (not specifically excluded under Section 1.2
below), relating to Seller's propane operations (the "Operations") within the
states of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas as carried on at the locations
identified in Exhibit 1.1 ("the "Locations"), as follows:

              a. All propane inventory held by Seller at the Locations on the
    Closing Date;

              b. All propane tanks, cylinders, dispensers, regulators, piping,
    vehicles, fixtures constituting Seller's bulk facilities, tools and other
    equipment at or serviced from the Locations, including, without limitation,
    those assets described on Exhibit 1.1b;

              c. To the extent assignable, all of Seller's right, title and
    interest in and to permits, licenses (including truck licenses) and
    telephone numbers used in connection with the Operations at the Locations;

              d. All of Seller's propane products accounts, retail accounts and
    service customers serviced from or at the Locations, including without
    limitation, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the
    originals and all copies of customer lists and records;

              e. All customer contracts and fuel supply contracts with customers
    serviced from or at the Locations, including, without limitation, contracts
    on product tanks and customer locations; and all contract rights arising
    from non-compete and non-solicit agreements;

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              f. All customer leases and lease option agreements covering the
    propane tanks and cylinders owned or leased by Seller to customers serviced
    from the Locations;

              g. All real estate owned by Seller for use in the Operations, as
    more particularly described in the deeds attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2.3,
    including all fixtures attached thereto and improvements and buildings
    thereon;

              h. Unless specifically excluded, all rights of Seller under real
    property leases for leased real estate used in the Operations, and contracts
    of the Operations;

              i. Trade accounts receivable of the Operations for account debtors
    serviced from the Locations, as of the Closing Date (the "Purchased Accounts
    Receivable");

              j. All warranty rights of Seller, express or implied, with respect
    to the property described in this Section 1.1;

              k. All of Seller's propane parts and fittings which are used at
    the Locations as operating supplies to maintain and repair propane tanks and
    lines, whether or not generally billed to Seller's customers;

              l. All of Seller's appliance inventory at the Locations.

         1.2 Excluded Assets. The assets and properties of Seller to be sold and
purchased under Section 1.1 shall not include (i) cash on hand or in banks; (ii)
any Underground Storage Tanks (as defined by 40 C.F.R. 280); (iii) the Retained
Accounts Receivable (as defined in Section 1.3c); (iv) any right, title, or
interest in or to the names Suburban Propane, L.P., Suburban Propane, Suburban
Sales and Service, Inc., or any derivatives thereof, or any other trademarks,
service marks or trade names, or any software or intellectual property used in
connection with or otherwise attributable to the Seller's business at any
business locations, whether or not such marks, names, or property are
registered; (v) any item, instrument, property, claim, right, equipment,
furniture, fixture, appliance, inventory, tool/or machinery or other asset
associated with the Seller's businesses other than at the Locations; and (vi)
those assets and properties of Seller listed on Exhibit 1.2.

         1.3 Purchase Price; Noncompetition Payment.

              a. Price of Assets. The price to be paid for the assets to be sold
    and purchased pursuant to Sections 1.1b, 1.1c, 1.1d, 1.1e, 1.1f, 1.1g, 1.1h,
    and 1.1j shall be $23,000,000, allocated to the assets pursuant to Exhibit
    1.8.

              b. Price of Inventory. To determine the price of the assets
    described in Section 1.1a (the "Propane Inventory), a physical inventory of
    propane in bulk storage, bobtails, in cylinders on trucks, and in customer
    tanks in the yard at the Locations shall be taken by representatives of
    Buyer and Seller as of the open of business on the Closing Date. The price
    to be paid shall be determined based upon the pricing information on

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    Exhibit 1.3b for that inventory (corrected to 60 degrees Fahrenheit based on
    the temperature of the propane in the vessel containing the greatest
    quantity) which Buyer and Seller so verify.

              c. Price of Accounts Receivable. To determine the price of the
    Purchased Accounts Receivable, Seller's total Purchased Accounts Receivable
    for the Operations shall be verified by representatives of Buyer and Seller
    as of the close of business on the day preceding the Closing Date by review
    of the business records. The price to be paid shall be the applicable
    percentage (as set forth below) of the amount of the Purchased Accounts
    Receivable; provided, however, that Buyer shall not be obligated to purchase
    any account (i) which is due from a customer that is at the time of such
    verification a debtor in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings; or (ii)
    which otherwise appears to be uncollectible or unwanted as determined by
    Buyer in its sole discretion (the "Retained Accounts Receivable").

              Account Receivable Age               Percentage of Face Amount
              ----------------------               -------------------------

               0 - 30 days after statement date               100%
              31 - 60 days after statement date                75%
              61 - 90 days after statement date                50%
              over 90 days after statement date                0%

              d. Price of Appliances and Parts. The price for the assets
    described in Section 1.1k and 1.1l (parts and fittings and appliances,
    hereinafter "Appliance Inventory") shall be an amount equal to 90% of
    Seller's cost, determined by an inventory of said items at the Locations
    conducted jointly by Seller and Buyer on Closing Date.

         1.4 Seller's Liabilities.

              a. Excluded Liabilities. Other than the assumed liabilities
    described in Section 1.4b, all liabilities, debts and obligations of every
    character or description, known or unknown, of Seller accruing or arising
    from acts (whether or not the resulting event or occurrence of damage is
    before, on or after the Closing Date), transactions or occurrences prior to
    the Closing (hereinafter defined) shall be Seller's sole obligation and
    responsibility and Buyer is not assuming any such liability, debt or
    obligation and Buyer shall have no responsibility therefor.

              b. Assumed Liabilities. Notwithstanding the above, Buyer agrees to
    assume and pay the liabilities and obligations (i) arising after the Closing
    Date with regard to the assigned leases, (ii) listed on Exhibit 1.4b, (iii)
    that arise on or after the Closing Date pursuant to executory contracts,
    orders and commitments that relate to the sale of equipment, merchandise or
    services of the Operations at the Locations, (iv) that are incurred with
    respect to, result from, are caused by or arise out of the assets acquired
    pursuant to Section 1.1, provided that Buyer does not assume any liability
    with respect to any asset or installation at a customer location until the
    earlier of (x) the date on which the Buyer first delivers propane into,
    services or inspects such asset and (y) 120 days after

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    the Closing Date. Buyer agrees that it shall bear all costs and expenses
    associated with the foregoing and that said costs and expenses shall be in
    addition to the purchase price of the assets.

         1.5 Proration of Certain Items. Provided the Closing occurs, Buyer
shall receive a credit with respect to the following items (the "Prorations"):

              (a) Real and Personal Property Taxes. With respect to the assets
    being transferred pursuant to this Agreement, Buyer will pay all real and
    personal property taxes, if any, (prorated as of the Closing Date) for the
    calendar year within which the Closing Date occurs, which are not payable
    until after the Closing Date. Buyer will make such payments as and when due
    and Buyer shall receive a credit for Seller's prorated share of the amounts
    to be paid by Buyer.

              (b) Customer Propane Prepayments or Level Payments. Customer
    prepayments for propane and level payment plan payments shall be prorated as
    of the Closing Date. Buyer shall receive a credit for the amount by which
    the retail price of gas provided to customers before the Closing is less
    than the retail amount paid to Seller by such customers.

              (c) Customer Tank Rent Prepayment. Prepayments of tank rent and
    all tank rent accounts receivable shall be prorated over the period to which
    the prepayment applies. Buyer shall receive a credit for the amount by which
    the prepayment of tank rent and tank rent accounts receivable exceeds the
    tank rent due through the end of the day prior to the Closing Date.

              (d) Customer Deposits and Balances. Buyer shall receive a credit
    for (i) all customer deposits made with Seller in connection with the use,
    lease or purchase of propane or propane tanks, cylinders, regulators or
    equipment and (ii) all customer credit balances of any kind.

         The foregoing items will be computed as of the time of the Closing and
will be offset against the payment to be made by Buyer to Seller within three
business days after the calculation of the Purchased Accounts Receivable, the
Propane Inventory and Appliance Inventory, and the Prorations, as further
described in Section 2.3.

         1.6 Accounts Receivable Payments. Seller hereby irrevocably constitutes
and appoints Buyer and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of
substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable
power and authority in the place and stead of Seller and in the name of Seller
or in its own name, without notice to or assent by Seller, for the sole and
exclusive purposes of signing, endorsing and negotiating any check, draft,
deposit item or other instruments received by Buyer as a customer payment on the
Purchased Accounts Receivable transferred or assigned hereunder. The power and
authority granted to Buyer pursuant to this Section 1.6 shall expire 90 days
after the Closing Date. Seller will immediately remit to Buyer any payments
received by Seller on any Purchased Accounts Receivable transferred to

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Buyer hereunder. Buyer will immediately remit to Seller any payments received by
Buyer with respect to the Retained Accounts Payable.

