Document:

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                                                                  Exhibit 10.14

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                                                                [Execution Copy]

                            SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT

                              Dated April 10, 2001

                                      Among

                           M-FOODS DAIRY HOLDINGS, LLC

                                       AND

                            THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO

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                               Table of Contents

                                                                          Page

ARTICLE I
      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES..........................1
      1.1   Representations and Warranties of the Company....................1
      1.2   Representations and Warranties of the Securityholders............2

ARTICLE II
      VOTING AGREEMENTS......................................................2
      2.1   Election of Management Committee Members and Directors...........2
      2.2   Other Voting Matters.............................................3

ARTICLE III
      TRANSFERS OF SECURITIES................................................4
      3.1   Restrictions on Transfer of Securities...........................4
      3.2   Restrictions on Transfers of Vestar Securities...................4
      3.3   Securities Act Compliance........................................7
      3.4   Certain Transferees Bound by Agreement...........................7
      3.5   Transfers in Violation of Agreement..............................7

ARTICLE IV
      TAKE-ALONG RIGHTS ON APPROVED SALE.....................................8
      4.1   Take-Along Rights................................................8

ARTICLE V
      REGISTRATION RIGHTS....................................................9
      5.1   Demand Registrations.............................................9
      5.2   Incidental Registration.........................................11
      5.3   Holdback Agreements.............................................13
      5.4   Registration Procedures.........................................14
      5.5   Registration Expenses...........................................17
      5.6   Indemnification; Contribution...................................17
      5.7   Rule 144........................................................20
      5.8   Underwritten Registrations......................................20
      5.9   No Inconsistent Agreements......................................20

ARTICLE VI
      PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS....................................................20
      6.1   Issuance of New Securities to Affiliates........................20

ARTICLE VII
      AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.............................................22
      7.1   Amendment and Waiver............................................22

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      7.2   Termination of Certain Provisions...............................22
      7.3   Termination of Agreement........................................22
      7.4   Termination as to a Party.......................................23

ARTICLE VIII
      MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................23
      8.1   Certain Defined Terms...........................................23
      8.2   Legends.........................................................29
      8.3   Severability....................................................30
      8.4   Entire Agreement................................................31
      8.5   Successors and Assigns..........................................31
      8.6   Counterparts....................................................31
      8.7   Remedies........................................................31
      8.8   Notices.........................................................31
      8.9   Governing Law...................................................33
      8.10  Descriptive Headings............................................33

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                            SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT

            THIS SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as
of April 10, 2001 by and among (i) M-Foods Dairy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company (the "Company"), (ii) Vestar Capital Partners IV,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Vestar/Michael, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, and any other investment fund managed by Vestar Capital
Partners that at any time acquires Securities and executes a counterpart of this
Agreement or otherwise agrees to be bound by this Agreement (collectively,
"Vestar"), (iii) Marathon Dairy Investment Corp., a Minnesota corporation
("Marathon"), (iv) the Michael Family Securityholders (as defined herein), (v)
the initial parties to this Agreement who are identified as Employees on the
signature pages hereto (each, an "Employee," collectively, the "Employees"), and
(vi) each other holder of Securities who hereafter executes a separate agreement
to be bound by the terms hereof (which holder (unless such holder is an employee
of the Company or its Affiliates in which case such holder, after executing a
separate agreement to be bound by the terms hereof, shall be treated as a holder
of Employee Securities hereunder) shall be treated similar to a holder of
Marathon Securities except that such holder shall not be entitled to demand
registration rights) (Vestar, Marathon, the Michael Family Securityholders, the
Employees and each other Person that is or may become a party to this Agreement
as contemplated hereby are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the
"Securityholders" and individually as a "Securityholder"). Certain capitalized
terms used herein are defined in Section 8.1.

            The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES

            1.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
hereby represents and warrants to the Securityholders that as of the date of
this Agreement:

            (a) it is a limited liability company duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, it has
full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and the execution, delivery and
performance by it of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability
company action;

            (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by the Company and constitutes a legal and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms; and

            (c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this
Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not, with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both
(i) violate any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which the
Company is subject, (ii) violate any order, judgment or decree applicable to the
Company or (iii) conflict with, or result in a breach or default under, any term
or condition of the
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Company's organizational documents or any agreement or instrument to which the
Company is a party or by which it is bound.

            1.2 Representations and Warranties of the Securityholders. Each
Securityholder (as to himself or itself only) represents and warrants to the
Company and the other Securityholders that, as of the time such Securityholder
becomes a party to this Agreement:

            (a) this Agreement (or the separate joinder agreement executed by
such Securityholder) has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such
Securityholder, and this Agreement constitutes a legal and binding obligation of
such Securityholder, enforceable against such Securityholder in accordance with
its terms; and

            (b) the execution, delivery and performance by such Securityholder
of this Agreement (or any joinder to this Agreement, if applicable) and the
consummation by such Securityholder of the transactions contemplated hereby (and
thereby, if applicable) will not, with or without the giving of notice or lapse
of time, or both, (i) violate any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation
to which such Securityholder is subject, (ii) violate any order, judgment or
decree applicable to such Securityholder or (iii) conflict with, or result in a
breach or default under, any term or condition of any agreement or other
instrument to which such Securityholder is a party or by which such
Securityholder is bound.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                VOTING AGREEMENTS

            2.1 Election of Management Committee Members and Directors.

            (a) Each Person, other than the Company, that is a party to this
Agreement hereby agrees that such Person will vote, or cause to be voted, all
voting securities of the Company over which such Person has the power to vote or
direct the voting, and will take all other necessary or desirable action within
such Person's control, and the Company will take all necessary and desirable
actions within its control, to cause the authorized number of members or
directors for each of the respective management committees or boards of
directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries to be established at up to nine
directors, and to elect or cause to be elected to the respective management
committees or boards of directors of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
and cause to be continued in office, the following individuals:

            (i)   up to five (5) members/directors designated by the Vestar
                  Majority Holders (the "Vestar Directors");

            (ii)  one (1) member/director designated by the Marathon Majority
                  Holders (the "Marathon Director");

            (iii) one (1) member/director designated by the Michael Family
                  Majority Holders (the "Michael Family Director");

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            (iv)  one (1) member/director, who shall be the chief executive
                  officer of the Company (the "Management Director"); and

            (v)   one (1) member/director designated by the chief executive
                  officer of the Company; provided that such member/director is
                  not a member, or former member, of the Company's or its
                  Subsidiaries' management or an employee or officer or former
                  employee or officer of the Company or its Subsidiaries (the
                  "CEO Designated Director").

            (b) If at any time either the Vestar Majority Holders, the Marathon
Majority Holders, the Michael Family Majority Holders or the chief executive
officer of the Company, as the case may be, shall notify the other parties to
this Agreement of their desire to remove, with or without cause, any individual
from a Company or Subsidiary membership/directorship for which such Person or
Persons have designation rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above, all such
parties so notified will vote, or cause to be voted, all voting securities of
the Company and its Subsidiaries over which they have the power to vote or
direct the voting, and shall take all such other actions promptly as shall be
necessary or desirable to cause the removal of such member/director. If the
Management Director ceases to be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries,
such Management Director and the CEO Designated Director shall be removed
promptly after such time from each board and management committee.

            (c) If at any time any Vestar Director, the Marathon Director, the
Michael Family Director or the CEO Designated Director ceases to serve on the
management committee or board of directors of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company (whether due to resignation, removal or otherwise), the
Securityholders entitled to designate the Vestar Directors, the Marathon
Director, the Michael Family Director or the CEO Designated Director as
appropriate, shall be entitled to designate a successor member/director to fill
the vacancy created thereby on the terms and subject to the conditions of
paragraph (a) above. Each Person that is a party hereto agrees to vote, or cause
to be voted, all voting securities of the Company and its Subsidiaries over
which such Person has the power to vote or direct the voting, and shall take all
such other actions as shall be necessary or desirable to cause the designated
successor to be elected to fill such vacancy.

            (d) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to impair any
rights that the unitholders or stockholders of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company may have to remove any director for cause under applicable law, the
LLC Agreement of the Company or the organizational documents of such Subsidiary,
as the case may be. No such removal of an individual designated pursuant to this
Section 2.1 for cause shall affect any of the Securityholders' rights to
designate a different individual pursuant to this Section 2.1 to fill the
position from which such individual was removed.

            (e) Subject to Section 7.2, the provisions of this Section 2.1 shall
remain in effect following the first Public Offering.

            2.2 Other Voting Matters. In order to effectuate the provisions of
Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1, each holder of Employee Securities hereby grants to
Gregg A. Ostrander, or if Gregg A. Ostrander shall cease to be the chief
executive officer of Michael Foods, Inc., to his successor in

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such position with Michael Foods, Inc., or if the chief executive officer of
Michael Foods, Inc. shall be unable to exercise this proxy due to illness or
absence or if the position of chief executive officer of Michael Foods, Inc.
shall be vacant, to the chief financial officer of Michael Foods, Inc., a proxy
to vote at any annual or special meeting of Securityholders, or to take any
action by written consent in lieu of such meeting with respect to, or to
otherwise take action in respect of, all of the Securities owned or held of
record by such holder in connection with the matters set forth in Sections 2.1
and 2.2 in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.1 and 2.2. EACH OF THE
PROXIES GRANTED HEREBY IS IRREVOCABLE AND IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST. To
effectuate the provisions of this Section 2, the secretary of each of the
Company and each Subsidiary of the Company, or if there be no secretary such
other officer or employee of the Company or such Subsidiary as the management
committee or board of directors of the Company or such Subsidiary may appoint to
fulfill the duties of the Secretary, shall not record any vote or consent or
other action contrary to the terms of this Section 2.

                                   ARTICLE III
                             TRANSFERS OF SECURITIES

            3.1 Restrictions on Transfer of Securities. Prior to the completion
of the Company's first Public Offering, no holder of Marathon Securities,
Michael Family Securities or Employee Securities may Transfer any Marathon
Securities, Michael Family Securities or Employee Securities, as the case may
be, except in an Exempt Transfer or otherwise provided by this Agreement.

            3.2 Restrictions on Transfers of Vestar Securities.

            (a) Tag-Along Rights. Prior to making any Transfer of Vestar
Securities (other than a Transfer described in Section 3.2(b)) any holder of
Vestar Securities proposing to make such a Transfer (for purposes of this
Section 3.2, a "Selling Holder") shall give at least 30 days prior written
notice to each holder of Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and
Employee Securities (for purposes of this Section 3.2, each an "Other Holder")
and the Company, which notice (for purposes of this Section 3.2, the "Sale
Notice") shall identify the type and amount of Vestar Securities to be sold (for
purposes of this Section 3.2, the "Offered Securities"), describe in reasonable
detail the terms and conditions of such proposed Transfer and identify each
prospective Transferee. Any of the Other Holders may, within 15 days of the
receipt of the Sale Notice, give written notice (each, a "Tag-Along Notice") to
the Selling Holder that such Other Holder wishes to participate in such proposed
Transfer upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Sale Notice, which
Tag-Along Notice shall specify the Marathon Securities, Michael Family
Securities and Employee Securities such Other Holder desires to include in such
proposed Transfer; provided, however, that (1) each Other Holder shall be
required, as a condition to being permitted to sell Marathon Securities, Michael
Family Securities and Employee Securities pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) in
connection with a Transfer of Offered Securities, to elect to sell Marathon
Securities, Michael Family Securities and Employee Securities of the same type
and class and in the same relative proportions (which proportions shall be
determined on a unit for unit or, as the case may be, share for share basis and
on the basis of aggregate liquidation value with respect to Preferred Units or
Stock) as the Securities which comprise the Offered Securities, (2) no Employee
Security

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that is subject to vesting shall be entitled to be sold pursuant to this Section
3.2(a) unless such Employee Security has fully vested and (3) to exercise its
tag-along rights hereunder, each Other Holder must agree to make to the
Transferee the same representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and
agreements as the Selling Holder agrees to make in connection with the Transfer
of the Offered Securities (except that in the case of representations and
warranties pertaining specifically to, or covenants made specifically by, the
Selling Holder, the Other Holders shall make comparable representations and
warranties pertaining specifically to (and, as applicable, covenants by)
themselves), and must agree to bear his or its ratable share (which shall be
proportionate based on the value of Securities that are Transferred but shall
not exceed the amount of proceeds received in connection with such Transfer) of
all liabilities to the Transferees arising out of representations, warranties
and covenants (other than those representations, warranties and covenants that
pertain specifically to a given Securityholder, who shall bear all of the
liability related thereto), indemnities or other agreements made in connection
with the Transfer. Each Securityholder will bear (x) its or his own costs of any
sale of Securities pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) and (y) its or his pro-rata
share (based upon the relative amount of Securities sold) of any of the other
costs of any reasonable and customary sale of Securities pursuant to this
Section 3.2(a) to the extent such costs are incurred for the benefit of all
Securityholders and are not otherwise paid by the Transferee.

            If none of the Other Holders gives the Selling Holder a Tag-Along
Notice prior to the expiration of the 15-day period for giving Tag-Along notices
with respect to the Transfer proposed in the Sale Notice, then (notwithstanding
the first sentence of this Section 3.2(a)) the Selling Holder may Transfer such
Offered Securities on the terms and conditions set forth, and to or among any of
the Transferees identified (or Affiliates of Transferees identified), in the
Sale Notice at any time within 180 days after expiration of the 15-day period
for giving Tag-Along Notices with respect to such Transfer. Any such Offered
Securities not Transferred by the Selling Holder during such 180-day period
will again be subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2(a) upon subsequent
Transfer. If one or more Other Holders give the Selling Holder a timely
Tag-Along Notice, then the Selling Holder shall use all reasonable efforts to
obtain the agreement of the prospective Transferee(s) to the participation of
the Other Holders in any contemplated Transfer, on the same terms and conditions
as are applicable to the Offered Securities, and no Selling Holder shall
transfer any of its shares to any prospective Transferee if such prospective
Transferee(s) declines to allow the participation of the Other Holders. If the
prospective Transferee(s) is unwilling or unable to acquire all of the Offered
Securities and all of the Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and
Employee Securities specified in a timely Tag-Along Notice upon such terms, then
the Selling Holder may elect either to cancel such proposed Transfer or to
allocate the maximum number of each class of Securities that the prospective
Transferees are willing to purchase (the "Allocable Shares") among the Selling
Holder and the Other Holders giving timely Tag-Along Notices as follows (it
being understood that the prospective Transferees shall be required to purchase
Securities of the same class on the same terms and conditions taking into
account the provisions of clause (1) of the first paragraph of this Section
3.2(a), and to consummate such Transfer on those terms and conditions):

            (i)   each participating Securityholder (including the Selling
                  Holder) shall be entitled to sell a number of shares of each
                  class of Securities (taking into account the provisions of
                  clause (1) of the first paragraph of this Section 3.2(a)) (not
                  to exceed, for any Other Holder, the number of shares of such
                  class of Securities identified in such Other Holder's
                  Tag-Along Notice) equal

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                  to the product of (A) the number of Allocable Shares of such
                  class of Securities and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which
                  is such Securityholder's Ownership Percentage of such class of
                  Securities and the denominator of which is the aggregate
                  Ownership Percentage for all participating Securityholders of
                  such class of Securities; and

            (ii)  if after allocating the Allocable Shares of any class of
                  Securities to such Securityholders in accordance with clause
                  (i) above, there are any Allocable Shares of such class that
                  remain unallocated, then they shall be allocated (in one or
                  more successive allocations on the basis of the allocation
                  method specified in clause (i) above) among the Selling Holder
                  and each such Other Holder that has elected in its Tag-Along
                  Notice to sell a greater number of shares of such class of
                  Securities than previously has been allocated to it pursuant
                  to clause (i) and this clause (ii) (all of whom (but no
                  others) shall, for purposes of clause (i) above, be deemed to
                  be the participating Securityholders) until all such Allocable
                  Shares have been allocated in accordance with this clause
                  (ii).

            (b) Excluded Transfers. The rights and restrictions contained in
Section 3.2(a) shall not apply with respect to any of the following Transfers of
Securities:

            (i)   any Transfer of Vestar Securities in a Public Sale;

            (ii)  any Transfer of Vestar Securities to and among the partners of
                  Vestar and the partners, securityholders and employees of such
                  partners (subject to compliance with Sections 3.3 and 3.4);

            (iii) any Transfer of Vestar Securities in accordance with Section
                  4.1;

            (iv)  any Transfer of Vestar Securities incidental to the exercise,
                  conversion or exchange of such securities in accordance with
                  their terms, any combination of shares (including any reverse
                  stock split) or any recapitalization, reorganization or
                  reclassification of, or any merger or consolidation involving,
                  the Company;

            (v)   any Transfer of Vestar Securities to employees or directors
                  of, or consultants to, any of the Company and its
                  Subsidiaries; and

            (vi)  any Transfer constituting an Exempt Individual Transfer.

            (c) Excluded Securities. No Securities that have been transferred by
the Selling Holder or an Other Holder in a Transfer pursuant to the provisions
of Section 3.2(a) ("Excluded Securities") shall be subject again to the
restrictions set forth in Section 3.2(a), nor shall any Securityholder holding
Excluded Securities be entitled to exercise any rights as an Other Holder under
Section 3.2(a) with respect to such Excluded Securities, and no Excluded
Securities held by

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a Selling Holder or any Other Holder shall be counted in determining the
respective participation rights of such Holders in a Transfer subject to Section
3.2(a).

            (d) Upon the occurrence of any event which gives rise to a
Securityholder's ability or requirement to transfer (including by operation of
law) such Securityholder's interests in the Company or a Subsidiary of the
Company to a third party in exchange for consideration pursuant to this
Agreement, at the election of such Securityholder, the Company shall take, and
shall cause its Subsidiaries to take, all actions necessary to convert
Securities then held by such Securityholder into the appropriate type of
security to permit the Securityholder to transfer such Securities to such third
party.

            (e) The provisions of this Section 3.2 shall remain in effect
following the first Public Offering.

            3.3 Securities Act Compliance. No Securities may be transferred by a
Securityholder (other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act) unless such Securityholder first delivers to the Company an
opinion of counsel, which opinion and counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory
to the Company, to the effect that such Transfer is not required to be
registered under the Securities Act.

            3.4 Certain Transferees Bound by Agreement. Subject to compliance
with the other provisions of this Article III, any Securityholder may Transfer
any Securities held by such Securityholder in accordance with applicable law;
provided, however, that if the Transfer is not made pursuant to a Public Sale or
a transaction the consummation of which will cause the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Article VII, then the Transferor of such Security shall
first deliver to the Company a written agreement of the proposed Transferee
(excluding a Transferee that is a Limited Partner) to become a Securityholder
and to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (unless such proposed Transferee
is already a Securityholder). All Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities
and Employee Securities will continue to be Marathon Securities, Michael Family
Securities and Employee Securities in the hands of any Transferee (other than
the Company, Vestar or any Transferee in a Public Sale); provided that Marathon
Securities, Michael Family Securities and Employee Securities Transferred
pursuant to an exercise of tag-along rights as an Other Holder under Section
3.2(a) shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 3.1 in the hands of the
Transferee or any subsequent Transferee. All Vestar Securities will continue to
be Vestar Securities in the hands of any Transferee (other than the Company,
Marathon, the Michael Family Securityholders, the Employees or a Transferee in a
Public Sale).

            3.5 Transfers in Violation of Agreement. Any Transfer or attempted
Transfer of any Securities in violation of any provision of this Agreement shall
be void, and the Company shall not record such Transfer on its books or treat
any purported transferee of such Securities as the owner of such Securities for
any purpose.

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                                   ARTICLE IV
                       TAKE-ALONG RIGHTS ON APPROVED SALE

            4.1 Take-Along Rights.

            (a) If Vestar elects to consummate, or to cause the Company to
consummate, a transaction constituting a Sale of the Company, Vestar shall
notify the Company and the other Securityholders in writing of that election,
the other Securityholders will consent to and raise no objections to the
proposed transaction, and the Securityholders and the Company will take all
other actions reasonably necessary or desirable to cause the consummation of
such Sale of the Company on the terms proposed by Vestar. Without limiting the
foregoing, (i) if the proposed Sale of the Company is structured as a sale of
assets or a merger or consolidation, or otherwise requires equityholder
approval, the Securityholders and the Company will vote or cause to be voted all
Securities that they hold or with respect to which such Securityholder has the
power to direct the voting and which are entitled to vote on such transaction in
favor of such transaction and will waive any appraisal rights which they may
have in connection therewith and (ii) if the proposed Sale of the Company is
structured as or involves a sale or redemption of Securities, the
Securityholders will agree to sell their pro-rata share of the Securities being
sold in such Sale of the Company on the terms and conditions approved by Vestar,
and the Securityholders will execute any merger, asset purchase, security
purchase, recapitalization or other sale agreement approved by Vestar in
connection with such Sale of the Company.

            (b) The obligations of the Securityholders with respect to the Sale
of the Company are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i)
upon the consummation of the Sale of the Company, all of the holders of a
particular class or series of Securities shall receive the same form and amount
of consideration per share, unit or amount of Securities, or if any holders of a
particular class or series of Securities are given an option as to the form and
amount of consideration to be received, all holders of such class or series will
be given the same option and (ii) all holders of rights without regard to
vesting or exercise restrictions to acquire a particular class or series of
Securities will be given an opportunity to either (A) exercise such rights prior
to the consummation of the Sale of the Company and participate in such sale as
holders of such Securities or (B) upon the consummation of the Sale of the
Company, receive in exchange for such rights consideration equal to the amount
determined by multiplying (1) the same amount of consideration per share, unit
or amount of Securities received by the holders of such type and class of
Securities in connection with the Sale of the Company less the exercise price
per share, unit or amount of such rights to acquire such Securities by (2) the
number of shares, units or aggregate amount of Securities represented by such
rights.

            (c) Each Securityholder will bear its or his pro-rata share (based
upon the relative amount of Securities sold) of the reasonable and customary
costs of any sale of Securities pursuant to a Sale of the Company to the extent
such costs are incurred for the benefit of all Securityholders and are not
otherwise paid by the Company or the acquiring party (it being understood that
the reasonable and documented legal fees of one counsel for the holders of
Employee Securities up to a cap as determined by the Company's management
committee prior to the Sale of the Company shall be deemed costs for the benefit
of all Securityholders). Costs incurred by or on behalf of a Securityholder for
its or his sole benefit will not be considered costs of the transaction
hereunder.

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In the event that any transaction that Vestar elects to consummate or cause to
be consummated pursuant to this Section 4.1 is not consummated for any reason,
the Company will reimburse Vestar for all actual and reasonable expenses paid or
incurred by Vestar in connection therewith.

            (d) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary,
Vestar Capital Partners shall be entitled to be paid customary and reasonable
fees by the Company for any investment banking services provided by it in
connection with a Sale of the Company. The provisions of this Section 4.1 shall
remain in effect following the first Public Offering.

            (e) In the event of a sale or exchange by the Securityholders of all
or substantially all of the Securities held by the Securityholders (whether by
sale, merger, recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, combination or
otherwise), each Securityholder shall receive in exchange for the Securities
held by such Securityholder the same portion of the aggregate consideration from
such sale or exchange that such Securityholder would have received if such
aggregate consideration had been distributed by the Company in complete
liquidation pursuant to the rights and preferences set forth in the LLC
Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such sale or exchange. Each
Securityholder shall take all necessary or desirable actions in connection with
the distribution of the aggregate consideration from such sale or exchange as
requested by the Company.

                                    ARTICLE V
                               REGISTRATION RIGHTS

            5.1 Demand Registrations.

            (a) Requests for Registration. Subject to the provisions of this
Article V, the holders of a majority of Vestar Securities that constitute
Registrable Securities shall have the right (the "Vestar Demand Right"), the
holders of a majority of Marathon Securities that constitute Registrable
Securities shall have the right (the "Marathon Demand Right") and the holders of
a majority of Michael Family Securities that constitute Registrable Securities
shall have the right (the "Michael Family Demand Right"), in each case, to
request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of the
Registrable Securities held by such Securityholders (in each case, referred to
herein as the "Requesting Holders") by delivering a written notice to the
principal business office of the Company, which notice identifies the Requesting
Holders and specifies the number of Registrable Securities to be included in
such registration (the "Registration Request"). Subject to the restrictions set
forth in Section 5.1(d), the Company will give prompt written notice of such
Registration Request (the "Registration Notice") to all other holders of
Registrable Securities and will thereupon use its commercially reasonable
efforts to effect the registration (a "Demand Registration") under the
Securities Act on any form available to the Company of:

            (i)   the Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the
                  Requesting Holders;

            (ii)  all other Registrable Securities of the same type and class
                  which the Company has received a written request to register
                  within 30 days after the

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                  Registration Notice is given and any securities of the Company
                  proposed to be included in such registration by the Company
                  for its own account; and

            (iii) any securities of the Company proposed to be included in such
                  registration by the holders of registration rights granted
                  other than pursuant to this Agreement ("Other Registration
                  Rights").

            (b) Preservation of Demand Registration. A registration undertaken
by the Company at the request of the Requesting Holder will not count as a
Demand Registration:

            (i)   if, pursuant to the Vestar Demand Right, the Marathon Demand
                  Right or the Michael Family Demand Right the Requesting
                  Holders fail to register and sell at least 75% of the
                  Registrable Securities requested to be included in such
                  registration by them, unless such failure results from any act
                  of, or failure to act by, any of the Requesting Holders
                  (provided that if the Requesting Holders withdraw their
                  Registration Request prior to the time the registration
                  statement therefor is declared effective and promptly
                  reimburse the Company for all Registration Expenses incurred
                  by the Company in connection with effecting such registration,
                  such Registration Request shall not count as a Demand
                  Registration); or

            (ii)  if the Requesting Holders withdraw a Registration Request (A)
                  upon the determination of the management committee or, as the
                  case may be, board of directors of the Company to postpone the
                  filing or effectiveness of a Registration Statement pursuant
                  to Section 5.1(d) or (B) within 10 days of receiving notice
                  from the Company of its intent to exercise its Priority Right
                  in connection with such registration.

            (c) Priority on Demand Registration. If the sole or managing
underwriter of a Demand Registration advises the Company in writing that in its
opinion the number of Registrable Securities and other securities requested to
be included exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities
which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution
of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or
the marketability thereof, the Company will include in such registration the
greatest number of (i) Registrable Securities proposed to be registered by the
holders thereof, (ii) securities having Other Registration Rights that are pari
passu with the demand rights granted in respect of Registrable Securities
hereunder proposed to be registered by the holders thereof and (iii) securities
proposed to be registered by the Company for its own account which in the
opinion of such underwriters can be sold in such offering without adversely
affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will
be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof, ratably among the holders
of Registrable Securities, the holders of such Other Registration Rights and the
Company, based (A) as between the Company and such holders requesting
registration, on the respective amounts of securities requested to be registered
and (B) as among the holders requesting registration, on the respective amounts
of Registrable Securities (whether requested to be registered pursuant to
Section 5.1 or 5.2) and securities subject to such Other Registration Rights, as
the case may be, held by each such holder; provided, however, that the Company
shall have the right (the "Priority Right") to

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

receive priority over all holders of Registrable Securities in any Demand
Registration to be effected under this Section 5.1 with respect to securities
that the Company proposes to include in such registration for its own account by
giving written notice of its election to exercise such Priority Right to the
holders of Registrable Securities requesting registration thereof.