         1.7 Adjustments.

              a. As promptly as practicable, but no later than ten (10) days
    after the Closing Date, Seller shall cause to be prepared and delivered to
    Buyer the Closing Statement (as defined below) and a certificate based on
    such Closing Statement setting forth Seller's calculation of inventory
    price, Prorations, and Purchased Accounts Receivable ("Closing
    Adjustments"). The closing statement (the "Closing Statement") shall fairly
    present in all material respects calculation of the Closing Adjustments.

              b. If Buyer disagrees with Seller's calculation of Closing
    Adjustments delivered pursuant to Section 1.7a, Buyer may, within ten (10)
    days after delivery of the Closing Statement, deliver a notice to Seller
    disagreeing with such calculation and setting forth Buyer's calculation of
    such amount. Any such notice of disagreement shall specify those items or
    amounts as to which Buyer disagrees, and Buyer shall be deemed to have
    agreed with all other items and amounts contained in the Closing Statement
    and the calculation of Closing Adjustments delivered pursuant to Section
    1.7a and shall pay those undisputed amounts within 10 days of delivery of
    the Closing Statement .

              c. If a notice of disagreement shall be duly delivered pursuant to
    Section 1.7b, Buyer and Seller shall, during the ten (10) days following
    such delivery, use their reasonable best efforts to reach agreement on the
    disputed items or amounts in order to determine, as may be required, the
    amount of Closing Adjustments. If during such period, Buyer and Seller are
    unable to reach such agreement, they shall promptly thereafter cause Ernst &
    Young (the "Accounting Referee") to review this Agreement and the disputed
    items or amounts for the purpose of calculating Closing Adjustments (it
    being understood that in making such calculation, the Accounting Referee
    shall be functioning as an expert and not as an arbitrator). In making such
    calculation, the Accounting Referee shall consider only those items or
    amounts in the Closing Statement and Seller's calculation of Closing
    Adjustments as to which Buyer has disagreed. The Accounting Referee shall
    deliver to Buyer and Seller, as promptly as practicable (but in any case no
    later than thirty (30) days from the date of engagement of the Accounting
    Referee), a report setting forth such calculation. Such report shall be
    final and binding upon Buyer and Seller. The cost of such review and report
    shall be borne equally by Buyer and Seller.

              d. Buyer and Seller shall, and shall cause their respective
    representatives to, cooperate and assist in the preparation of the Closing
    Statement and the calculation of Closing Adjustments and in the conduct of
    the review referred to in this Section 1.7, including, without limitation,
    the making available to the extent necessary of books, records, work papers
    and personnel.

              e. The Closing Adjustments remaining due, as finally determined by
    the process described in Section 1.7c, shall be paid within three (3) days
    of calculation by

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    wire transfer. The amount of any payment to be made pursuant to this Section
    1.7e shall bear interest from and including the thirteenth day after the
    Closing Date to but excluding the date of payment at a rate per annum equal
    to the rate of interest = published from time to time by The Wall Street
    Journal as the "prime rate" at large U.S. money center banks during the
    period from the thirteenth day after the Closing Date to the date of
    payment. Such interest shall be payable at the same time as the payment to
    which it relates and shall be calculated daily on the basis of a year of
    three hundred sixty five (365) days and the actual number of days elapsed.

         1.8 Purchase Price Allocation. The Buyer and Seller agree to allocate
the aggregate purchase price among the purchased assets hereunder for all
purposes (including financial accounting and tax purposes) as in accordance with
the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit 1.8. Buyer and Seller shall
each report the federal, state and local income and other tax consequences of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in a manner consistent with such
allocation, including, without limitation, the preparation and filing of Form
8594 (or any successor form or successor provision of any future tax law) under
Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with their
respective federal income tax returns for the taxable year that includes the
Closing Date, and neither Buyer nor Seller will take any position inconsistent
with such allocation unless otherwise required by applicable law.

II. CLOSING.

         2.1 Closing Date. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place on January 9, 2004, or such
earlier or later date as may be mutually agreeable and set by the parties (the
"Closing Date"). The Closing shall be conducted by mail and deemed held at the
offices of Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A. Hackensack, New Jersey,
at a time to be set by the parties. At the Closing, all actions taken and all
documents delivered will be deemed to have been taken and delivered
contemporaneously and no action will be taken nor any documents deemed delivered
until all actions have been taken and all documents have been delivered.

         2.2 Closing Deliveries by Seller. At the Closing, as a condition to the
Closing for Buyer, Seller shall transfer and assign all of the properties and
assets to be sold hereunder and shall deliver to Buyer a General Bill of Sale
(as set forth in Exhibit 2.2.1), an Assignment of Customer Leases (as set forth
in Exhibit 2.2.2), the Special and General Warranty Deeds (as set forth in
Exhibit 2.2.3), an Assignment of Real Property Leases (as set forth in Exhibit
2.2.4), vehicle titles and such other appropriate instruments of transfer and
physical possession as shall, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for Buyer, be
effective to vest in Buyer good and marketable title to said properties and
assets, including, but not limited to, releases of all outstanding security
interests in the properties and assets being transferred (other than the
Permitted Liens). Seller shall prepare a customer list based solely on its
readily available computer files of all customers who have purchased inventory
from the Locations during the fifteen (15) months preceding the Closing
("Customer List") and, at the Closing, transfer possession of such Customer
List, accounts receivable records and all other records concerning the
Operations at the Locations,

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including, without limitation, all customer records at the Locations. Seller may
retain historical records compiled at its corporate office.

         2.3 Delivery and Payment by Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer will wire
transfer: (i) to an account designated by Seller funds in the amount of
$21,000,000 and (ii) to the U.S. Bank ("Escrow Agent") funds in the amount of
$2,000,000 and will deliver to Seller resale exemption certificates in the form
set forth in Exhibit 2.3a. Within three business days following the final
calculation of the Purchased Accounts Receivable, the Propane Inventory, the
Appliance Inventory, and the Prorations, and the Seller's and Buyer's execution
of the final Closing Statement (substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3
attached hereto) evidencing their agreement to the calculation of such amounts,
Buyer will wire transfer to Seller the amount due pursuant to Section 1.3b
(Propane Inventory), Section 1.3c (Purchased Accounts Receivable) and Section
1.3d (Appliance Inventory), less any credits due Buyer under Section 1.5
(Prorations) or otherwise. On the first anniversary date of the Closing, Escrow
Agent shall wire transfer to the Seller the amount of $2,000,000, less any
amount that is not subject to disbursement or is payable to Buyer pursuant to
the Escrow Agreement.

         2.4 Further Assurances. Without further consideration, Seller or Buyer,
as the case may be, will at any time, and from time to time, execute and deliver
such further instruments of transfer or assignment and take such other action as
Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, reasonably may request to give effect to
the transactions contemplated by the terms of this Agreement.

         2.5 Procedures Pending Closing. Between the date of this Agreement and
the Closing Date:

              a. Access. Seller will give to Buyer and Buyer's representatives
    reasonable access during normal business hours to Seller's properties,
    books, records, and personnel files related solely to the Operations, and
    will allow such persons to make copies (at Buyer's expense) of all of such
    documents and all such financial and operating data and information as any
    such person shall reasonably request from time to time, provided, that no
    such access shall be requested or required to be given at any time or in any
    manner which interferes with the normal conduct of Seller's business. All
    such documents, data, and other materials are confidential and Buyer shall
    not release them to anyone except its employees and agents, and then only
    for the purposes of this transaction; provided, however, that any such
    documents, data, or other materials shall not be deemed confidential for
    purposes of this paragraph to the extent that the same (1) is a part of the
    public domain at the time of disclosure, (2) subsequently becomes a part of
    the public domain by publication or otherwise through no fault of Buyer or
    its representatives, (3) may be shown by Buyer to have been contained in a
    writing in its possession at the time of disclosure, which information had
    not been wrongfully acquired, directly or indirectly, from Seller and Buyer
    is not under an obligation of confidentiality with respect thereto, or (4)
    is subsequently disclosed to Buyer by a third party not in violation of any
    rights of, or obligations to, Seller. Such examination and investigation by
    Buyer shall not operate as a waiver of, or limit in any way, the warranties
    and representations of Seller hereunder. If for any reason the transactions
    contemplated by

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    this Agreement are not consummated, then upon Seller's written request Buyer
    shall return to Seller (and not thereafter use in its own business or
    otherwise, or disclose the contents of) all documents, data and other
    materials respecting Seller's business furnished to or obtained by Buyer or
    its representatives from Seller or its representatives.

              b. Conduct of Business. Without the prior written consent of Buyer
    and solely with respect to the Operations:

                   (1) Seller will not sell or otherwise dispose of, or purchase
         or acquire any assets at the Locations in any manner, except in the
         ordinary course of business;

                   (2) Seller will not make, accrue, or become liable in any way
         for any bonus, profit sharing, pension or incentive compensation
         payments to any employee of Seller other than in conformity with
         arrangements existing on or before November 24, 2003;

                   (3) Seller will not make or enter into any material agreement
         providing for any change in rates of wages or salaries or employment
         benefits or term or duration of employment of any employee of Seller;

                   (4) Seller will carry on its business in the same manner as
         heretofore conducted and will not take any action or enter into any
         contracts other than in conformity with prior practice in the ordinary
         and regular course of business as heretofore conducted; and

                   (5) Seller will use commercial good faith to maintain and
         preserve the Operations, consistent with past practice..