            (d) Restrictions on Demand Registrations. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 5.1(d), the Company shall be obligated to effect four
Demand Registrations pursuant to a Vestar Demand Right. The Company shall not be
obligated to effect a Marathon Demand Right or a Michael Family Demand Right
until after the Company's first Public Offering. Thereafter, the Company shall
be obligated to effect two Marathon Demand Rights and two Michael Family Demand
Rights. Any Demand Registration requested must be for a firmly underwritten
public offering of Registrable Securities with an expected value of at least $15
million to be managed by an underwriter or underwriters of recognized national
standing selected by the Requesting Holders and reasonably acceptable to the
Company. The Company shall not be obligated to effect a Demand Registration if
after a request is made, the Company has determined in good faith that the
filing of a registration request would require disclosure of material
information which the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as
confidential, the Company shall not be obligated to effect the registration
until the earlier of (A) the date upon which such material information is
disclosed to the public or is no longer material or (B) 120 days after the
Company first makes such good faith determination.

            (e) Stock Splits. In connection with any Demand Registration
pursuant to this Section 5.1, each party to this Agreement will vote, or cause
to be voted, all securities of the Company over which it has the power to vote
or direct the voting to effect any stock split which, in the opinion of the sole
or managing underwriter, is necessary to facilitate the effectiveness of such
Demand Registration.

            (f) Other Registration Rights. Except as provided in this Agreement,
the Company shall not grant to any Persons the right to request the Company to
register any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible or
exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written
consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities;
provided that the Company may grant rights to other Persons to participate in
Incidental Registrations so long as such rights are subordinate to the rights of
the holders of Registrable Securities with respect to such Incidental
Registrations.

            5.2 Incidental Registration.

            (a) Requests for Incidental Registration. At any time the Company
proposes to register any shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act (other
than registrations on such form(s) solely for registration of Common Stock in
connection with any employee benefit plan or dividend reinvestment plan or a
merger or consolidation), including registrations pursuant to Section 5.1(a),
whether or not for sale for its own account, the Company will give written
notice to each holder of Registrable Securities at least 30 days prior to the
initial filing of such Registration Statement with the SEC of its intent to file
such registration statement and of such holder's rights under this Section 5.2.
Upon the written request of any holder of Registrable Securities made within 20
days after any such notice is given (which request shall specify the Registrable
Securities intended

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

to be disposed of by such holder), the Company will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to effect the registration (an "Incidental Registration")
under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company, as the
case may be, has been so requested to register by the holders thereof; provided,
however, that if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to
register any securities and prior to the effective date of the Registration
Statement filed in connection with such Incidental Registration (each an
"Incidental Registration Statement"), the Company shall determine for any reason
not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company may, at
its election, give written notice of such determination to each holder of
Registrable Securities and, thereupon, (a) in the case of a determination not to
register, the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to register any
Registrable Securities under this Section 5.2 in connection with such
registration (but not from its obligation to pay the expenses incurred in
connection therewith) and (b) in the case of a determination to delay
registration, the Company shall be permitted to delay registering any
Registrable Securities under this Section 5.2 during the period that the
registration of such other securities is delayed.

            (b) Priority on Incidental Registration. If the sole or managing
underwriter of a registration advises the Company in writing that in its opinion
the number of Registrable Securities and other securities requested to be
included exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities which
can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the
securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the
marketability thereof, the Company will include in such registration the
Registrable Securities and other securities of the Company in the following
order of priority:

            (i)   first, the greatest number of securities of the Company
                  proposed to be included in such registration by the Company
                  for its own account and by holders of Other Registration
                  Rights that have priority over the incidental registration
                  rights granted to holders of Registrable Securities under this
                  Agreement, which in the opinion of such underwriters can be so
                  sold; and

            (ii)  second, after all securities that the Company proposes to
                  register for its own account or for the accounts of holders of
                  Other Registration Rights that have priority over the
                  incidental registration rights under this Agreement have been
                  included, the greatest amount of Registrable Securities and
                  securities having Other Registration Rights that are pari
                  passu with Registrable Securities, in each case requested to
                  be registered by the holders thereof which in the opinion of
                  such underwriters can be sold in such offering without
                  adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being
                  offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the
                  marketability thereof, ratably among the holders of
                  Registrable Securities (whether requested to be registered
                  pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2) and securities subject to such
                  Other Registration Rights based on the respective amounts of
                  Registrable Securities and securities subject to such Other
                  Registration Rights held by each such holder.

            (c) Upon delivering a request under this Section 5.2, a
Securityholder (excluding Vestar and its Affiliates, but including any other
Permitted Transferee of any thereof) will, if requested by the Company, execute
and deliver a custody agreement and power of attorney in form

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and one of the Vestar
Directors with respect to such Securityholder's Securities to be registered
pursuant to this Section 5.2 (a "Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney"). The
Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney will provide, among other things, that
the Securityholder will deliver to and deposit in custody with the custodian and
attorney-in-fact named therein (who shall be reasonably satisfactory to one of
the Vestar Directors) a certificate or certificates representing such Securities
(duly endorsed in blank by the registered owner or owners thereof or accompanied
by duly executed stock powers in blank) and irrevocably appoint said custodian
and attorney-in-fact with full power and authority to act under the Custody
Agreement and Power of Attorney on such Securityholder's behalf with respect to
the matters specified therein. Such Securityholder also agrees to execute such
other agreements as the Company may reasonably request to further evidence the
provisions of this Section 5.2.

            5.3 Holdback Agreements.

            (a) Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if requested
in connection with an underwritten offering made pursuant to a Registration
Statement for which such Securityholder has registration rights pursuant to this
Article V by the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten
offering, such holder will not effect any Public Sale or distribution of any of
the securities being registered or any securities convertible or exchangeable or
exercisable for such securities (except as part of such underwritten offering),
during the period beginning10 days prior to, and ending 180 days after, the
closing date of each underwritten offering made pursuant to such Registration
Statement (or for such shorter period as to which the managing underwriter or
underwriters may agree, provided that such shorter period applies equally to all
holders of Registrable Securities).

            (b) The Company agrees (i) not to effect any public sale or
distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the 7 days prior to and
during the180-day period beginning on the effective date of any underwritten
Demand Registration (or for such shorter period as to which the managing
underwriter or underwriters may agree), except as part of such Demand
Registration or in connection with any employee benefit or similar plan, any
dividend reinvestment plan, or a business acquisition or combination and (ii) to
use all reasonable efforts to cause each holder of at least 1% (on a
fully-diluted basis) of its equity securities, or any securities convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, which are or may be
purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement (other
than in a registered offering) to agree not to effect any sale or distribution
of any such securities during such period (except as part of such underwritten
offering, if otherwise permitted).

            5.4 Registration Procedures. In connection with the registration of
any Registrable Securities, the Company shall effect such registrations to
permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall
as expeditiously as possible:

            (a) Prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or
Registration Statements on a form available for the sale of the Registrable
Securities by the holders thereof in

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to
become effective;

            (b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending on the earlier
of (i) 90 days from the effective date and (ii) such time as all of such
securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method of
disposition thereof; cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any
required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to
Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; and
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to it with respect
to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as
so amended or in such prospectus as so supplemented.

            (c) Notify the selling holders of Registrable Securities promptly
(but in any event within 2 business days), and confirm such notice in writing,
(i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of the
issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary prospectus, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus is required by
the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of Registrable
Securities the Company becomes aware that the representations and warranties of
the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement)
contemplated by Section 5.4(h) below cease to be true and correct in all
material respects, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification
of a Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Securities for offer or
sale in any jurisdiction, (v) if the Company becomes aware of the happening of
any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or
related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making
of any changes in such Registration Statement, prospectus or documents so that,
in the case of such Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
that in the case of the prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.

            (d) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance
of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any
order preventing or suspending the use of a prospectus or suspending the
qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to
obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment.

            (e) Deliver to each selling holder of Registrable Securities and the
underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the prospectus or
prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each amendment or
supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request; and the Company
hereby consents to the use of such prospectus and each amendment or supplement

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

thereto by each of the selling holders of Registrable Securities and the
underwriters or agents, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Securities covered by such prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto.

            (f) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, to use
its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify, and cooperate with
the selling holders of Registrable Securities, the underwriters, if any, the
sales agents and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such
Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or "blue sky"
laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling holder or the
managing underwriters reasonably request in writing; provided, however, that the
Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or (ii) take any action that
would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it
is not then so subject.

            (g) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section
5.4(c)(v) above, as promptly as practicable prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the
related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder,
such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.

            (h) Enter into an underwriting agreement in form, scope and
substance as is customary in underwritten offerings and take all such other
actions as are reasonably requested by the managing or sole underwriter in order
to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such
Registrable Securities, and in such connection, (i) make such representations
and warranties to the underwriters, with respect to the business of the Company
and its subsidiaries, and the Registration Statement, prospectus and documents,
if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each
case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to
underwriters in underwritten offerings, and confirm the same if and when
requested, (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof
(which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the managing underwriters), addressed to the underwriters
covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten
offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by underwriters,
(iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the independent
certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other
independent certified public accountants of any Subsidiary of the Company or of
any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and
financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration
Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in
customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold
comfort" letters in connection with underwritten offerings and (iv) if an
underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification
provisions and procedures no less favorable to the holders of Registrable
Securities than those set forth in Section 5.6 hereof (or such other provisions
and procedures acceptable to holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriters or

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

agents) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section.
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.

            (i) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
make generally available to its Securityholders earnings statements satisfying
the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder
(or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days
after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month
period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal
quarter in which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm
commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to
underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first
fiscal quarter of the Company after the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.

            (j) (i) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such
Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on
the principal securities exchange on which Common Stock is then listed (if any),
if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules
of such exchange, or (ii) if no Common Stock is then so listed, use its
commercially reasonable efforts to, either (as the Company may elect) (x) cause
all such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange
or (y) secure designation of all such Registrable Securities as a NASDAQ
"national market system security" within the meaning of Rule 11Aa2-1 or, failing
that, to secure NASDAQ authorization for such shares and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market makers to
register as such with respect to such shares with the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").

The Company may require each holder of Registrable Securities as to which any
registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such information
regarding such holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the
Company may, from time to time, reasonably request in writing; provided that
such information shall be used only in connection with such registration. The
Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any
holder who unreasonably fails to furnish such information promptly after
receiving such request. Each holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from
the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section
5.4(c)(ii), 5.4(c)(iv) or 5.4(c)(v), such holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration
Statement or prospectus until such holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 5.4, or until it is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may
be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto.

            5.5 Registration Expenses. Subject to Section 5.1(b)(i), all fees
and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by
the Company shall be borne by the Company, whether or not any Registration
Statement is filed or becomes effective, including, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees with
respect to filings required to be made with the NASD in connection with an
underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state
securities or "blue sky" laws), (ii) reasonable messenger, telephone and
delivery expenses, (iii) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (iv)
fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred
to in Section 5.4(h), (v) underwriters' fees and expenses (excluding discounts,
commissions, or fees of

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities industry
professionals relating to the distribution of the Registrable Securities), (vi)
Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance,
(vii) internal expenses of the Company, (viii) the expense of any annual audit,
(ix) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
securities to be registered on any securities exchange and (x) the fees and
expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company. In
connection with any Demand Registration or Incidental Registration hereunder,
the Company shall reimburse the holders of the Registrable Securities being
registered in such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not
more than one counsel (together with appropriate local counsel) chosen by the
Requesting Holders, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the holders
of Registrable Securities incurred in connection with the registration of the
Registrable Securities.

            5.6 Indemnification; Contribution.

            (a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, without
limitation as to time, indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted
by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, the officers, directors, agents
and employees of each of them, each Person who controls each such holder (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act), the officers, directors, agents and employees of each such controlling
person and any financial or investment adviser (each, an "Indemnified Party"),
to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened)
reasonable costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation
and reasonable attorneys' fees) and reasonable expenses (including reasonable
expenses of investigation) (collectively, "Losses"), as incurred, arising out of
or based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus or form of prospectus or in
any amendment or supplements thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or
arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, except to the extent that the same arise out of or are based upon
information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Party or the
related holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use therein or (ii) any
violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation
applicable to the Company and relating to action required of or inaction by the
Company in connection with any such registration; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable to any Person who participates as an underwriter in
the offering or sale of Registrable Securities or any other Person, if any, who
controls such underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act to the
extent that any such Losses arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any
preliminary prospectus if (i) such Person failed to send or deliver a copy of
the prospectus with or prior to the delivery of written confirmation of the sale
by such Person to the Person asserting the claim from which such Losses arise,
(ii) the prospectus would have corrected such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or such omission or alleged omission, and (iii) the Company has
complied with its obligations under Section 5.4(c). Each indemnity and
reimbursement of costs and expenses shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party.

            (b) Indemnification by Holders. In connection with any Registration
Statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such
holder, or an authorized officer of

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

such holder, shall furnish to the Company in writing such information as the
Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any Registration
Statement or prospectus and agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify, to
the full extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors, officers, agents
and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the
directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling persons, from and
against all Losses arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
prospectus, or form of prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission
or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only
to the extent, that such untrue or alleged untrue statement is contained in, or
such omission or alleged omission is required to be contained in, any
information so furnished in writing by such holder to the Company expressly for
use in such Registration Statement or prospectus and that such statement or
omission was relied upon by the Company in preparation of such Registration
Statement, prospectus or form of prospectus; provided, however, that such holder
of Registrable Securities shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that the holder has furnished in writing to the Company within a reasonable
period of time prior to the filing of any such Registration Statement or
prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto information expressly for use in
such Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto
which corrected or made not misleading, information previously furnished to the
Company, and the Company failed to include such information therein. In no event
shall the liability of any selling holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be
greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of payment of all
expenses) received by such holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities
giving rise to such indemnification obligation. Such indemnity shall remain in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
such indemnified party.

            (c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Person shall be
entitled to indemnity hereunder (an "indemnified party"), such indemnified party
shall give prompt notice to the party or parties from which such indemnity is
sought (the "indemnifying parties") of the commencement of any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation or written threat thereof (a "Proceeding") with
respect to which such indemnified party seeks indemnification or contribution
pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the failure to so notify the
indemnifying parties shall not relieve the indemnifying parties from any
obligation or liability except to the extent that the indemnifying parties have
been prejudiced by such failure. The indemnifying parties shall have the right,
exercisable by giving written notice to an indemnified party promptly after the
receipt of written notice from such indemnified party of such Proceeding, to
assume, at the indemnifying parties' expense, the defense of any such
Proceeding, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party;
provided, however, that an indemnified party or parties (if more than one such
indemnified party is named in any Proceeding) shall have the right to employ
separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense
thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such indemnified party or parties unless: (i) the indemnifying parties agree to
pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the indemnifying parties fail promptly to
assume the defense of such Proceeding or fail to employ counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such indemnified party or parties; or (iii) the named parties to
any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such
indemnified party or parties and the indemnifying parties or an affiliate of the
indemnifying parties or such indemnified parties, and there may be one or more
defenses available to such indemnified party or parties that are different from
or additional to those available to the

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

indemnifying parties, in which case, if such indemnified party or parties
notifies the indemnifying parties in writing that it elects to employ separate
counsel at the expense of the indemnifying parties, the indemnifying parties
shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be
at the expense of the indemnifying parties, it being understood, however, that,
unless there exists a conflict among indemnified parties, the indemnifying
parties shall not, in connection with any one such Proceeding or separate but
substantially similar or related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction, arising
out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (together with appropriate
local counsel) at any time for such indemnified party or parties. Whether or not
such defense is assumed by the indemnifying parties, such indemnifying parties
or indemnified party or parties will not be subject to any liability for any
settlement made without its or their consent (but such consent will not be
unreasonably withheld). The indemnifying parties shall not consent to entry of
any judgment or enter into any settlement which (i) provides for other than
monetary damages without the consent of the indemnified party or parties (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (ii) does not include
as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
indemnified party or parties of a release, in form and substance satisfactory to
the indemnified party or parties, from all liability in respect of such
Proceeding for which such indemnified party would be entitled to indemnification
hereunder.

            (d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this
Section 5.6 is unavailable to an indemnified party or is insufficient to hold
such indemnified party harmless for any Losses in respect of which this Section
5.6 would otherwise apply by its terms, then each applicable indemnifying party,
in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall have a joint and several
obligation to contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified
party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or
omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party, on the one hand,
and indemnified party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact, has been taken by, or relates to information supplied by,
such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such
action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result
of any Losses shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses
incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding, to the extent such
party would have been indemnified for such expenses if the indemnification
provided for in Section 5.6(a) or 5.6(b) was available to such party. The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 5.6(d) were determined by pro-rata allocation or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in this Section 5.6(d). Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 5.6(d), an indemnifying party that is a selling
holder of Registrable Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such indemnifying
party exceeds the amount of any damages that such indemnifying party has
otherwise been required to pay by reasons of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

            5.7 Rule 144. At all times after the Company effects its first
Public Offering, the Company shall file the reports required to be filed by it
under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and will take such further action as any holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from
time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions
provided by Rule 144. Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities,
the Company shall deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it
has complied with such requirements.

            5.8 Underwritten Registrations. No holder of Registrable Securities
may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such holder
(a) agrees to sell such holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in
any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to
approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires,
powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

            5.9 No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not and will not,
enter into any agreement with respect to the Company's securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in
this Article V or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                               PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

            6.1 Issuance of New Securities to Affiliates.

            (a) If at any time after the date of this Agreement the Company
proposes to issue or sell any Common Units, Common Stock, Common Stock
Equivalents or Preferred Stock of the Company (collectively, "New Securities"),
in each case to Vestar or any Affiliate of Vestar, the Company shall first offer
to sell to the holders of Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and
Employee Securities a portion of each type of such New Securities equal to the
quotient determined by dividing (x) the number of Fully-Diluted Units (which are
Class A Units and Class B Units and which are held or beneficially owned by such
holder of Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities or Employee
Securities), by (y) the total number of Fully-Diluted Class A and B Units
outstanding immediately prior to such issuance or sale. The holders of Marathon
Securities, Michael Family Securities and Employee Securities shall be entitled
to purchase all or any portion of their respective portions (as determined in
the immediately preceding sentence) of such New Securities at the most favorable
price and on the most favorable terms as such New Securities are to be offered
to Vestar or any Affiliate of Vestar.

            (b) In order to exercise its purchase rights hereunder, each holder
of Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and Employee Securities must,
within 30 days after receipt of written notice from the Company describing in
reasonable detail the New Securities being offered,

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

the purchase price thereof, the payment terms and the percentage of the New
Securities available to such holder pursuant to Section 6.1(a), deliver a
written notice to the Company describing its election to exercise its purchase
rights hereunder.

            (c) Upon the expiration of the offering periods described above, the
Company shall be entitled to sell such New Securities which the holders of
Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and Employee Securities have not
elected to purchase during the 180 days following such expiration on terms and
conditions no more favorable to the purchasers thereof than those offered to the
holders of Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and Employee
Securities. Any New Securities to be sold by the Company to Vestar or any
Affiliate of Vestar after such 180-day period must be reoffered to the holders
of Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and Employee Securities
pursuant to the terms of this Section 6.1.

            (d) The provisions of this Section 6.1 will not apply to the
following issuances of New Securities:

            (i)   any New Securities issued upon the conversion or exercise of
                  any Common Stock Equivalents not issued in violation of this
                  Section 6.1;

            (ii)  any issuance of New Securities incident to the exercise,
                  conversion or exchange of any securities of the Company that
                  were not issued in violation of this Section 6.1, a
                  subdivision of shares (including any stock dividend or stock
                  split), any combination of shares (including any reverse stock
                  split) or any recapitalization, reorganization or
                  reclassification of the Company; or

            (iii) any New Securities issued to a seller(s)in connection with the
                  acquisition by the Company of another Person that is not an
                  Affiliate of Vestar (whether by acquisition of stock or by
                  merger or consolidation, or the acquisition of all or
                  substantially all of such Person's assets).

            (e) Nothing in this Section 6.1 shall be deemed to prevent Vestar or
any Affiliate of Vestar from purchasing for cash any New Securities without
first complying with the provisions of this Section 6.1; provided, that in
connection with such purchase, (a) the Company's management committee or board
of directors has determined in good faith (1) that the Company needs an
immediate cash investment, (2) that no alternative financing on terms no less
favorable to the Company in the aggregate than such purchase is available which
is of a type that could be obtained without having to comply with this Section
6.1 and (3) that the delay caused by compliance with the provisions of this
Section 6.1 in connection with such investment would be reasonably likely to
cause severe and immediate harm to the Company, (b) the Company gives prompt
notice to the holders of Marathon Securities, Michael Family Securities and
Employee Securities of the Purchasing Holder's investment, which notice shall
describe in reasonable detail the New Securities being purchased by the Person
making such purchase (for purposes of this Section 6.1, the "Purchasing Holder")
and the purchase price thereof and (c) the Purchasing Holder and the Company
take all steps necessary to enable the holders of Marathon Securities, Michael
Family Securities and Employee Securities to effectively exercise their
respective rights under this Section 6.1 with respect

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

to their purchase of a pro-rata share of the New Securities issued to the
Purchasing Holder after such purchase by the Purchasing Holder on the terms
specified in Section 6.1(a).

                                   ARTICLE VII
                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

            7.1 Amendment and Waiver. Except as otherwise provided herein, no
modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be
effective against the Company or the Securityholders unless such modification,
amendment or waiver is approved in writing by each of the Company, Vestar, the
Marathon Majority Holders, the Michael Family Majority Holders and the Employee
Majority Holders. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of
this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and
shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every
provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

            7.2 Termination of Certain Provisions. The provisions of Article II
shall terminate upon the consummation of the Company's first Public Offering if,
and only to the extent, required by the managing underwriter of such Public
Offering.

            7.3 Termination of Agreement. This Agreement will terminate in
respect of all Securityholders (a) with the written consent of the Company, the
Vestar Majority Holders, the Marathon Majority Holders, the Michael Family
Majority Holders and the Employee Majority Holders, (b) upon the dissolution,
liquidation or winding-up of the Company or (c) upon the consummation of a Sale
of the Company (except with respect to the rights to Incidental Registration
under Article V, which shall survive). The termination of this Agreement will
not affect any indemnification or contribution obligations under Section 5.6,
which shall survive such termination.

            7.4 Termination as to a Party. Any Person who ceases to hold any
Securities shall cease to be a Securityholder and shall have no further rights
or obligations under this Agreement (except with respect to any indemnification
and contribution obligations under Section 5.6, which shall survive).

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            8.1 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the meanings set forth or as referenced below:

            "Affiliate" of any particular Person means any other Person
Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such particular Person
or, in the case of a natural Person, any other member of such Person's Family
Group.

            "Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

            "Agreement of Merger" means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
as of December 21, 2000 by and among Holdings, Protein Acquisition Corp. (n/k/a
Michael Foods Acquisition Corp.) and Michael Foods, Inc., as amended.

            "Allocable Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

            "Call Option" has the meaning given to such term in the Management
Unit Subscription Agreements.

            "CEO Designated Director" has the meaning given such term in Section
2.1(a)(v).

            "Class A Units" has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

            "Class B Units" has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

            "Class C Units" has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

            "Class O Units" has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

            "Closing Date" has the meaning given such term in the Agreement of
Merger.

            "Common Stock" means, collectively, following the conversion of the
Company into a corporation or the Company being merged into, or otherwise
succeeded by, a corporation, the common stock of the Company and any other class
or series of authorized capital stock of the Company which is not limited to a
fixed sum or percentage of par or stated value in respect to the rights of the
holders thereof to participate in dividends or in the distribution of assets
upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the successor to the Company.

            "Common Stock Equivalents" means (without duplication with any
Units, Common Stock or other Common Stock Equivalents) rights, warrants,
options, convertible securities, or exchangeable securities or indebtedness, or
other rights, exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or
indirectly, Units, Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible or
exchangeable into Units or Common Stock, as the case may be, whether at the time
of issuance or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of some future event.

            "Company" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

            "Control" (including, with correlative meaning, all conjugations
thereof) means with respect to any Person, the ability of another Person to
control or direct the actions or policies of such first Person, whether by
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

            "Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney" has the meaning given to
such term in Section 5.2(c).

            "Demand Registration" has the meaning given to such term in Section
5.1(a).

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

            "Employee(s)" has the meaning given to such term in the preamble.

            "Employee Majority Holders" means the Person or Persons having
beneficial ownership of a majority of the securities constituting Employee
Securities.

            "Employee Securities" means (a) the Preferred Units, Class A Units,
Class B Units or Class C Units acquired by the Employees on or after the date of
this Agreement under the Management Unit Subscription Agreements, (b) any Class
O Units acquired by the Employees, (c) any Units, Common Stock (including, for
the purpose of this definition, common stock of Holdings or any other common
stock distributed by the Company), Common Stock Equivalents or Preferred Stock
hereafter acquired by any holder of Employee Securities and (d) any securities
of the Company issued with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (a),
(b) or (c) above by way of a payment-in-kind, stock dividend or stock split or
in connection with a combination of shares, exchange, conversion,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

            "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

            "Excluded Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(c).

            "Exempt Transfer" means a Transfer of Marathon Securities, Michael
Family Securities and Employee Securities (a) pursuant to an exercise of
tag-along rights as an Other Holder under Section 3.2, (b) pursuant to a Sale of
the Company under Section 4.1 or other transaction approved under Section 2.2,
(c) in the case of Employee Securities, to the Company pursuant to a Call Option
under a Management Unit Subscription Agreement, (d) pursuant to a Public Sale
(including pursuant to the provisions of Article V hereof), (e) upon the death
of the holder pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution, (f)
solely to or among such Person's Family Group, (g) incidental to the exercise,
conversion or exchange of such securities in accordance with their terms, any
combination of shares (including any reverse stock split) or any
recapitalization, reorganization or reclassification of, or any merger or
consolidation involving, the Company or (h) in the case of Michael Family
Securities, (1) any Transfer by a Michael Family Securityholder to one or more
of its partners who is a descendent of James H. Michael or a spouse of such
decedent or (2) after the third anniversary of the date hereof, subject to the
right of first offer sets forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.