         2.6 Verification of Tanks. During the period commencing on the Closing
Date and ending June 30, 2004 (the "Verification Period"), Buyer shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to locate and verify (a) the quantity and sizes
of the tanks and cylinders as listed on Exhibit 1.1b (b) ownership of the tanks
and cylinders, and (c) proper identification (i.e., data plates) with respect to
the tanks and cylinders. At the end of the Verification Period, Buyer shall
submit to Seller a report (x) of all tanks and cylinders that cannot be located
and/or verified by Buyer, (y) with respect to which ownership is being contested
by a customer or other third party and (z) that do not have proper
identification as required by applicable laws or regulations, in each case,
within the Verification Period (the "Verification Report"). If Seller is unable
to resolve any claim by Buyer with respect to a tank or cylinder included in the
Verification Report within the thirty (30) day period following the Seller's
receipt of the Verification Report, Seller shall, at its option, (1) pay to
Buyer the replacement value of such tanks and cylinders in accordance with the
replacement costs set forth on Exhibit 2.6 or (2) provide Buyer with replacement
tanks and cylinders, which shall be equivalent in size, in good condition and
otherwise in accordance with Exhibit 1.1b. In the event that Seller pays the
replacement value or replaces an unverified or missing tank or cylinder, Seller
shall be assigned all of Buyer's

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ownership interest in the unverified or missing tank or cylinder, and Buyer
shall notify Seller if such unverified or missing tank is located.

         2.7 Closing Date Receipts. Provided the Closing occurs, the proceeds
resulting from the Operations conducted on the Closing Date shall accrue to the
benefit of and be deemed to be the property of Buyer. This Section does not
affect in any way the liabilities of Seller referenced in Section 1.4a.

III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

         3.1 Representations and Warranties of Seller. Seller represents,
warrants and agrees to and with Buyer as follows:

              a. Organizational Status. SP is a limited partnership, and SSS is
    a corporation, both duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
    under the laws of the state of Delaware and have full power and authority to
    carry on their business as presently conducted and to own and operate their
    assets, properties and business. SP and SSS are qualified to do business and
    are in good standing under the laws of the states of Texas, Oklahoma,
    Missouri and Kansas. Seller has full power and authority to execute this
    Agreement and carry out its obligations hereunder.

              b. Financial Information. Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of
    certain information (including financial information, operational data and
    sales information), copies of which are attached as Exhibit 3.1b hereto,
    relating to Seller's Operations ("Financial Information"). The Financial
    Information represents fairly the financial position of the Operations as of
    the dates thereof and the information included in the Financial Information
    presents fairly and accurately the financial and operational results of the
    Operations for the periods referred to therein, all prepared on a basis
    consistent with prior periods.

              c. Changes During Preceding Year. Except as set forth on Exhibit
    3.1c, during the year preceding the date hereof, with respect to the
    Operations there has not been:

                   (1) Any material change, financial or otherwise, in the
         condition of the properties, assets, liabilities, prospects or
         business, except normal and usual changes in the ordinary course of
         business or changes disclosed in the Financial Information, which have
         not in the aggregate been adverse to the Operations at the Locations;

                   (2) Any damage, destruction or loss (whether or not covered
         by insurance) suffered by Seller in an aggregate amount exceeding
         $10,000;

                   (3) Any sale, lease, abandonment or other disposition by
         Seller of any interest in any real property, or, except in the ordinary
         course of business,

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         in any machinery, equipment or other operating property, or any lease
         or sale of any propane tanks owned by Seller;

                   (4) Any other occurrence, event or condition which materially
         and adversely affects or, to Seller's knowledge, is likely to
         materially and adversely affect the Operations; or

                   (5) Any material and adverse change in the Financial
         Information.

              d. Personal Property. Except for the leased assets listed on
    Exhibit 3.1d (including the real property leases and vehicle leases), Seller
    owns and has good and marketable title to the personal and intangible
    property to be sold to Buyer hereunder including, without limitation, the
    propane tanks, equipment, vehicles and other assets described on Exhibit
    1.1b. Except for the Permitted Liens, none of the personal property and
    assets to be transferred to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement at the Closing
    are subject to any contract of sale, encumbrance, security agreement, lien
    or charge of any kind or character. Except for the leased assets, no person,
    corporation or firm other than Seller has any ownership interest in the
    personal property being transferred pursuant to this Agreement. All
    appliances and other equipment installed by Seller, and the propane tanks,
    cylinders, regulators, vehicles and other equipment transferred hereunder,
    are in working order and are in compliance with all applicable safety
    regulations. The assets listed on Exhibit 1.1b attached hereto along with
    the leased assets are sufficient to enable Buyer to continue to conduct the
    Operations in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
    practices. "Permitted Lien" means, as to real property, Permitted Real
    Estate Liens, and, as to all other property, (i) any lien for taxes not yet
    due or delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate
    proceedings, (ii) any statutory lien arising in the ordinary course of
    business by operation of law with respect to a liability that is not yet due
    or delinquent, AND (iii) any other lien which individually or in the
    aggregate with other such liens could not reasonably be expected to
    materially impair the use or value of the asset to which it attaches.

              e. Real Property. The Special and General Warranty Deeds attached
    hereto as Exhibit 2.2.3 set forth a complete legal description of each
    parcel of real property owned by Seller and used in the Operations. Seller
    has good and marketable title in fee simple absolute to such real property
    and to the improvements thereon, free and clear of all liens, security
    interests, leases, encumbrances, easements, covenants, restrictions, defects
    or other burdens, except for Permitted Real Estate Liens. The transfer of
    such real property will pass to Buyer good and marketable fee simple title
    and full entitlement to the use and enjoyment of each parcel being
    transferred. Seller does not own, and the real property described in the
    General Warranty Deeds attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2.3 does not contain,
    any Underground Storage Tanks. "Permitted Real Estate Liens" means (i)
    statutory liens for current taxes or other governmental charges with respect
    to the real property (x) not yet due and payable or (y) with respect to
    which Seller retains all liability and the amount or validity of which is
    being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings by Seller; (ii)
    mechanics', carriers', workers', repairers' and

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    similar statutory liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of
    business for amounts which are not delinquent and which are not,
    individually or in the aggregate, material to the business Locations; (iii)
    zoning, entitlement, building and other land use regulations imposed by
    governmental agencies having jurisdiction over the real property which are
    not violated by the current use and operation of the real property; and (iv)
    covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other matters or record
    affecting title to the real property which do no materially impair the use
    or value of the affected parcel of real property for the purposes for which
    it is used in connection with the applicable Location.

              f. Other Contracts and Encumbrances. Except as disclosed on
    Exhibit 3.1f, Seller is not a party to any written or oral (i) contract not
    made in the ordinary course of business, (ii) franchise agreement, (iii)
    chattel mortgage, equipment lease, security agreement or conditional sales
    contract or (iv) partnership, joint venture or other business agreement with
    respect to the Operations, in each case where the consideration to be paid
    or received by Seller exceeds $5,000 or which cannot be terminated by Seller
    upon notice of thirty (30) or fewer days without penalty. Seller has
    performed all obligations and is not in default in any respect under any
    contract to which Seller is a party. Attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1f is a
    listing of, and Seller has provided complete copies of, all contracts and
    agreements to which Seller is a party for the future sale by Seller of
    propane for a fixed or capped price, or in volumes in excess of 5,000
    gallons per year.

              g. Taxes. Seller has filed all income tax returns and all real and
    personal property tax returns required to have been filed, and has paid all
    taxes as shown on said returns, all assessments received by it and all
    amounts due any governmental authority to the extent that such taxes,
    assessments and amounts have become due.

              h. Restrictions. Seller is not subject to any restriction
    contained in any charter, articles of incorporation, bylaw, mortgage, lien,
    lease, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree, which would prevent
    the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

              i. Easements. Seller has all easements and rights of ingress and
    egress necessary for the conduct of the Operations, for placement of its
    propane tanks, and all easements for utilities and services necessary for
    the conduct of the Operations on the real property to be sold to or leased
    by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement. The transfer, conveyance and assignment
    by Seller to Buyer at the Closing of the property and rights described in
    Section 1.1 will pass to Buyer good and marketable title to such property,
    together with all necessary easements and rights of ingress and egress
    associated therewith. Seller expressly represents and warrants that it will
    execute and deliver any additional deeds, instruments or documents required
    to convey to Buyer all easements necessary for the lawful conduct of the
    Operations at the Locations (including, without limitation, placement of all
    equipment and tanks on Seller's property) in the manner in which such
    Operations were conducted on the last business day before the Closing.

                                       11
<PAGE>

              j. Litigation. Except as set forth on Exhibit 3.1j, Seller is not
    engaged in, or to its knowledge threatened with, any legal action or other
    proceeding before any court or administrative agency, has not been charged
    with, and to its knowledge is not under investigation with respect to any
    charge concerning, any material violation of any provision of federal, state
    or local law or administrative regulation in respect of or affecting either
    the property and assets conveyed hereunder or the Operations.

              k. Employees. Seller has not made any representations to its
    employees with respect to any undertaking or commitment by Buyer to continue
    the employment of such employees. None of Seller's employees at the
    Locations is or has been subject to any union, labor or collective
    bargaining agreement nor have there been any demands for such an agreement.
    Seller has no liability under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,
    the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Civil
    Rights Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act or any other social,
    employment or labor law affecting Seller which is not being retained by
    Seller as Seller's obligation. Seller has no accrued liability to any
    employee for wages, fringe benefits or otherwise which is not being retained
    by Seller as Seller's obligation.

              l. Environment.