            "Exempt Individual Transfer" means a Transfer of Vestar Securities
held by a natural person (a) upon the death of the holder pursuant to the
applicable laws of descent and distribution, (b) solely to or among such
Person's Family Group or (c) to the Company incidental to the exercise,
conversion or exchange of such securities in accordance with their terms, any
combination of shares (including any reverse stock split) or any
recapitalization, reorganization or reclassification of, or any merger or
consolidation involving, the Company.

            "Family Group" means, with respect to any individual, such
individual's spouse and descendants (whether natural or adopted) and any trust,
partnership, limited liability company or similar vehicle established and
maintained solely for the benefit of (or the sole members or partners of which
are) such individual, such individual's spouse and/or such individual's
descendants.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

            "Fully-Diluted Units" means, as of any date of determination, the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, plus (without duplication) all
Units or, as the case may be, shares of Common Stock issuable, whether at such
time or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of future events, upon the
exercise, conversion or exchange of all then-outstanding Common Stock
Equivalents.

            "Holdings" means M-Foods Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

            "Incidental Registration" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.2(a).

            "Indemnified Party" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.6(a).

            "Limited Partner" means a limited partner of Vestar.

            "Losses" has the meaning given such term in Section 5.6(a).

            "Management Unit Subscription Agreements" mean the unit subscription
agreements between the Company and the respective Employees.

            "Marathon" has the meaning given such term in the preamble.

            "Marathon Demand Right" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.1(a).

            "Marathon Director" has the meaning given such term in Section
2.1(a)(ii).

            "Marathon Majority Holders" means the Person or Persons holding a
majority of the securities constituting Marathon Securities.

            "Marathon Securities" means (a) Marathon Units, (b) Units, Common
Stock (including, for the purpose of this definition, common stock of Holdings
or any other common stock distributed by the Company), Common Stock Equivalents
or Preferred Stock hereafter acquired by Marathon and (c) any securities of the
Company issued with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (a) or (b)
above by way of a payment-in-kind, stock dividend or stock split or in
connection with a combination of shares, exchange, conversion, recapitalization,
merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

            "Marathon Units" means the Class A Units issued to Marathon on the
Closing Date.

            "Michael Family Demand Right" has the meaning given such term in
Section 5.1(a).

            "Michael Family Directors" has the meaning given such term in
Section 2.1(a)(iii).

            "Michael Family Majority Holders" means the Person or Persons
holding a majority of the securities constituting Michael Family Securities.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

            "Michael Family Securities" means (a) Michael Family Units, (b)
Units, Common Stock (including, for the purpose of this definition, common stock
of Holdings or any other common stock distributed by the Company), Common Stock
Equivalents or Preferred Stock hereafter acquired by the Michael Family
Securityholders and (c) any securities of the Company issued with respect to the
securities referred to in clauses (a) or (b) above by way of a payment-in-kind,
stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares,
exchange, conversion, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization.

            "Michael Family Securityholders" means 4J2R1C Limited Partnership
and 3J2R Limited Partnership.

            "Michael Family Units" means the Class A Units issued to the Michael
Family Securityholders on the Closing Date.

            "NASD" has the meaning given such term in Section 5.4(j).

            "NASDAQ" means the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System.

            "New Securities" has the meaning given to such term in Section
6.1(a).

            "Offered Securities" has the meaning given to such term in Section
3.2(a).

            "LLC Agreement" means the Limited Liability Company Agreement dated
as of April 10, 2001 among the Company, Vestar, Marathon, the Michael Family
Securityholders and the other parties thereto.

            "Other Holder" has the meaning given such term in Section 3.2(a).

            "Other Registration Rights" has the meaning given such term in
Section 5.1(a)(iii).

            "Ownership Percentage" means, for each Securityholder and with
respect to a type and class of Security, the percentage obtained by dividing the
number of units or shares of such Security held by such Securityholder by the
total number of units or shares of such Security (other than Excluded
Securities) outstanding.

            "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a
corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company,
a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or any department or
agency or political subdivision thereof.

            "Preferred Stock" means collectively, following the conversion of
the Company into a corporation or the Company being merged into, or otherwise
succeeded by, a corporation, the classes or series of authorized capital stock
of the Company that is limited to a fixed sum or percentage of par value or
stated value in respect of the rights of the holders thereof to participate in
dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the successor to the Company.

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

            "Preferred Units" means the preferred units of the Company which may
be issued pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Management Unit Subscription
Agreements.

            "Priority Right" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.1(c)(i).

            "Proceeding" has the meaning given such term in Section 5.6(c).

            "Public Offering" means a sale of Common Stock to the public in an
offering pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC
pursuant to the Securities Act, as then in effect, provided that a Public
Offering shall not include an offering made in connection with a business
acquisition or combination or an employee benefit plan.

            "Public Sale" means a sale of Securities pursuant to a Public
Offering or a Rule 144 Sale.

            "Purchasing Holder" has the meaning given such term in Section
6.1(e).

            "Registrable Securities" means any Securities that are of the same
type and class as the Vestar Securities (it being understood upon the occurrence
of any event which gives rise to a Securityholder's ability to transfer such
Securityholder's interests in the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company to a
third party in exchange for consideration pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant
to a registration right, at the election of such Securityholder, the Company
shall take, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to take, all actions necessary to
convert Securities (other than the Class C Units) then held by such
Securityholder into the appropriate type of security to permit the
Securityholder to transfer such Securities). As to any particular Registrable
Securities, such securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when they
have been (i) Transferred in a Public Sale, (ii) unless Vestar otherwise elects,
have been distributed to the limited partners of Vestar or (iii) otherwise
Transferred and new certificates not bearing the legend set forth in Section
8.2(b) hereof shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent
disposition of such securities shall not require registration or qualification
of such securities under the Securities Act or such state securities or blue sky
laws then in force. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to
be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to
acquire such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection
with a Transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or
limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition
has actually been affected.

            "Registration Expenses" means all amounts payable by the Company
pursuant to Section 5.5.

            "Registration Notice" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.1(a).

            "Registration Request" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.1(a).

            "Registration Statement" means any registration statement of the
Company under which any of the Registrable Securities are included therein
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the prospectus,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement,

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.

            "Requesting Holder" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.1(a).

            "Rule 144" means Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act (or any
successor rule or regulation).

            "Rule 144 Sale" means a sale of Securities to the public through a
broker, dealer or market-maker pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 (other
than Rule 144(k) prior to a Public Offering) adopted under the Securities Act
(or any successor rule or regulation).

            "Sale of the Company" means the consummation of a transaction,
whether in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions that are
consummated contemporaneously (or consummated pursuant to contemporaneous
agreements), with any other Person or group of related Persons on an
arm's-length basis other than an Affiliate of Vestar, pursuant to which such
party or parties (a) acquire (whether by merger, stock purchase,
recapitalization, reorganization, redemption, issuance of capital stock or
otherwise) more than 50% of either the Fully Diluted Units or the voting stock
of the Company or (b) acquire assets constituting all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;
provided, however, that in no event shall a Sale of the Company be deemed to
include any transaction effected for the purpose of (i) changing, directly or
indirectly, the form of organization or the organizational structure of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) contributing stock to entities
controlled by the Company.

            "Sale Notice" has the meaning given such term in Section 3.2(a).

            "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

            "Securities" means, collectively, the Vestar Securities, the
Marathon Securities, the Michael Family Securities and the Employee Securities.

            "Securityholder(s)" has the meaning given such term in the preamble.

            "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.

            "Selling Holder" has the meaning given such term in Section 3.2(a).

            "Subsidiary" means any corporation with respect to which another
specified corporation has the power to vote or direct the voting of sufficient
securities to elect directors having a majority of the voting power of the board
of directors of such corporation.

            "Tag-Along Notice" has the meaning given such term in Section
3.2(a).

            "Transfer" means (in either the noun or the verb form, including
with respect to the verb form, all conjugations thereof within their correlative
meanings) with respect to any security, the gift, sale, assignment, transfer,
pledge, hypothecation or other disposition (whether for or without

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

consideration, whether directly or indirectly, and whether voluntary,
involuntary or by operation of law) of such security or any interest therein.

            "Units" means the Company's Class A Units Class B Units, Class C
Units or Class O Units.

            "Vestar" has the meaning given such term in the preamble.

            "Vestar Demand Right" has the meaning given such term in Section
5.1(a).

            "Vestar Directors" has the meaning given such term in Section
2.1(a)(i).

            "Vestar Majority Holders" means the Person or Persons holding a
majority of the securities constituting Vestar Securities.

            "Vestar Securities" means (a) Vestar Units, (b) Units, Common Stock
(including, for the purpose of this definition, common stock of Holdings or any
other common stock distributed by the Company), Common Stock Equivalents or
Preferred Stock hereafter acquired by Vestar and (c) any securities of the
Company issued with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (a) or (b)
above by way of a payment-in-kind, stock dividend or stock split or in
connection with a combination of shares, exchange, conversion, recapitalization,
merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

            "Vestar Units" means the Class A Units issued to Vestar on the
Closing Date.

            8.2 Legends.

            (a) Securityholders Agreement. Each certificate or instrument
evidencing Securities and each certificate or instrument issued in exchange for
or upon the Transfer of any such Securities (if such securities remain subject
to this Agreement after such Transfer) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted
with a legend (as appropriately completed under the circumstances) in
substantially the following form:

            "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE CONSTITUTE ["VESTAR
            SECURITIES"], ["MARATHON SECURITIES"], ["MICHAEL FAMILY
            SECURITIES"], ["EMPLOYEE SECURITIES"] UNDER A CERTAIN
            SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 10, 2001 AMONG THE
            ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE "COMPANY") AND CERTAIN OF THE
            COMPANY'S SECURITYHOLDERS AND, AS SUCH, ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
            VOTING PROVISIONS, PURCHASE RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET
            FORTH IN THE SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT. A COPY OF SUCH
            SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

            WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN
            REQUEST."

            (b) Restricted Securities. Each instrument or certificate evidencing
Securities and each instrument or certificate issued in exchange or upon the
Transfer of any Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend
substantially in the following form:

            "THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
            1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR
            SOLD UNLESS IT HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
            UNLESS AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE (AND, IN SUCH
            CASE, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY
            SHALL HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO THE COMPANY TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH
            OFFER OR SALE IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
            ACT)."

            (c) Removal of Legends. Whenever in the opinion of the Company and
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company (which opinion shall be delivered
to the Company in writing) the restrictions described in any legend set forth
above cease to be applicable to any Securities, the holder thereof shall be
entitled to receive from the Company, without expense to the holder, a new
instrument or certificate not bearing a legend stating such restriction.

            8.3 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall 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 invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

            8.4 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly set forth
herein, this document embodies the complete agreement and understanding among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and
preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the
parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in
any way.

            8.5 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein,
this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Company and its successors and assigns and the Securityholders and any
subsequent holders of Securities and the respective successors and assigns of
each of them, so long as they hold Securities.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

            8.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate
counterparts (including by means of telecopied signature pages) each of which
shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same agreement.

            8.7 Remedies. The Company and the Securityholders shall be entitled
to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by
reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement (including costs of
enforcement) and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The
parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate
remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that the Company
or any Securityholder may in its or his sole discretion apply to any court of
law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance or injunctive
relief (without posting a bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent
any violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

            8.8 Notices. Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be either personally delivered, or mailed first class mail
(postage prepaid) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges
prepaid) to the Company at the address set forth below and to any other
recipient at the address indicated on the Company's records, or at such address
or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by
prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been
given hereunder when sent by facsimile (receipt confirmed) delivered personally,
5 days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit with a reputable
overnight courier service. The Company's address is:

            M-Foods Dairy Holdings, LLC
            c/o Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P.
            1225 Seventeenth Street
            Suite 1660
            Denver, CO  80202
            Attention:  James P. Kelley
            Facsimile:  (303) 292-6639

            and

            c/o Marathon Dairy Investment Corp.
            c/o Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison Incorporated
            5250 Wells Fargo Center
            Minneapolis, MN  55402-4123
            Attention:  John L. Morrison
                        Michael T. Sweeney
            Facsimile:  (612) 338-2860

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

            with copies to:

            Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P.
            245 Park Avenue
            41st Floor
            New York, NY  10167
            Attention:  General Counsel
            Facsimile:  (212) 808-4922

            and

            Kirkland & Ellis
            200 East Randolph Drive
            Chicago, IL  60601
            Attention:  Stephen L. Ritchie
            Facsimile:  (312) 861-2118

            and

            Faegre & Benson
            2200 Wells Fargo Center
            90 South Seventh Street
            Minneapolis, MN  55402-3901
            Attention:  Bruce M. Engler
            Facsimile:  (612) 336-3026

            and

            Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
            Four Times Square
            New York, NY 10036
            Attention:  Eric L. Cochran
            Facsimile:  (212) 735-2000

            and

            Ross, Rosenblatt Ltd.
            4100 Piper Jaffray Tower
            222 S. 9th St.
            Minneapolis, MN 55402
            Attention:  Burton Ross
            Facsimile:  (612) 338-1131

            8.9 Governing Law. The Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (and,
following the conversion of the Company into a corporation or the Company being
merged into, or otherwise succeeded by, a corporation, the relevant state
corporation law) shall govern all questions

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

arising under this Agreement concerning the relative rights of the Company and
its stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity and
interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts made and to be performed in the State of Delaware. The parties hereto
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
any State or Federal court sitting in Wilmington, Delaware over any suit, action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The parties hereby
agree that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S.
registered mail addressed to any such party shall be effective service of
process for any action, suit or proceeding brought against a party in any such
court. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any
objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought
in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought
in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The parties hereto
agree that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in
any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon any party and may be
enforced in any other courts to whose jurisdiction any party is or may be
subject, by suit upon such judgment.