                   (1) With respect to the Operations and except as disclosed on
         Exhibit 3.1l, Seller is in full compliance with all aspects of each (i)
         federal, state or local law relating to pollution or the environment,
         including but not limited to laws relating to emissions, discharges,
         releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals
         or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively
         "Hazardous Wastes") into the environment or otherwise relating to the
         manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
         disposal, transportation or handling of Hazardous Wastes (collectively
         "Environmental Laws"); and (ii) regulation, code, plan, order, decree,
         judgment, injunction, notice or demand letter issued, entered,
         promulgated or approved pursuant to or in connection with any
         Environmental Laws (which collectively with Environmental Laws are
         hereinafter referred to as "Environmental Laws and Regulations"). With
         respect to the Operations and except as disclosed on Exhibit 3.1l,
         there is no civil, criminal, administrative or other action, suit,
         demand, claim, hearing, notice of violation, investigation, proceeding,
         notice or demand letter pending, received or, to the knowledge of
         Seller, threatened against Seller relating in any way to Environmental
         Laws and Regulations.

                   (2) With respect to the Operations and except as disclosed on
         Exhibit 3.1l, during the period of ownership, leasehold interest or
         operation by Seller or its affiliates with respect to such parcel of
         Transferred Property there have occurred no and there are no
         anticipated, releases or substantial threats of a release of any
         Hazardous Wastes, from or onto any Transferred Property (as defined
         below) which release or threatened release is or may be subject to
         regulation under Environmental Laws and Regulations. Without limiting
         the

                                       12
<PAGE>

         foregoing, no asbestos fibers or materials or polychlorinated biphenyls
         (PCBs) are on or in any Transferred Property. None of the Transferred
         Property has previously been used, is now being used or is contemplated
         to be used for the generation, transportation, treatment, storage,
         abatement or disposal of any Hazardous Wastes subject to regulation
         under Environmental Laws and Regulations. "Transferred Property" means
         any Location which (i) is currently owned, leased or utilized by Seller
         and (ii) which Buyer is purchasing, leasing, assuming the existing
         lease or otherwise obtaining the right to utilize such property in
         connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                   (3) With respect to each parcel of Transferred Property and
         except as disclosed on Exhibit 3.1l, during the period of ownership,
         leasehold interest or operation by Seller or its affiliates with
         respect to such parcel of Transferred Property, there have occurred no
         conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, actions or
         plans which may give rise to any common law or legal liability, or
         otherwise form the basis of any claim, action, demand, suit,
         proceeding, hearing, notice of violation, study or investigation, based
         on or related to the manufacture, generation, ownership, possession,
         distribution, use, treatment, abatement, storage, disposal,
         transportation or handling, or the emission, discharge, release or
         threatened release into the environment of any Hazardous Wastes. For
         purposes of this Section 3.1, the affiliates of Seller shall be defined
         as: Suburban Propane, a division of Quantum Chemical Corporation;
         Quantum Chemical Corporation; Hanson PLC; and Millennium
         Petrochemicals, Inc.

              m. Licenses and Permits. Seller and its employees have all
    material licenses, permits and approvals required under federal law, the
    laws of the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas, or any local or
    regional governmental authority to conduct the business of Seller at all
    Locations. Seller will cooperate with Buyer in transferring to Buyer or its
    employees those licenses, permits or approvals which may be transferable.
    Seller has no knowledge of any facts or occurrences which constitute
    violations of any licensing, permit or other laws to which Seller, its
    employees or the Operations are subject.

              n. Compliance with Law and Applicable Government Regulations. With
    respect to the Operations, Seller has not previously failed nor is currently
    failing to comply with any applicable federal, state or local law or
    regulation, including without limitation, any energy, antitrust, health and
    safety or Environmental Laws and Regulations. With respect to the
    Operations, there are no proceedings of record, no proceedings are pending
    or to Seller's knowledge threatened, nor has Seller received any written
    notice regarding any violation of any law, ordinance, requirement, order,
    rule or regulation enforced by any governmental agency or other entity
    (federal, state or local) claiming jurisdiction over Seller, including
    without limitation, any requirement of OSHA or any pollution and/or
    environmental control agency.

                                       13
<PAGE>

              o. Insurance. Seller maintains in effect insurance covering
    Seller's Operations and any liabilities relating thereto in an amount
    believed adequate by Seller, and such insurance coverage shall be maintained
    by Seller through the Closing Date. The products liability and personal
    injury insurance maintained by Seller has been on an "occurrence" basis
    during the six-year period prior to the Closing Date. Seller has previously
    delivered to Buyer a true and complete schedule of its general liability
    insurance policies.

              p. Authorization. This Agreement and all documents and actions
    required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
    approved and authorized by the SP's Board of Supervisors and SSS's Board of
    Directors.

              q. Brokerage Fees and Expenses. Seller has no liability for
    brokerage fees or other commissions relative to this Agreement, or to the
    transactions contemplated hereby.

              r. Exhibits Correct. The exhibits and schedules attached hereto
    are true, complete and accurate as of the date hereof and Seller shall
    notify Buyer of all changes in such information in writing at the Closing so
    that such exhibits and schedules will be true, complete and correct as of
    the Closing Date.

              s. Warranties Correct, Etc. The representations and warranties of
    Seller contained in this Agreement or otherwise made in writing in
    connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
    true on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect (except as to
    transactions contemplated by this Agreement) as though such representations
    and warranties had been made on and as of such date, and each and all of the
    agreements and conditions to be performed or observed by Seller on or before
    the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof shall have been duly performed
    or observed.

              t. Disclaimer of other Representations and Warranties. Except as
    expressly set forth in this Section 3.1 or otherwise provided in this
    Agreement, Seller makes no representation or warranty, express or implied,
    at law or in equity, including any representation or warranty in respect of
    the Operations or the assets transferred or the liabilities assumed, or the
    MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE of the acquired assets
    and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly
    disclaimed.

         3.2 Representations and Warranties of Buyer. Buyer represents, warrants
and agrees to and with Seller as follows:

              a. Organizational Status. Buyer is a limited partnership duly
    organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state
    of Delaware and has the power and authority to own its property and to carry
    on its business as

                                       14
<PAGE>

    presently conducted. Buyer has full power and authority to execute this
    Agreement and carry out its obligations hereunder.

              b. Restrictions. Buyer is not subject to any restriction contained
    in any charter, partnership agreement, mortgage, lien, lease, agreement,
    instrument, order, judgment or decree, which would prevent the consummation
    of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

              c. Authorization. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
    hereby have been duly approved and authorized by all necessary corporate
    action of the Board of Directors of Buyer's general partner.

              d. Brokerage Fees and Expenses. Buyer shall indemnify Seller and
    hold Seller harmless against and in respect of any claim for brokerage fees
    or other commissions incurred or owing by Buyer relative to this Agreement,
    or to the transactions contemplated hereby, and also in respect of all
    expenses of any character incurred by Buyer in connection with this
    Agreement or such transactions.

              e. Investigation by Buyer. Buyer acknowledges that except for
    Seller's express representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement,
    Buyer is relying upon Buyer's own independent investigation of the assets
    acquired hereunder and liabilities assumed in entering into this Agreement.
    In entering into this Agreement, Buyer has relied solely upon the express
    representations, warranties and covenants of Seller set forth in Section 3
    hereof and Buyer's own investigation and analysis. Buyer further
    acknowledges, that except as expressly set forth in the representations and
    warranties in Section 3 there are NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
    MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

              f. Warranties Correct, Etc. The representations and warranties of
    Buyer contained in this Agreement or otherwise made in writing in connection
    with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be true on and as
    of the Closing Date with the same effect as though such representations and
    warranties had been made on and as of such date.

                                       15
<PAGE>

IV. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.

         4.1 Conditions to Buyer's Obligations. If, for any reason whatsoever,
the following conditions are not satisfied (or waived by Buyer) by the Closing,
then Buyer, at its option, may terminate this Agreement without further
obligation to Seller (other than for confidentiality, return of Seller
confidential information, liability for any prior breach of the Agreement and
those other provisions of this Agreement intended to survive):

              a. Documents. Seller shall have furnished Buyer with all
    documents, certificates and other instruments required to be furnished by
    Seller pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including without
    limitation, the Customer List, vehicle titles, and certified copies of
    resolutions duly adopted by the SP's Board of Supervisors and SSS's Board of
    Directors authorizing all action necessary to enable Seller to comply with
    the terms of this Agreement.

              b. No Actions or Proceedings. No material action or proceeding
    against Seller which is adverse to the Operations shall have been instituted
    or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened before a court or other
    governmental body or instituted or threatened by any public authority.

              c. Title Insurance. Buyer shall obtain a commitment for title
    insurance evidencing the obligation of a title insurer to insure
    merchantable fee simple title in Buyer subject to Permitted Real Estate
    Liens, as of the Closing Date, to the real property described in the deeds
    attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2.3, and Buyer's reasonable objections to the
    state of title shown on such commitment shall have been satisfied.

              d. No Material Adverse Change. No material adverse change in the
    amount or condition of the properties, assets, liabilities or business of
    Seller with respect to the Operations at the Locations, taken as a whole,
    shall have occurred during the period between the date of execution hereof
    and the Closing.

              e. Representations, Warranties, Etc. The representations and
    warranties of Seller hereunder shall be true when made and shall be true in
    all material respects at the Closing Date as though such representation and
    warranty had been made on the Closing Date, and Seller shall have
    substantially performed all covenants and agreements on its part required to
    be performed, and shall not be in default under any of the provisions of
    this Agreement, at the Closing Date.

         4.2 Conditions to Seller's Obligations. If, for any reason whatsoever,
the following conditions are not satisfied (or waived by Seller) by the Closing,
then Seller, at its option, may terminate this Agreement with no further
obligation to Buyer (other than for confidentiality, liability for any prior
breach of the Agreement and those other provisions of this Agreement intended to
survive):

                                       16
<PAGE>

              a. Deliveries. Buyer shall have furnished Seller with all
    documents, payments, certificates and other instruments required to be
    furnished to Seller by Buyer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

              b. Representations, Warranties, Etc. Each and every representation
    and warranty of Buyer hereunder shall be true in all material respects at
    the Closing Date as though such representation and warranty had been made on
    the Closing Date, and Buyer shall have substantially performed all covenants
    and agreements on its part required to be performed, and shall not be in
    default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, at the Closing Date.

V. FURTHER AGREEMENTS.

         5.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties; Indemnity.

              a. Warranty Survival. All of the representations and warranties of
    the Seller contained in Sections 3.1b, 3.1c, 3.1d, 3.1e, 3.1f, 3.1h, 3.1i,
    3.1j, 3.1k, 3.1m, 3.1n, 3.1o, 3.1q, 3.1r, and 3.1s above shall survive the
    Closing Date and continue in full force and effect for a period of eighteen
    (18) months thereafter. All of the representations and warranties of the
    Seller contained in Section 3.1g above shall survive the Closing Date and
    continue in full force and effect for a period of five (5) years thereafter.
    All of the representations and warranties of Seller contained in Section
    3.1l above shall survive the Closing Date and continue in full force and
    effect for a period of three (3) years thereafter. All of the covenants and
    the other representations and warranties of the parties contained in this
    Agreement shall survive the Closing Date and continue in full force and
    effect forever thereafter (subject to any applicable statutes of
    limitations).

              b. Seller Indemnification. Seller will indemnify and hold Buyer,
    Buyer's directors, officers and employees harmless against any loss, cost,
    liability or expense (including, without limitation, costs and expenses of
    litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees) (hereinafter "Damages") incurred
    or suffered by Buyer or any affiliate of Buyer as a result of (i) the
    incorrectness or breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants
    or agreements of Seller contained in this Agreement or given on the Closing
    Date or (ii) the assertion against Buyer of any liability of Seller;
    provided, however, that the Seller shall not have any obligation to
    indemnify the Buyer from and against any Damages resulting from, arising out
    of, relating to, in the nature of, or caused by (A) the breach of any such
    representation or warranty listed above until the Buyer has Damages by
    reason of all such breaches in excess of a $250,000 aggregate threshold (at
    which point the Seller will be obligated to indemnify the Buyer from and
    against all such Damages relating back to the first dollar), or for Damages
    in excess of a maximum aggregate of $5,000,000, or (B) the breach of the
    representations or any violation of Environmental Laws and Regulations
    except caused by the Operations or, with respect to the Transferred
    Properties, which occurred during the period of ownership, leasehold
    interest or operation by Seller or its affiliates. Without limiting the
    remedies available to Buyer to enforce the indemnities provided by this
    Section 5.1 and subject to the Escrow

                                       17
<PAGE>

    Agreement, Seller agrees that the amount of any Damages suffered by Buyer
    may be credited and set off against any sums of money at any time or from
    time to time payable or deliverable by Buyer or its successors to Seller.
    Individual Damages of less than $5,000 shall not be subject to
    indemnification and shall not count toward the aggregate threshold or the
    maximum aggregate. Seller shall have a further duty to indemnify Buyer for
    Damages incurred or suffered by Buyer arising out of or with respect to the
    environmental conditions listed on Exhibit 3.1l (to the extent the event or
    condition arose or occurred during the period of ownership, leasehold
    interest or operation by Seller or its affiliates) and the litigation listed
    on Exhibit 3.1j, subject to the aggregate threshold, maximum aggregate and
    individual Damages threshold set forth above.

              c. Buyer's Indemnification. Buyer will indemnify and hold Seller
    and Seller's directors, officers, and employees harmless against any Damages
    incurred or suffered by Seller or affiliate of Seller as a result of or
    arising from (i) the incorrectness or breach of any of the representations,
    warranties, covenants and agreements of Buyer contained in this Agreement or
    given on the Closing Date; or (ii) any Assumed Liability.

         5.2 Indemnification Procedures

              a. In the event that any legal proceedings shall be instituted or
    that any claim or demand ("Claim") shall be asserted by any third person in
    respect of which payment may be sought under Section 5.1 hereof, the
    indemnified party shall reasonably and promptly cause written notice of the
    assertion of any Claim of which it has knowledge which is covered by this
    indemnity to be forwarded to the indemnifying party. The indemnifying party
    shall have the right, at its sole option and expense, to be represented by
    counsel of its choice (which must be reasonably satisfactory to the
    indemnified party), and to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise
    deal with any Claim which relates to any Damages indemnified against
    hereunder. If the indemnifying party elects to defend against, negotiate,
    settle or otherwise deal with any Claim which relates to any Damages
    indemnified against hereunder, it shall within five (5) days (or sooner, if
    the nature of the Claim so requires) notify the indemnified party of its
    intent to do so. If the indemnifying party elects not to defend against,
    negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Claim which relates to any
    Damages indemnified against hereunder, fails to notify the indemnified party
    of its election as herein provided or contests its obligation to indemnify
    the indemnified party for such Damages under this Agreement, the indemnified
    party may defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with such
    Claim. If the indemnified party defends any Claim, then the indemnifying
    party shall reimburse the indemnified party for the costs and expenses
    (including reasonable attorneys' and other professionals' fees and expenses)
    of defending such Claim upon submission of periodic bills. If the
    indemnifying party shall assume the defense of any Claim, the indemnified
    party may participate, at his or its own expense, in the defense of such
    Claim; provided, however, that such indemnified party shall be entitled to
    participate in any such defense with separate counsel at the expense of the
    indemnifying party if, (i) so requested by the indemnifying party to
    participate or (ii) in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the indemnified
    party, a conflict or potential conflict exists between the indemnified party
    and the indemnifying party that would make such separate

                                       18
<PAGE>

    representation advisable; and provided, further, that the indemnifying party
    shall not be required to pay for more than one such counsel for all
    indemnified parties in connection with any Claim. The parties agree to
    cooperate fully with each other in connection with the defense, negotiation
    or settlement of any such Claim.

              b. In the case of a Claim brought by a third party, the party to
    be indemnified shall be reimbursed for any legal or other expenses
    reasonably incurred by the party to be indemnified in connection with
    investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred. In
    the case of a Claim brought by Seller against Buyer, or by Buyer against
    Seller, after any final judgment or award shall have been rendered by a
    court, arbitration board or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction
    and the expiration of the time in which to appeal there from, or a
    settlement shall have been consummated, or Buyer and Seller shall have
    arrived at a mutually binding agreement with respect to such a Claim, the
    indemnified party shall forward to the indemnifying party notice of any sums
    due and owing by the indemnifying party pursuant to this Agreement with
    respect to such matter and the indemnifying party shall be required to pay
    all of the sums so due and owing to the indemnified party by wire transfer
    of immediately available funds within 10 business days after the date of
    such notice.

              c. No settlement of any Claim may be made by the indemnifying
    party without the consent of the indemnified party unless such settlement
    releases the indemnified party from any liability in respect thereof and
    does not include any admission of culpability on the part of the indemnified
    party.

              d. In the event that an indemnified party should have a claim
    against the indemnifying party hereunder which does not involve a claim or
    demand being asserted by a third party, the indemnified party shall send a
    written notice with respect to such claim to the indemnifying party. The
    indemnifying party shall have 10 days from the date such notice is delivered
    during which to notify the indemnified party in writing of any good faith
    objections it has to the indemnified party's notice or claims for
    indemnification, setting forth in reasonable detail each of the indemnifying
    party's objections thereto. If the indemnifying party does deliver such
    written notice of objection within such 10-day period, the indemnifying
    party and the indemnified party shall attempt in good faith to resolve any
    such dispute within 10 days of the delivery by the indemnifying party of
    such written notice of objection.

         5.3 Indemnification as Sole Remedy. Except in connection with fraud or
specific performance, Buyer acknowledges that the indemnification provisions
contained in this Section 5 constitute Buyer's sole and exclusive remedy with
respect to any claims or disputes arising out of or in connection with the
Agreement.