            8.10 Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Agreement.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

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

                                    M-FOODS DAIRY HOLDINGS, LLC

                                    By:   ______________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                    VESTAR CAPITAL PARTNERS IV, L.P.

                                    By:   Vestar Associates IV, L.P.,
                                          its General Partner

                                    By:   Vestar Associates Corporation IV,
                                          its General Partner

                                    By:   ______________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title: Managing Director

                                    VESTAR/MICHAEL, LLC

                                    By:   ______________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                    MARATHON DAIRY INVESTMENT CORP.

                                    By:   ______________________________________

                                    Its:  ______________________________________

                                    4J2R1C LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                    By:   ______________________________________

                                    Its:  ______________________________________

                                    By:   ______________________________________

                                    Its:  ______________________________________

<PAGE>

                                    3J2R LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                    By:   ______________________________________

                                    Its:  ______________________________________

                                    By:   ______________________________________

                                    Its:  ______________________________________

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    Gregg A. Ostrander

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    John D. Reedy

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    Bill L. Goucher

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    James D. Clarkson

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    Bradley L. Cook

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    Max R. Hoffmann

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    James Mohr

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    Harold D. Sprinkle

              [End of Signature Page to Securityholder's Agreement]

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit A

            First Offer Rights. Prior to making any transfer pursuant to clause
(h)(2) of the definition of "Exempt Transfer," a holder of Michael Family
Securities shall deliver written notice disclosing in reasonable detail the
proposed terms and conditions of the transfer including the number and the price
per security (the "Offer Notice") to the Company which shall promptly submit the
Offer Notice to Vestar, Marathon and the Employees which may then elect to
purchase all (but not less than all) of such Michael Family Securities to be
transferred upon the same terms and conditions as those set forth in the Offer
Notice by delivering a written notice of such election to such holders of
Michael Family Securities within 20 days after the Offer Notice has been
delivered to the Company. Such holders of Michael Family Securities shall not
consummate any transfer until 40 days after the Offer Notice has been given to
the Company, unless the parties to the transfer have been finally determined
pursuant to this paragraph prior to the expiration of such 40-day period (the
date of the first to occur of such events is referred to herein as the
"Authorization Date"). If the Company has not elected to purchase all of the
Michael Family Securities to be transferred, Vestar, Marathon and the Employees
may elect to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Michael Family
Securities proposed to be transferred upon the same terms and conditions as
those set forth in the Offer Notice by delivering written notice of such
election to the holders of Michael Family Securities within 30 days after the
Offer Notice has been given to Vestar, Marathon and the Employees. If more than
one of Vestar, Marathon or the Employees elects to purchase the Michael Family
Securities, the Michael Family Securities to be sold shall be allocated among
Vestar, Marathon and the Employees pro rata according to the number of Fully
Diluted Units owned by each of Vestar, Marathon and the Employees. If neither
the Company nor Vestar, Marathon or the Employees elect to purchase all of the
Michael Family Securities, such holders of Michael Family Securities may
transfer such Michael Family Securities at a price no less than 95% of the price
per security specified in the Offer Notice and on other terms no more favorable
to the transferee(s) thereof than specified in the Offer Notice during the
90-day period immediately following the Authorization Date. Any Michael Family
Securities not transferred within such 90-day period shall be subject to the
provisions of this paragraph upon subsequent transfer. If the Company or any of
Vestar, Marathon or the Employees have elected to purchase Michael Family
Securities hereunder, the transfer of such Michael Family Securities shall be
consummated as soon as practical after the delivery of the election notice(s) to
such holder of Michael Family Securities, but in any event within 15 days after
the expiration of the 40-day period referenced above.<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit 10.15

                                                                [Execution Copy]

                         MANAGEMENT STOCK PURCHASE AND
                          UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

      THIS MANAGEMENT STOCK PURCHASE AND UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this
"Agreement") is made as of April 10, 2001, by and among MFoods Investors, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company ("Investors"), Gregg A. Ostrander (the
"Executive"), for the purposes of Section 10.5 hereof, MFoods Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Holdings") and, for the purposes of Section 2.6 hereof,
Kristin Kjar Ostrander (the "Joint Tenant").

            WHEREAS, the Executive is an employee and shareholder of Michael
Foods, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and one of several persons
who are or will be key employees of Investors or one or more of its subsidiaries
and who will hold interests in Investors (collectively with the Executive, the
"Management Investors");

            WHEREAS, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
with Holdings and Protein Acquisition Corp., a Minnesota corporation, and a
wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (n/k/a Michael Foods Acquisition Corp.)
("Merger Sub"), dated as of December 21, 2000, as amended from time to time in
accordance with its terms (the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which Merger Sub
shall be merged with and into the Company (the "Acquisition"), in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the relevant
provisions of the MBCA (as defined in the Merger Agreement), and the surviving
corporation shall be the Company;

            WHEREAS, prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement, the Executive is the record and
beneficial owner of the number of shares of the Company's common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"), set forth on Schedule I attached hereto;

            WHEREAS, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereof,
Investors desires to acquire from the Executive, and the Executive desires to
sell to Investors, certain of the Shares, as set forth on Schedule I (the
"Purchased Shares"); and

            WHEREAS, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereof and
pursuant to Section 721(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Executive also
desires to contribute certain of the Shares (the "Contributed Shares") in
exchange for Investors' Class B Units (the "Class B Units") and Class C Units
(the "Class C Units"), in each case in the amounts set forth on Schedule II
attached hereto.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in order to implement the foregoing and in
consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

<PAGE>

1. Definitions.

      1.1 Acquisition. The term "Acquisition" shall have the meaning set forth
in the preface.

      1.2 Agreement. The term "Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in
the preface.

      1.3 Applicable Percentage. Except as provided otherwise in the next
sentence, the term "Applicable Percentage" shall mean: (i) 0% during the
oneyear period commencing on the Closing Date (ii) 20% during the oneyear
period commencing on the first anniversary of the Closing Date; (iii) 40% during
the oneyear period commencing on the second anniversary of the Closing Date;
(iv) 60% during the oneyear period commencing on the third anniversary of the
Closing Date; (v) 80% during the oneyear period commencing on the fourth
anniversary of the Closing Date; and (vi) 100% on and after the fifth
anniversary of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) immediately
prior to and after the occurrence of a Sale of the Company, such Applicable
Percentage shall mean 100%, and (B) in the case of a termination of employment
described in Section 7.2(a)(iii)(B), such Applicable Percentage in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) shall be 0%, and in clauses (iv) and (v) and (vi) shall be 40%,
75% and 100%, respectively.

      1.4 Board. The "Board" shall mean Investors' Management Committee.

      1.5 Cause. The term "Cause" used in connection with the termination of
employment of the Executive shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term in
any employment or severance agreement then in effect between Executive and
Investors or one of its subsidiaries or, if no such agreement containing a
definition of "Cause" is then in effect, shall mean (i) the continued failure of
the Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with Investors or
one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due
to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board which specifically
identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has not
substantially performed the Executive's duties; (ii) the willful engaging by the
Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and
demonstrably injurious to Investors or one of its subsidiaries; or (iii)
conviction of a felony or guilty or nolo contendere plea by the Executive with
respect thereto.

      For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of
the Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of Investors or one of
its subsidiaries. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given
pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of
the Chief Executive Officer (while the Executive does not serve as such) or
based upon the advice of counsel for Investors shall be conclusively presumed to
be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best
interests of Investors and its subsidiaries. The cessation of employment of the
Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have
been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the entire membership of the

                                       2
<PAGE>

Board (excluding the Executive) at a meeting of the Board called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of the conduct described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail.

      1.6 Change in Control. The term "Change in Control" means the consummation
of a transaction, whether in a single transaction or in a series of related
transactions that are consummated contemporaneously (or consummated pursuant to
contemporaneous agreements), with any other party or parties on an arm'slength
basis, pursuant to which (a) such party or parties, directly or indirectly,
acquire (whether by merger, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization,
redemption, issuance of capital stock or otherwise) more than 50% of the voting
stock of the Company, (b) such party or parties, directly or indirectly, acquire
assets constituting all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, or (c) prior to an initial public
offering of the Company Common Stock pursuant to an offering registered under
the 1933 Act, Vestar and its affiliates cease to have the ability to elect,
directly or by virtue of their interests in Investors, a majority of the Board
of Directors of the Company.

      1.7 Class A Units. The term "Class A Units" means Investors' Class A
Units.

      1.8 Class B Units. The term "Class B Units" shall have the meaning set
forth in the preface.

      1.9 Class C Units. The term "Class C Units" shall have the meaning set
forth in the preface.

      1.10 Closing. The "Closing" for the sale and purchase of the Shares and
the contribution of Shares in exchange for Units hereunder shall occur
immediately prior to the consummation of the Acquisition.

      1.11 Closing Date. The term "Closing Date" shall mean the date on which
the Closing occurs.

      1.12 Closing Transactions. The term "Closing Transactions" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

      1.13 Company. The term "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preface.

      1.14 Contributed Shares. The term "Contributed Shares" shall have the
meaning set forth in the preface.

                                       3
<PAGE>

      1.15 Cost. The term "Cost" shall mean, with respect to Units, the cash or
fair market value of property per unit contributed by the Executive (as
proportionately adjusted for all subsequent distributions of units and other
recapitalizations).

      1.16 Disability. The term "Disability" used in connection with the
termination of employment of the Executive shall have the same meaning ascribed
to such term in any employment or severance agreement then in effect between
Executive and Investors or one of its subsidiaries or, if no such agreement
containing a definition of "Disability" is then in effect, shall mean a
determination by the Company in its sole discretion that Executive is unable to
perform his job responsibilities as a result of chronic illness, physical,
mental or any other disability for a period of six months or more.

      1.17 Employee and Employment. The term "employee" shall mean any employee
(as defined in accordance with the regulations and revenue rulings then
applicable under Section 3401(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended) of Investors or any of its subsidiaries, and the term "employment"
shall include service as a part or fulltime employee to Investors or any of its
subsidiaries.

      1.18 Executive. The term "Executive" shall have the meaning set forth in
the preface.

      1.19 Executive Group. The term "Executive Group" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 7.2(a).

      1.20 Fair Market Value. The term "Fair Market Value" used in connection
with the value of Units shall mean the fair value of the Units determined in
good faith by the Board (without taking into account the effect of any
contemporaneous repurchase of Units at less than Fair Market Value under Section
7); provided that, with respect its calculation of the Fair Market Value of any
class of Units, the Board shall assume, as of such calculation date, the sale of
all of the assets of Investors at fair value and the distribution of the
proceeds resulting therefrom in accordance with the distribution provisions set
forth in the LLC Agreement; provided further that if the Executive disagrees in
good faith with the Board's determination, the Executive shall promptly notify
the Company in writing of such disagreement, in which event an independent
appraiser, accountant or investment banking firm (the "Arbiter") selected by
mutual agreement of the Executive and the Board shall make a determination of
the fair market value thereof (disregarding any discount for minority interest
or marketability of units and assuming the prior conversion, exercise or
exchange of all securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
Units) solely by (i) reviewing a single written presentation timely made by each
of the Company and the Executive setting forth their respective resolutions of
the dispute and the bases therefor and (ii) accepting either the Executive's or
the Company's proposed resolution of the dispute. Promptly following the
Company's receipt of Executive's written notice of disagreement, the Company
shall make available to Executive all data (including reports of employees and
outside advisors) relied upon by the Board in making its determination. The
Executive's and the Company's written presentations must be submitted to the
Arbiter within 30 days of the Arbiter's engagement. The Arbiter shall notify the
Executive and the

                                       4
<PAGE>

Company of its decision within 40 days of its engagement. The party whose
proposed resolution is not accepted shall pay all of the Arbiter's fees and
expenses. If the Executive's proposed resolution is accepted, the Company also
shall pay all of the Executive's reasonable outofpocket fees and expenses
(including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and one appraiser, accountant
or investment banking firm) incurred in connection with the arbitration. Each of
the Company and the Executive agrees to execute, if requested by the Arbiter, a
reasonable engagement letter with the Arbiter.

      1.21 Financing Default. The term "Financing Default" shall mean an event
which would constitute (or with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute) an event of default under any of the following as they may be
amended from time to time: (i) (A) one or more debt facilities or commercial
paper facilities of the Company, in each case with banks or other institutional
lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing
(including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose
entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters
or credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded,
replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (the "Senior
Secured Credit Facilities") or (B) those certain 113/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2011 in an aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000, issued by
Merger Sub on or about March 27, 2001, or any other similar notes or instruments
that the Company or its subsidiaries may issue from time to time (the "Senior
Subordinated Notes" and, together with the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the
"Senior Financing Agreements"); (ii) any other agreement (other than an
agreement relating to the payment of trade payables in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with industry custom) under which an amount of
indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000
is outstanding as of the time of the aforementioned event, and any extensions,
renewals, refinancings or refundings thereof in whole or in part; (iii) any
provisions of the LLC Agreement (but not including amendments thereto after the
Closing Date) designating the terms of the Company's units or capital stock or
setting forth restrictive financial covenants; (iv) any amendment of, supplement
to or other modification of any of the instruments referred to in clauses (i)
through (iii) above; and (v) any of the securities issued pursuant to or whose
terms are governed by the terms of any of the agreements set forth in clauses
(i) through (iv) above, and any extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings
thereof in whole or in part.

      1.22 Good Reason. The term "Good Reason" shall have the same meaning
ascribed to such term in any employment or severance agreement then in effect
between Executive and Investors or one of its subsidiaries or, if no such
agreement containing a definition of "Good Reason" is then in effect, shall mean
(i) upon a Change in Control, the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent with the Executive's title and position (including status, offices
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities, or any other
action by Investors or one of its subsidiaries (as applicable) which results in
a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding
for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in
bad faith and which is remedied by Investors or one of its subsidiaries promptly
after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; provided that after a
Change in Control, Investors or one of its subsidiaries (as applicable) shall
have the flexibility to appoint the Executive to a reporting

                                       5
<PAGE>

relationship different from that which existed prior to the Change in Control,
to make an immaterial change in Executive's duties, or to change the Executive's
title provided; (ii) any failure by Investors or one of its subsidiaries (as
applicable) to provide Executive with the annual base salary Executive had
previously received or the failure by Investors or one of its subsidiaries (as
applicable) to increase such annual each year after a Change in Control by an
amount which at least equals on a percentage basis, the mean average percentage
increase in base salary for all employees similarly situated during the two full
calendar years immediately preceding a Change in Control, other than an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and
which is remedied by Investors or one of its subsidiaries (as applicable)
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; (iii) the
failure of Investors or one of its subsidiaries (as applicable) upon a Change in
Control to (A) continue in effect any employee benefit plan, compensation plan,
welfare benefit plan or material fringe benefit plan in which Executive is
participating immediately prior to such Change in Control or the taking of any
action by Investors or one of its subsidiaries which would adversely affect
Executive's participation in or reduce Executive's benefits under any such plan,
unless Executive is permitted to participate in other plans providing Executive
with substantially equivalent benefits, or (B) provide Executive with paid
vacation in accordance with the most favorable past practice of Investors or one
of its subsidiaries as in effect for Executive immediately prior to such Change
in Control; (iv) after a Change in Control, any purported termination by
Investors or one of its subsidiaries of the Executive's employment otherwise
than for Cause, death or Disability; or (v) after a Change in Control, any
requirement that the Executive (A) be based anywhere more than 50 miles from the
office where the Executive is currently located or (B) travel on Investor or its
subsidiaries' business to an extent substantially greater than the Executive's
current travel obligations.

      1.23 Holdings. The term "Holdings" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preface.

      1.24 Investors. The term "Investors" shall have the meaning set forth in
the preface.

      1.25 LLC Agreement. The term "LLC Agreement" shall mean the Amended and
Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Investors, dated as of April 10,
2001, entered into by and among the members of Investors, as amended from time
to time in accordance with its terms.

      1.26 Management Investors. The term "Management Investors" shall have the
meaning set forth in the preface.

      1.27 Merger Agreement. The term "Merger Agreement" shall have the meaning
set forth in the preface.

      1.28 Merger Sub. The term "Merger Sub" shall have the meaning set forth in
the preface.

      1.29 Permitted Transferee. The term "Permitted Transferee" means any
transferee of Units pursuant to clauses (e) or (f) of the definition of "Exempt
Transfer" as defined in the Securityholders Agreement.

                                       6
<PAGE>

      1.30 Person. The term "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint stock company, business
trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or
other entity of any nature whatsoever.

      1.31 Public Offering. The term "Public Offering" shall have the meaning
set forth in the Securityholders Agreement.

      1.32 Purchased Shares. The term "Purchased Shares" shall have the meaning
set forth in the preface.

      1.33 Retirement. The term "Retirement" shall mean, with respect to the
Executive, the Executive's retirement as an employee of Investors or any of its
subsidiaries on or after reaching age 65, or such earlier age as may be
otherwise determined by the Board, after at least three years employment with
Investors after the Closing Date.

      1.34 Sale of the Company. The term "Sale of the Company" shall have the
meaning set forth in the Securityholders Agreement.

      1.35 Securities Act. The term "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
as the same may be amended from time to time.

      1.36 Securityholders Agreement. The term "Securityholders Agreement" shall
mean the Securityholders Agreement dated as of the Closing Date, among
Investors, Vestar, the Management Investors, and the other securityholders a
party thereto, as it may be amended or supplemented thereafter from time to
time.

      1.37 Shares. The term "Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preface.

      1.38 Share Purchase Price. The term "Share Purchase Price" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

      1.39 Termination Date. The term "Termination Date" means the date upon
which Executive's employment with Investors and its subsidiaries is terminated.

      1.40 Transaction Documents. The term "Transaction Documents" means,
collectively, the LLC Agreement, (ii) the Securityholders Agreement and (iii)
each of the other agreements, documents and instruments executed in connection
with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

      1.41 Units. The term "Units" shall mean the Class A Units, Class B Units,
Class C Units and any other class of equity securities issued by Investors,
whether pursuant to this Agreement or any other arrangement.

                                       7
<PAGE>

      1.42 Unvested Percentage. The term "Unvested Percentage" shall mean the
result of one minus the Applicable Percentage.

      1.43 Vestar. The term "Vestar" means, collectively, Vestar Capital
Partners IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Vestar/Michael Foods
CoInvest, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

2. Purchase and Sale of Shares; Contribution.

      2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Shares. At the Closing, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Executive shall sell,
assign, transfer and convey to Investors, and Investors shall purchase and
acquire from the Executive, the Purchased Shares against payment at the Closing
of an aggregate amount equal to the Share Purchase Price by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to one or more accounts specified by the Executive
in a written notice to Investors prior to the Closing Date.

      2.2 Share Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price for the Purchased
Shares (the "Share Purchase Price") will consist of the payment of an amount of
cash, equal to $30.10 per Purchased Share, as set forth on Schedule I.

      2.3 Contribution of Shares. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Executive hereby agrees to
contribute, and Investors hereby agrees to receive, the Contributed Shares in
exchange for the number of Units set forth on Schedule II.

      2.4 Closing Events. At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto shall consummate the following
"Closing Transactions":

            (a) The Executive shall deliver to Investors stock certificates
representing the Purchased Shares duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by
duly executed stock powers or forms of assignment;

            (b) Investors shall deliver to the Executive the amount of the Share
Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to one or more
accounts designated by the Executive in writing to Investors prior to the
Closing;

            (c) The Executive shall deliver to Investors stock certificates
representing the Contributed Shares duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by
duly executed stock powers or forms of assignment; and

            (d) Investors shall deliver to the Executive unit certificates
representing the number of Class B Units and Class C Units set forth on Schedule
II.

                                       8
<PAGE>

      2.5 Section 83(b) Election. With respect to the Units received by
Executive, within 30 days after the Closing, Executive shall make a timely
election with the Internal Revenue Service under Section 83(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder in
the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

      2.6 Joint Tenancy. As a joint tenant with respect to some or all of the
Shares subject to this Agreement, the Joint Tenant hereby represents and
acknowledges that she has read and understands the terms and provisions set
forth herein. In furtherance of the consummation of the transactions described
in this Agreement, the Joint Tenant hereby expressly gifts and transfers to the
Executive all right, title and interests in such of the Shares held in joint
tenancy, such gift and transfer taking effect immediately prior to and in
connection with the consummation of the transactions described herein. The Joint
Tenant hereby agrees and acknowledges that the effect of this Section 2.6 is to
terminate her joint tenancy interest in any of the Shares held in joint tenancy
as of the date hereof.

3. [Reserved]

4. Representations and Warranties of the Executive and Investors.

      4.1 Stock Purchase Representations of the Executive. The Executive
represents and warrants to Investors that the statements contained in this
Section 4.1 are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will
be correct and complete as of the Closing Date, with respect to himself:

            (a) Power and Authority. The Executive has full power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform his obligations hereunder.
This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the
Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions. To the best
of his knowledge, the Executive need not give any notice to, make any filing
with, or obtain any authorization, consent or approval of any government or
governmental agency in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

            (b) Noncontravention. To the best of his knowledge, neither the
execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will violate any constitution, statute,
regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other
restriction of any government, governmental agency, or court to which the
Executive is subject or conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a
default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to
accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any
agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which
the Executive is a party or by which he is bound or to which any of his assets
is subject.

            (c) Brokers' Fees. The Executive has no liability or obligation to
pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Investors could become
liable or obligated.

                                       9
<PAGE>

            (d) Capital Stock. The Executive holds of record and owns
beneficially the number of Shares set forth next to his name on Schedule I, free
and clear of any restrictions on transfer (other than any restrictions under the
Securities Act, state securities laws, joint tenancy laws or other Transaction
Documents), taxes, security interests, options, warrants, purchase rights,
contracts, commitments, equities, claims, and demands. In the event the
Executive owns the Shares in joint tenancy, the joint tenant of the Executive
has executed this Agreement on the signature page attached hereto and Executive
has informed such joint tenant of the transactions set forth in this Agreement.
The Executive is not a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, or other
contract or commitment that could require the Executive to sell, transfer, or
otherwise dispose of any capital stock of the Company (other than this
Agreement). Except as set forth in other Transaction Documents, the Executive is
not a party to any voting trust, proxy, or other agreement or understanding with
respect to the voting of any capital stock of the Company. The Executive
acknowledges and represents that the Paying Agent (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) will not make any payment to Executive in connection with the Shares
subject to this Agreement and that such shares will be cancelled upon
consummation of the Acquisition.

      4.2 Units Unregistered. The Executive acknowledges and represents that
Executive has been advised by Investors that:

            (a) the offer and sale of the Units have not been registered under
      the Securities Act;

            (b) the Units must be held indefinitely and the Executive must
      continue to bear the economic risk of the investment in the Units unless
      the offer and sale of such Units are subsequently registered under the
      Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or an exemption
      from such registration is available;

            (c) there is no established market for the Units and it is not
      anticipated that there will be any public market for the Units in the
      foreseeable future;

            (d) a restrictive legend in the form set forth below and the legends
      set forth in Section 8.2(a) and (b) of the Securityholders Agreement shall
      be placed on the certificates representing the Units:

            "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE
            SUBJECT TO CERTAIN REPURCHASE OPTIONS AND OTHER
            PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN A MANAGEMENT STOCK PURCHASE
            AND UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER
            AND THE EXECUTIVE DATED AS OF APRIL 10, 2001, AS
            AMENDED AND MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF
            WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER HEREOF AT THE
            ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHOUT CHARGE";
            and

                                       10
<PAGE>

            (e) a notation shall be made in the appropriate records of Investors
      indicating that the Units are subject to restrictions on transfer and, if
      Investors should at some time in the future engage the services of a
      securities transfer agent, appropriate stoptransfer instructions will be
      issued to such transfer agent with respect to the Units.

      4.3 [Reserved]

      4.4 Representations of Investors. Investors represents to the Executive
that the statements contained in this Section 4.4 are correct and complete as of
the date of this Agreement and will be correct and complete as of the Closing
Date, with respect to itself:

            (a) Organization and Power. Investors is a limited liability company
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware with full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
perform its obligations hereunder.

            (b) Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Investors and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby by Investors have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite
limited liability company action on the part of Investors, and no other
proceedings on its part are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Investors, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Investors, enforceable in accordance with its terms and
conditions. Investors need not give any notice to, make any filing with, or
obtain any authorization, consent or approval of any government or governmental
agency in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            (c) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this
Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will
violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment,
order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government,
governmental agency, or court to which Investors is subject or any provision of
its charter or bylaws or conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a
default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the right to
accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any
agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which
Investors is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is
subject.

            (d) Investment. Investors is not acquiring the Shares with a view to
or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof within the meaning of
the Securities Act.

            (e) Capitalization. All of the issued and outstanding Units have
been duly authorized and are validly issued. Except as set forth in the
Transaction Documents, there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants,
purchase rights, subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or
other contracts or commitments that could require Investors to issue, sell, or
otherwise cause to become outstanding any of its Units. Except as set forth in
the Transaction Documents, there are no outstanding or authorized stock
appreciation, phantom stock, profit

                                       11
<PAGE>

participation, or similar rights with respect to Investors. Except as set forth
in the Transaction Documents, there are no voting trusts, proxies, or other
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the capital stock of
Investors.

5. Covenants of the Executive and Investors

      5.1 Covenants. The Executive and/or Investors each agree as follows with
respect to the period between the execution of this Agreement and the Closing:

            (a) General. The Executive and Investors each will use his or its
commercially reasonable efforts to take all action and to do all things
necessary, proper, or advisable in order to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            (b) Notification. Each of the parties hereto shall disclose to the
other parties hereto in writing any material breach by such party of the
representations and warranties of such party contained in Section 4 hereof
promptly upon discovery thereof.

6. [Reserved]

7. Certain Sales Upon Termination of Employment.

      7.1 Put Option.

            (a) If the Executive's employment with Investors and its
subsidiaries terminates due to the Disability, death or Retirement of the
Executive prior to the earlier of (i) a Public Offering or (ii) a Sale of the
Company, for any Units issued 181 days or more prior to the date of termination
of employment of the Executive, within 120 days after such date of termination
of employment (or in the case of Units issued 180 days or less prior to such
date of termination or at any time after such date of termination of employment,
no earlier than 181 days and no later than 271 days after the date of issuance
of such Units), the Executive shall have the right, subject to the provisions of
Section 8 hereof, to sell to Investors, and Investors shall be required to
purchase (subject to the provisions of Section 8 hereof), on one occasion from
the Executive and his Permitted Transferees, if applicable, all (but not less
than all) of the number of Units then held by the Executive and such other
number of Units held by the Executive's Permitted Transferees as the Executive
may request provided that in the aggregate such number does not exceed the
product of (x) the total number of Units collectively held by the Executive and
all of his Permitted Transferees and (y) the Applicable Percentage (measured as
of the Termination Date), at a price per unit equal to the Fair Market Value of
such unit (measured as of the delivery of the notice referred to in Section
7.1(b)).