         5.4 Covenants Against Competition.

              a. Seller agrees that Seller, and Seller's affiliates and officers
    will not (i) for the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending five
    years after such date, reveal, make known or use, directly or indirectly,
    any confidential business information

                                       19
<PAGE>

    (including without limitation, customer lists and records) sold to Buyer
    pursuant to this Agreement, nor (ii) for the period commencing on the
    Closing Date and ending three years after such date, within a 50-mile radius
    of the location of any of Seller's Operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri
    or Kansas, directly or indirectly (whether as owner, director, shareholder
    (with the exception of beneficial ownership by such persons or entities,
    individually and in the aggregate, of not more than five percent of the
    outstanding equity securities of any publicly held corporation), employee,
    officer, agent, broker, dealer, representative or in any other capacity),
    (a) solicit, market or provide or attempt to market or provide to any person
    or entity either propane, tanks, cylinders or any other products or services
    associated with the Operations, (b) divert or attempt to divert from Buyer
    any business with any customer or account with which Seller had any contact
    or association, which was under the supervision of Seller, or the identity
    of which was learned by Seller as a result of conducting the Operations, (c)
    induce any salesperson, distributor, manufacturer, representative, agent,
    jobber or other person transacting business with Buyer at the Locations to
    terminate his, her or its relationship or association with Buyer, or to
    represent, distribute or sell services or products in competition with the
    services or products of Buyer, (d) induce or cause any employee of Buyer at
    the Locations to leave the employ of Buyer or (e) lend money to, invest in
    or otherwise assist in any manner any individual or entity engaged in
    activities described in (a), (b), (c) or (d) above. Notwithstanding the
    preceding, the restrictions of this Section 5.4 shall not be construed in
    any manner to prohibit or restrict the Seller, from directly or indirectly
    (i) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of any
    of the entities listed on Exhibit 5.4, or their successors or assigns.
    Recognizing the irreparable nature of the injury which would be caused Buyer
    by violation of this Section 5.4, Seller agrees that in addition to and
    without limitation of any rights which Buyer might have hereunder, any
    violation of this Section 5.4 shall be the proper subject matter for
    immediate injunctive relief and Buyer shall have the right to offset any
    Damages it might have incurred by reason of any breach hereof against any
    sums of money at any time deliverable by Buyer or its successors to Seller
    subject to the Escrow Agreement.

              b. If any covenant, undertaking or other provision of Section 5.4a
    hereof shall be determined to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being
    enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other covenants,
    undertakings and provisions of such Section shall nevertheless remain in
    full force and effect and shall be deemed separable and divisible from all
    other covenants, undertakings and provisions thereof and none shall be
    deemed to be dependent upon any other unless so expressed herein. If any
    provision of such Section relating to time periods or geographical area is
    found by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum time period
    or geographical area such court deems reasonable and enforceable, the
    parties agree that such court may enforce such provisions for the maximum
    time period and/or geographical area as the court finds to be reasonable.

         5.5 Retained Access. Following the Closing, to the extent reasonably
required for any bona fide business purpose, Buyer will allow, and will use its
reasonable efforts to cause its affiliates to allow, Seller (and Seller's
agents, representatives and affiliates) access to all business records
concerning the Operations, the acquired assets hereunder or the Assumed

                                       20
<PAGE>

Liabilities which relate to the period prior to the Closing Date and will permit
such person to make copies of same. Such access will be granted upon reasonable
advance notice, during normal business hours, and in such a manner so as not to
interfere unreasonably with the operations of the Business. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, if either Buyer or Seller or any of its affiliates
actively is contesting or defending against any charge, complaint, action, suit,
proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim or demand in connection with (a) any
transaction contemplated hereby, or (b) any fact, situation, circumstances,
status, condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident,
action, failure to act, or transaction on or prior to the Closing relating to
the Operations, then the other party will cooperate, and use its reasonable
efforts to cause its affiliates to cooperate, with the contesting or defending
party and its counsel in such contest or defense, make available such other
party's and its affiliates' personnel and provide such testimony and access to
books and records as are reasonably requested in connection with such contest or
defense, all at the contesting or defending party's expense.

         5.6 Taxes. Buyer shall be solely responsible for the payment of any
sales or transfer or other taxes as may be required to paid in connection with
the transactions provided for herein, together with all documentary, filing and
recording taxes, fees and charges associated with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. All personal property and other taxes and assessments based
upon or measured by the ownership of property, or the receipt of proceeds
therefrom, shall be prorated between Seller and Buyer as of the Closing Date;
provided, however, that each party shall be responsible for its own income and
franchise taxes. Seller may require Buyer to remit any and all applicable taxes
to Seller; under these circumstances, Seller shall be responsible for remitting
said taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities.

         5.7 Employees. Except as set forth on Exhibit 5.7, Buyer agrees to
extend offers of employment to all employees of Seller who shall be working as
of the Closing Date at any of the Locations and who meet Buyer's employment
qualifications and criteria, and shall employ such employees who accept such
offers ("Hired Employees") at no less than the same wage or salary rate in
effect and on other terms, conditions, and benefits as are provided to similarly
situated employees of the Buyer.

         5.8 Name Change; Use of Seller's Name. Buyer shall remove the name and
logo of Seller from the assets at the Locations within a commercially reasonable
time, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the Closing for primary
locations, and at secondary locations and customer locations six (6) months
after the Closing, at Buyer's sole cost and expense. From and after the Closing,
Buyer shall use only Buyer's own name when taking action in respect of the
Operations or in connection with any Location. Buyer shall not state, represent
or imply that Buyer is connected in any manner with, or acting for or on behalf
of, Seller or any of Seller's affiliates. Buyer shall not (a) use the marks
and/or names of, or otherwise refer to Seller or any of Seller's affiliates or
(b) use any names and/or marks similar to the names and/or marks of any Seller
or any of Seller's affiliates.

         5.9 Confidential Information. The parties acknowledge and agree that
the Confidentiality Agreements dated February 26, 2003 and April 4, 2003 between
Seller as "Discloser" and Buyer as "Disclosee" remain in full force and effect
and shall survive the

                                       21
<PAGE>

termination of this Agreement, but shall not survive the Closing, and if Closing
occurs, shall be null and void thereafter.

         5.10 Public Announcements. All public announcements prior to and on the
Closing Date relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby,
including announcements to employees, will be made only as may be agreed upon
jointly by the parties hereto; provided, however, that Buyer or Seller may make
any public disclosure it believes in good faith is required by applicable law or
stock exchange requirement (in which case the disclosing party will use its
reasonable best efforts to advise the other party prior to making the
disclosure)..

         5.11 Notices. Any notice, request, instrument or other document to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by
certified or registered mail, postage prepaid:

                    If to Buyer, addressed as follows:

                             Ferrellgas, L.P.
                             c/o Ferrellgas, Inc.
                             One Liberty Plaza
                             Liberty, Missouri 64068
                             Attention: Kenneth A. Heinz, Sr. Vice President,
                             Corporate Development

         with a copy to:

                            Bryan Cave LLP
                            1200 Main Street, Suite 3500
                            Kansas City, Missouri 64105
                            Attention: Morris K. Withers, Esq.

                   If to Seller, addressed as follows:

                            Suburban Propane, L.P.
                            240 Route 10 West, P.O. Box 206
                            Whippany, NJ 07981
                            Attention:  Janice Meola, Esq.

         with a copy to:

                            Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A.
                            Court Plaza North
                            25 Main Street
                            Hackensack, NJ 07601
                            Attention: Alan Rubin, Esq.

                                       22
<PAGE>

or to such other address as any of the parties hereto may designate by notice
given as above provided. Any item sent by registered or certified mail, as above
provided, will be deemed given when deposited in the United States mails.

         5.12 Risk of Loss. Seller shall bear the risk of loss or damage to the
properties and assets to be sold hereunder until the Closing.

         5.13 Bulk Sales Law. Buyer waives compliance by Seller with the
provisions of any applicable bulk sales, fraudulent conveyance or other law for
the protection of creditors of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable
in connection with the transfer of the assets under this Agreement and in
consideration of such waiver, Seller agrees to indemnify Buyer and hold Buyer
harmless from and against any Damages arising out of or resulting from such
non-compliance.

         5.14 Vehicle Leases. Seller shall negotiate a settlement of the vehicle
leases for all vehicles used in the Operations at the Locations and Buyer shall
then direct its vehicle leasing company to purchase of all such vehicles, at
which time Seller shall arrange for its leasing company to provide title to such
vehicles as directed by Buyer. Buyer shall pay all transfer taxes relating to
such transaction. The parties acknowledge that the leased vehicles transactions
will not be consummated prior to Closing, and Seller shall make all leased
vehicles available for use by Buyer in conducting operations effective on the
Closing Date. In the event that the buyout of the leases owned by LeasePlan,
Donlen, Fleet Capital, Verizon, GE Capital, Emigrant and All First (with respect
to leased vehicles) are not executed at the time of the Closing, Buyer and
Seller agree as follows:

              (a) Buyer may operate in the ordinary course of business, but
    shall not remove from the Locations, the vehicles corresponding to those
    leases until the buyout and purchase by Buyer's leasing company are executed
    by all relevant parties; and

              (b) Provided Buyer has diligently pursued good faith efforts to
    complete the transactions contemplated by this Section, if a buyout for any
    vehicle is not executed within sixty (60) days of the Closing Date, Seller
    shall buyout the lease on any such vehicles and Buyer shall reimburse Seller
    for the buyout amount, after which Seller shall transfer title to said
    vehicles. Each party shall pay its own transfer taxes in that event. In the
    event that Seller, after good faith efforts, is unable to transfer title to
    any vehicle to Buyer pursuant to the terms above, Buyer may purchase a new
    vehicle of a similar make, model and type in which case Seller shall pay to
    Buyer the difference between the cost of the replacement vehicle and the
    buyout value of the existing vehicle.

              (c) At all times that Seller is a guarantor or otherwise remains
    potentially liable in any manner with respect to any motor vehicle lease
    (each, a "Vehicle Lease") set forth on Exhibit 3.1d: (i) Buyer shall
    faithfully abide by, perform and discharge, at its sole cost and expense,
    each and every obligation, covenant and agreement under such Vehicle Lease
    arising after the Closing Date and shall do so prior

                                       23
<PAGE>

    to the expiration of any applicable grace or cure period. Buyer hereby
    agrees to indemnify and hold Seller harmless from and against any and all
    loss, cost, expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees), damage and
    liability incurred by Seller as a result of claims brought against Seller
    with respect to the performance of all of the terms, covenants and
    conditions of such Vehicle Lease to be performed from and after the Closing
    Date. (ii) Buyer shall not modify, amend or alter the terms or provisions of
    such Vehicle Lease, and otherwise shall not take any action that could, in
    either case, reasonably be expected to increase the aggregate liability of
    Buyer or Seller thereunder. (iii) Buyer shall not (A) sell, encumber,
    assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of such Vehicle Lease, the motor
    vehicles in respect thereof (in respect of any such Lease, the "Leased Motor
    Vehicle") or Buyer's interest therein, whether effected voluntarily or
    involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, or
    (B) consent to or enter into any contract, agreement or arrangement to take
    any action prohibited by clause (A) above. (iv) Buyer shall faithfully
    maintain any and all insurance requirements set forth by the Lessor of the
    Leased Motor Vehicles.

              (d) If Buyer shall fail to perform any covenant contained in any
    Vehicle Lease and does not cure said failure within ten days of receipt of
    written notice of said failure, (i) Seller may (but shall have no obligation
    to) make advances to perform the same on Buyer's behalf, and all sums so
    advanced shall be repaid by Buyer immediately upon the demand of Seller,
    (ii) Buyer shall transfer such Vehicle Lease and surrender possession of the
    related Leased Motor Vehicle to Seller immediately upon the demand of Seller
    and (iii) Seller shall be authorized, absent voluntary surrender by Buyer,
    to assume the obligations of Buyer under the applicable Vehicle Lease and to
    take possession of the Leased Motor Vehicle subject to such Lease. To secure
    the prompt and complete performance and observance of the covenants and
    other obligations of Buyer above, Buyer hereby grants, conveys, pledges,
    hypothecates and transfers to Seller a security interest in and to all of
    Buyer's right, title and interest in and to the Vehicle Leases and the
    Leased Motor Vehicles.

         5.15 Tax Disclosures. Notwithstanding any other agreement among the
parties or anything else herein to the contrary, each party to this Agreement
(and any employee, representative or other agent thereof) may disclose to any
and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the U.S. federal income tax
treatment and any tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax
analyses) that are provided to it relating to such tax treatment and tax
structure; provided, that no party (or any employee, representative or other
agent thereof) shall disclose pursuant to this section (i) any information that
is not relevant to an understanding of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the identity of any
party to this Agreement (or its employees, representatives or agents) or other
information that could lead any person to determine such identity or (ii) any
information to the extent such disclosure could result in a violation of any
federal or state securities laws; and provided further, that this section shall
not apply until the earliest of (a) the date of public announcement of
discussions relating to the transactions, (b) the date of public announcement of
the transactions, or (c) the date of execution of an agreement, with or without
consideration, to enter into the transactions.

                                       24
<PAGE>

         5.16 Miscellaneous. This Agreement, including the documents and
exhibits referred to herein, contains the entire understanding of the parties
hereto and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or undertakings of
the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and may be
amended only by a written instrument executed by all of the parties hereto.
Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such
a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision
of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or declared invalid under applicable
law, such provision shall be void and of no effect and the remaining provisions
of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement shall be
a contract made under, governed by and construed under, the laws of the state of
Delaware, except no doctrine of choice of law shall be used to apply any law
other than that of the state of Delaware. This Agreement shall be binding upon,
and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors,
assigns and personal representatives; provided, however, that no assignment by
any party hereto of any right hereunder shall be made on or prior to the Closing
Date, and no assignment, by operation of law or otherwise, shall relieve any
party of its obligations hereunder. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
shall constitute together but one and the same instrument.

                            (SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE)

                                       25
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Purchase and
Noncompetition Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above
written.

SELLER:                                       BUYER:

SUBURBAN PROPANE, L.P.                        FERRELLGAS, L.P.

                                          By: Ferrellgas, Inc., General Partner

By: /s/Michael J. Dunn, Jr.               By: /s/Kenneth A. Heinz, Sr.
    -----------------------                   ------------------------
    Senior Vice President,                    Senior Vice President, Corporate
    Corporate Development                     Development

Fed. ID # 22-3410352                          Fed. ID # 43-1698481

SUBURBAN SALES AND SERVICE, INC.

By: /s/Michael J. Dunn, Jr
    ----------------------

Fed. ID # 22-3410352

                                       26exv10w1

 

EXHIBIT 10.01

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     Technology Solutions Company, a Delaware corporation doing business as
TSC, and Michael R. Gorsage (“Employee”) enter into this Employment Agreement
(“Agreement”) as of May 6, 2004.

     In consideration of the agreements and covenants contained in this
Agreement, TSC and Employee agree as follows:

     1. Employment Duties: TSC shall employ Employee as President, Chief
Executive Officer, and Employee shall be elected by TSC’s Board of Directors as
a Director. Employee shall perform all duties incident to the office of the
President and such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the
Board of Directors. Employee shall perform faithfully these duties to the best
of his ability and shall devote his full and undivided business time and
attention to the transaction of TSC’s business.

     2. Term of Employment: The term of employment (“Term of Employment”)
covered by this Agreement shall commence as of the effective date of this
Agreement and continue until terminated pursuant to Section 3 below.

     3. Termination: TSC may terminate Employee’s employment for any reason
upon giving Employee 90 days notice of the termination. TSC may make such
termination effective at any time within such 90 day notice period. TSC must,
however, for two years following the effective date of his termination:
continue to pay a salary to Employee, equal to 60% of his salary at the
effective date of termination; and, continue to pay TSC’s share of Employee’s
health insurance benefits. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, if Employee is
terminated after he has been employed by TSC for two years, TSC’s salary
continuation obligation shall be reduced to 50% of Employee’s salary at the
effective date of termination for a period of two years. Employee shall be
entitled to receive the salary and benefit payments without any mitigation
obligations.

     TSC may terminate Employee’s employment and this Agreement immediately
without notice and with no salary and benefit continuation if Employee engages
in “Serious Misconduct.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Serious Misconduct”
means embezzlement or misappropriation of corporate funds, other acts of
dishonesty, significant activities materially harmful to TSC’s reputation,
willful refusal to perform or substantial disregard of Employee’s assigned
duties (including, but not limited to, refusal to travel or work the requested
hours), or any significant violation of any statutory or common law duty of
loyalty to TSC. Employee may terminate his employment upon giving TSC 90 days
prior written notice. Upon receiving notice, TSC may waive its rights under
this paragraph and make Employee’s termination effective immediately or anytime
before the 90 day notice period ends. Employee agrees that if and when his

 

 

termination of employment with TSC becomes effective, he shall tender his
resignation as a Director of TSC’s Board of Directors immediately thereafter,
which tender may be accepted at the sole discretion of TSC’s Board of
Directors.

     If following a Change in Control (which is defined as (i) the acquisition
by any individual, entity or group, of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
of Rule 13 d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 40% or
more of the outstanding shares of the common stock of TSC; (ii) the approval of
the stockholders of TSC of a merger, where immediately after the merger,
persons who were the holders of a majority of TSC’s outstanding common stock
immediately prior to the merger fail to own at least a majority of the
outstanding common stock of the surviving entity in substantially the same
proportions as their holdings of TSC common stock immediately prior to the
merger; or, (iii) the sale of substantially all the assets of TSC other than to
a corporation in which more that 60% of the outstanding shares are beneficially
owned by the individuals and entities who are the beneficial owners of the
Company stock prior to the acquisition, Employee’s title, position, duties, or
salary is diminished and Employee provides notice of resignation within 90
days after the diminishment becomes effective which is thereafter accepted, or
if Employee is ordered to relocate permanently from his residence as of the
time of the Change in Control and Employee declines and is terminated, Employee
shall be entitled to receive within (5) days following the acceptance of his
resignation or his termination: Employee’s base salary as of the time of the
Change in Control for one year; a bonus equal to the average annual bonus
earned during the two years immediately preceding the Change in Control (which
in no event shall be less that $150,000); and health insurance benefits for one
year. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of Employee’s stock
option agreements, Employee’s unvested TSC shares at option shall vest
automatically upon a Change in Control.

     If it appears reasonably likely that any of the payments to Employee
provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments which Employee
has the right to receive from TSC or any corporation which is a member of an
“affiliated group” (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to
Section 1504(b) of the Internal Revenue Code) of which TSC is a member, could
constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code), TSC shall retain an independent expert appraiser who
shall determine the value of Employee’s non-compete which could be deducted
when calculating the value of the parachute payment.

     4. Salary: As compensation for his services, TSC shall pay Employee a
base salary in the amount listed in Exhibit A to this Agreement. Employee’s
base salary shall be subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors and may, at their discretion, be adjusted upward from
that listed in Exhibit A.

     5. Bonuses: The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may, at
its sole discretion, elect to pay Employee an annual bonus pursuant to a plan
similar to the plan covering TSC’s senior employees . If an annual bonus is to
be paid, Employee is to receive 50% of his salary if he achieves his target
objectives and 100% of his salary if he achieves his “stretch” objectives. The
objectives are to be set by the Compensation

2

 

Committee of the Board. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, Employee shall
be guaranteed a bonus of at least $150 thousand for 2004, payable when bonuses
a would normally be paid in 2005.

     6. Employee Benefits: During the Term of Employment, Employee shall be
entitled to participate in such employee benefit plans, including group
pension, life and health insurance and other medical benefits, and shall
receive all other fringe benefits as TSC may make available generally to its
Senior Vice Presidents.

     7. Business Expenses: TSC shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable and
necessary business expenses incurred by Employee in performing his duties.
Employee shall provide TSC with supporting documentation sufficient to satisfy
reporting requirements of the Internal Revenue Service and TSC. TSC’s
determination as to reasonableness and necessary shall be final.

     8. Noncompetition and Nondisclosure: Employee acknowledges that the
successful development and marketing of TSC’s professional services and
products require substantial time and expense. Such efforts generate for TSC
valuable and proprietary information (“Confidential Information”) which gives
TSC a business advantage over others who do not have such information.
Confidential Information of TSC and its clients and prospects includes, but is
not limited to, the following: business strategies and plans; proposals;
deliverables; prospects and customer lists; methodologies; training materials;
and computer software. Employee acknowledges that during the Term of
Employment, he will obtain knowledge of such Confidential Information.
Accordingly, Employee agrees to undertake the following obligations which he
acknowledges to be reasonably designed to protect TSC’s legitimate business
interests without unnecessarily or unreasonably restricting Employee’s
post-employment opportunities:

     (a) Upon termination of the Term of Employment for any reason, Employee
shall return all TSC property, including but not limited to computer programs,
files, notes, records, charts, or other documents or things containing in whole
or in part any of TSC’s Confidential Information;

     (b) During the Term of Employment and subsequent to termination, Employee
agrees to treat all such Confidential Information as confidential and to take
all necessary precautions against disclosure of such information to third
parties during and after Employee’s employment with TSC. Employee shall
refrain from using or disclosing to any person, without the prior written
approval of TSC’s Chief Executive Officer any Confidential Information unless
at that time the information has become generally and lawfully known to TSC’s
competitors;

     (c) Without limiting the obligations of paragraph 8(b), Employee shall
not, for a period of one year following his termination of employment for any
reason, for himself or as an agent, partner or employee of any person, firm or
corporation, engage in the practice of consulting for any client of TSC for
whom Employee performed services, or

3

 

prospective TSC client to whom Employee submitted, or assisted in the
submission of a proposal during the one year period preceding his termination
of employment;

     (d) During a one year period immediately following Employee’s termination
of employment for any reason, Employee shall not induce or assist in the
inducement of any TSC employee away from TSC’s employ or from the faithful
discharge of such employee’s contractual and fiduciary obligations to serve
TSC’s interests with undivided loyalty;

     (e) For one year following his termination of employment for any reason,
Employee shall keep TSC currently advised in writing of the name and address of
each business organization for which he acts as agent, partner, representative
or employee.

     9. Remedies: Employee recognizes and agrees that a breach of any or all
of the provisions of paragraph 8 will constitute immediate and irreparable harm
to TSC’s business advantage, including but not limited to TSC’s valuable
business relations, for which damages cannot be readily calculated and for
which damages are an inadequate remedy. Accordingly, Employee acknowledges
that TSC shall therefore be entitled to an order enjoining any further breaches
by the Employee. In an action brought to enforce this Agreement, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the enforcement of its
rights under any provision of this Agreement.

     10. Intellectual Property: During the Term of Employment, Employee shall
disclose to TSC all ideas, inventions and business plans which he develops
during the course of his employment with TSC which relate directly or
indirectly to TSC’s business, including but not limited to any computer
programs, processes, products or procedures which may, upon application, be
protected by patent or copyright. Employee agrees that any such ideas,
inventions or business plans shall be the property of TSC and that Employee
shall at TSC’s request and cost, provide TSC with such assurances as is
necessary to secure a patent or copyright.

     11. Assignment: Employee acknowledges that the services to be rendered
pursuant to this Agreement are unique and personal. Accordingly, Employee may
not assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under
this Agreement. TSC’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement may
be assigned to a subsidiary or affiliated company of TSC and shall be binding
upon any purchaser or transferee of a majority of TSC’s outstanding capital
stock or a purchaser of all, or substantially all, of the assets of TSC.

     12. Notices: All notices shall be in writing, except for notice of
termination of employment, which may be oral if confirmed in writing within 14
days. Notices intended for TSC shall be sent by registered or certified mail
addressed to it at 205 North Michigan Avenue, 15th Floor, Chicago, Illinois
60601 or its current principal office, and notices intended for Employee shall
be either delivered personally to him or sent by registered or certified mail
addressed to his last known address.

4

 

     13. Entire Agreement: With the exception of TSC’s Stock Option Agreement,
this Agreement and Exhibit A attached hereto constitute the entire agreement
between TSC and Employee. Neither Employee nor TSC may modify this Agreement
by oral agreements, promises or representations. The parties may modify this
Agreement only by a written instrument signed by the parties.

     14. Applicable Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

     15. Mediation of Disputes: Neither party shall initiate arbitration or
other legal proceedings (except for any claim under Paragraph 8 of this
Agreement for temporary injunctive relief), against the other party, or, in the
case of TSC, any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or
representatives, relating in any way to this Agreement, to Employee’s
employment with TSC, the termination of his employment or any or all other
claims that one party might have against the other party until 30 days after
the party against whom the claim[s] is made (“Respondent”) receives written
notice from the claiming party of the specific nature of any purported claim
and the amount of any purported damages. Employee and TSC further agree that
if Respondent submits the claiming party’s claim to the Center for Public
Resources, 680 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10019, for nonbinding mediation
prior to the expiration of such 30 day period, the claiming party may not
institute arbitration or other legal proceedings against Respondent until the
earlier of (i) the completion of nonbinding mediation efforts, or (ii) 90 days
after the date on which the Respondent received written notice of the
claimant’s claim.

     16. Binding Arbitration: Employee and TSC agree that all claims or
disputes relating to his employment with TSC or the termination of such
employment, and any and all other claims that Employee might have against TSC,
any TSC director, officer, employee, agent, or representative, and any and all
claims or disputes that TSC might have against Employee (except for any claims
for temporary injunctive relief under Paragraph 8 of this Agreement) shall be
resolved under the Expedited Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Any arbitration held pursuant to this paragraph shall be
conducted at a mutually approved geographic location and all arbitration costs
shall be shared equally by the parties. If either party pursues a claim and
such claim results in an Arbitrator’s decision, both parties agree to accept
such decision as final and binding. TSC and Employee agree that any action
seeking temporary injunctive relief under Paragraph 8 of this Agreement shall
be brought in the Circuit Court for Cook County, Illinois.

     17. Severability: Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited
by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to
the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the
remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

5

 

     18. Employee acknowledges that he has read, understood and accepts the
provisions of this Agreement.

	 	 	 	 	 
	Technology Solutions Company	 	Employee
	 
	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/Timothy P. Dimond
	 	     /s/ Michael R. Gorsage
	

	 	
 
	 	
 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Position: Sr. Vice President and CFO	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Date: May 6, 2004	 	Date: May 6, 2004

6

 

EXHIBIT A

EMPLOYEE: Michael R. Gorsage

POSITION: President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

BASE SALARY: $350 Thousand Per Annum

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 6, 2004

	 	 	 
	

	 	      /s/ Michael R. Gorsage
	

	 	
 
	

	 	Michael R. Gorsage
	 
	 	 
	

	 	      May 6, 2004
	

	 	
 
	

	 	Date
	 
	 	 
	

	 	      /s/ Timothy P. Dimond
	

	 	
 
	

	 	Technology Solutions Company
	 
	 	 
	

	 	      May 6, 2004

	

	 	Date

7

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