            (b) If the Executive desires to exercise its option to require
Investors to repurchase Units pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the Executive shall
send one written notice to Investors setting forth the intention of Executive
and Permitted Transferees, if applicable, to collectively sell all Units
pursuant to Section 7.1(a) within the period described above, which notice shall
specify the number of Units to be sold and shall include the signature of the
Executive and each Permitted Transferee

                                       12
<PAGE>

desiring to sell Units. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, the closing of
the purchase shall take place at the principal office of Investors on the later
of the 30th day after the giving of such notice and the date that is 10 business
days after the final determination of Fair Market Value. Subject to the
provisions of Section 8.1, the Executive shall deliver to Investors duly
executed instruments transferring title to units to Investors, against payment
of the appropriate purchase price by cashier's or certified check payable to the
Executive or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by the Executive.

      7.2 Call Options.

            (a) If the Executive's employment with Investors or any of its
subsidiaries terminates for any of the reasons set forth in clauses (i), (ii) or
(iii) below prior to a Sale of the Company, or if the Executive engages in
Competitive Activity (as defined in Section 9.1 of this Agreement), for any
Units issued 181 days or more prior to the date of Executive's termination of
employment or engagement in Competitive Activity, within 120 days after such
date (or in the case of Units issued 180 days or less prior to such date or at
any time after such date, no earlier than 181 days and no later than 271 days
after the date of issuance of such Units), Investors shall have the right and
option to purchase, and the Executive and the Executive's Permitted Transferees
(hereinafter referred to as the "Executive Group") shall be required to sell to
Investors, any or all of such Units then held by such member of the Executive
Group (it being understood that if Units of any class subject to repurchase
hereunder may be repurchased at different prices, Investors may elect to
repurchase only the portion of the Units of such class subject to repurchase
hereunder at the lower price), at a price per unit equal to the applicable
purchase price determined pursuant to Section 7.2(c):

            (i) if the Executive's active employment with Investors and its
      subsidiaries is terminated due to the Disability, death or Retirement of
      the Executive;

            (ii) if the Executive's active employment with Investors and its
      subsidiaries is terminated by Investors and its subsidiaries without Cause
      or by the Executive for Good Reason;

            (iii) if the Executive's active employment with Investors and its
      subsidiaries is terminated (A) by Investors or any of its subsidiaries for
      Cause or (B) by the Executive for any other reason not set forth in
      Section 7.2(a)(i) or Section 7.2(a)(ii);

provided that Investors' rights under this Section 7.2(a) shall not be available
in the event of the termination of Executive's employment by Investors or its
subsidiaries without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, in either case
following a sale by Investors or its subsidiaries of substantially all of the
line of business in which Executive primarily performs his services.

            (b) If Investors desires to exercise one of its options to purchase
Units pursuant to this Section 7.2, Investors shall, not later than the
expiration of the applicable period described

                                       13
<PAGE>

for such purchase in Section 7.2(a), send written notice to each member of the
Executive Group of its intention to purchase Units, specifying the number of
Units to be purchased (the "Call Notice"). Subject to the provisions of Section
8, the closing of the purchase shall take place at the principal office of
Investors on the later of the 30th day after the giving of the Call Notice and
the date that is 10 business days after the final determination of Fair Market
Value. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.1, the Executive shall deliver to
Investors duly executed instruments transferring title to units to Investors,
against payment of the appropriate purchase price by cashier's or certified
check payable to the Executive or by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to an account designated by the Executive.

            (c) In the event of a purchase by Investors pursuant to Section
7.2(a), the purchase price shall be (in each case after taking account of any
prior purchases pursuant to Section 7.2(a)):

            (i) if the Executive engages in any Competitive Activity (as defined
            in Section 9.1 of this Agreement), a price per unit equal to the
            lesser of (A) Fair Market Value (measured as of the Activity Date
            (as defined in Section 9.2 of this Agreement)) and (B) Cost;

            (ii) in the case of a termination of employment described in Section
            7.2(a)(i), Section 7.2(a)(ii), or Section 7.2(a)(iii)(B), (i) if the
            number of Units of any class to be purchased from the Executive
            Group by Investors is less than or equal to the Unvested Percentage
            of such class, the purchase price for each Unit shall be the lesser
            of (x) the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the Call
            Notice) and (y) the Cost of such Unit (the "Unvested Unit Purchase
            Price"), and (ii) if the number of such Units exceeds the Unvested
            Percentage of such class, the purchase price for each Unit shall be
            (A) for a number of Units of such class equal to the result of (x)
            the Unvested Percentage and (y) the total number of Units of such
            class held by the Executive Group, the Unvested Unit Purchase Price,
            and (B) for the remainder of the Units of such class being
            repurchased, the Fair Market Value of such Unit (measured as of the
            date of the Call Notice); and

            (iii) in the case of a termination of employment described in
            Section 7.2(a)(iii)(A), a price per unit equal to the lesser of (A)
            Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the Call Notice) and
            (B) Cost.

      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if
the Fair Market Value of Units subject to a Call Notice is finally determined to
be an amount at least 10% greater than the per Unit repurchase price for such
Unit in the Call Notice, Investors shall have the right to revoke the exercise
of its option pursuant to this Section 7.2 for all or any portion of the Units
elected to be repurchased by it by delivering notice of such revocation in
writing to the Executive Group during the tenday period beginning on the date
that Investors is given written notice that the Fair Market Value of a Unit was
finally determined to be an amount at least 10% greater than the per Unit
repurchase price set forth in the Call Notice.

                                       14
<PAGE>

      Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7.2 to the contrary, in the event
that Investors purchases Units at Fair Market Value pursuant to the terms of
this Section 7.2 and within six months of the date of the determination of such
Fair Market Value both (A) a Sale of the Company or a Public Offering occurs and
(B) in connection with such transaction, the per share value of the Units
exceeds the per share purchase price paid by Investors to Executive under this
Section 7.2, the Executive shall be entitled to receive from Investors the
benefit of such higher valuation for the Units purchased. The excess of (x) the
net proceeds which the Executive would have received in such Sale of the Company
or Public Offering from the sale in such transaction of all Units repurchased by
Investors under this Section 7.2, less (y) the amount which the Executive
received from the purchase of such Units by Investors, shall be paid by
certified or cashier's check or wire transfer of funds to Executive upon
consummation of such transaction; provided that, Executive shall have no rights
under this paragraph if, in connection with the determination of Fair Market
Value of the repurchased Units, the Arbiter was used.

      7.3 Obligation to Sell Several. If there is more than one member of the
Executive Group, the failure of any one member thereof to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not excuse or affect the obligations of any other
member thereof, and the closing of the purchases from such other members by
Investors shall not excuse, or constitute a waiver of its rights against, the
defaulting member.

8. Certain Limitations on Investors's Obligations to Purchase Units.

      8.1 Payment for Units. If at any time Investors elects or is required to
purchase any Units pursuant to Section 7, Investors shall pay the purchase price
for the Units it purchases (i) first, by offsetting indebtedness, if any, owing
from the Executive to Investors (which indebtedness shall be applied pro rata
against the proceeds receivable by each member of the Executive Group receiving
consideration in such repurchase) and (ii) then, by Investors' delivery of a
check or wire transfer of immediately available funds for the remainder of the
purchase price, if any, against delivery of the certificates or other
instruments representing the Units so purchased, duly endorsed; provided that if
such cash payment would result (A) in a violation of any law, statute, rule,
regulation, policy, order, writ, injunction, decree or judgment promulgated or
entered by any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental authority
applicable to Investors or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their
property or (B) after giving effect thereto, a Financing Default, or (C) if the
Board determines in good faith that immediately prior to such purchase there
shall exist a Financing Default which prohibits such purchase, dividend or
distribution ((A) through (C) collectively the "Cash Deferral Conditions"), the
portion of the cash payment so affected may be made by Investors' delivery of
preferred units of Investors with a liquidation preference equal to the balance
of the purchase price; which preferred units shall accrue yield annually at the
"prime rate" published in The Wall Street Journal on the date of issuance, which
yield shall be payable at maturity or upon payment of distributions by Investors
(other than tax distributions). Each such preferred unit shall as of its
issuance be deemed to have basic contributions made with respect to such unit
equal to (A) the portion of the cash payment paid by the issuance of such
preferred units divided by (B) the number of preferred units so issued in the
repurchase. Any such preferred units issued shall be promptly

                                       15
<PAGE>

redeemed (i) when the Cash Deferral Condition which prompted their issuance no
longer exists, (ii) upon consummation of an IPO of the Company or Holdings (or
their successors) (to the extent allowed by the underwriters of such IPO), or
(iii) upon a Sale of the Company from net cash proceeds, if any, payable to
Investors or its unitholders; to the extent that sufficient net cash proceeds
are not so payable, the preferred units shall be cancelled in exchange for such
noncash consideration received by unitholders in the Sale of the Company having
a fair market value equal to the principal of and accrued yield on the preferred
units. If a yield is required to be paid on any preferred units prior to
maturity and any Cash Deferral Conditions exist, such yield may be cumulated and
accrued until and to the extent that such prohibition no longer exists.

9. Noncompetition.

      9.1 Competitive Activity. Executive shall be deemed to have engaged in
"Competitive Activity" if, during the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending on the second anniversary of the date Executive's employment with
Investors or its subsidiaries terminates, (i) Executive, for himself or on
behalf of any other person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity,
engages, directly or indirectly, as an executive, agent, representative,
consultant, partner, shareholder or holder of any other financial interest, in
any business that competes with Investors or its subsidiaries in the line of
business Executive is employed in by Investors or its subsidiaries (as
applicable), as such business is described in any employment or severance
agreement then in effect between Executive and Investors or one of its
subsidiaries or, if no such agreement is then in effect, as described on
Schedule III attached hereto (a "Competing Business"), it being understood and
agreed that Executive's activities shall not satisfy this clause (i) where
Executive is employed by a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other
entity engaged in a variety of activities, including the Competing Business, and
Executive is not engaged in or responsible for the Competing Business of such
entity. Executive may also, without satisfying clause (i) be a passive owner of
not more than 2% of the outstanding publicly traded stock of any class of a
Competing Business so long as Executive has no active participation in the
business of such entity, except to the extent permitted above; or (ii) Executive
(A) directly or indirectly through another entity, induces or attempts to induce
any employee of the Company or its subsidiaries to leave the employ of the
Company or its subsidiaries, or in any way interfere with the relationship
between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any employee thereof, (B)
knowingly hires any person who was an employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries within 180 days prior to the time such employee was hired by
Executive, (C) induces or attempts to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or
other business relation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to cease doing
business with the Company or its subsidiaries or in any way interfere with the
relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation
and the Company or any subsidiary or (D) directly or indirectly acquires or
attempt to acquire an interest in any business relating to the business of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries and with which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has entertained discussions or has requested and received
information relating to the acquisition of such business by the Company or its
subsidiaries in the oneyear period immediately preceding Executive's termination
of employment with the Company.

                                       16
<PAGE>

      9.2 Activity Date. If Executive engages in Competitive Activity, the
"Activity Date" shall be the first date on which Executive engages in such
Competitive Activity.

      9.3 Repayment of Proceeds. If Executive engages in Competitive Activity,
then Executive shall be required to pay to Investors, within ten business days
following the Activity Date, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the
aggregate proceeds Executive received upon the sale or other disposition of
Executive's Units, over (B) the aggregate Cost of such Units.

10. Miscellaneous.

      10.1 Transfers to Permitted Transferees. Prior to the transfer of Units to
a Permitted Transferee (other than a transfer in connection with or subsequent
to a Sale of the Company), the Executive shall deliver to Investors a written
agreement of the proposed transferee (a) evidencing such Person's undertaking to
be bound by the terms of this Agreement and (b) acknowledging that the Units
transferred to such Person will continue to be Units for purposes of this
Agreement in the hands of such Person. Any transfer or attempted transfer of
Units in violation of any provision of this Agreement or the Securityholders
Agreement shall be void, and Investors shall not record such transfer on its
books or treat any purported transferee of such Units as the owner of such Units
for any purpose.

      10.2 Deemed Transfer of Units. If Investors shall deliver, at the time and
place and in the amount and form provided in this Agreement, the consideration
for the Units to be repurchased in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, then from and after such time, the Person from whom such units are to
be repurchased shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such units (other
than the right to receive payment of such consideration in accordance with this
Agreement), and such Units shall be deemed purchased in accordance with the
applicable provisions hereof and Investors shall be deemed the owner and holder
of such Units, whether or not certificates therefor have been delivered as
required by this Agreement.

      10.3 Recapitalizations, Exchanges, Etc., Affecting Units. The provisions
of this Agreement shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein with respect
to Units, to any and all securities of Investors or any successor or assign of
Investors (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which
may be issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of the Units,
by reason of any dividend payable in units, issuance of units, combination,
recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise.

      10.4 Executive's Employment by Investors. Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall be deemed to obligate Investors or any subsidiary of Investors
to employ the Executive in any capacity whatsoever or to prohibit or restrict
Investors (or any such subsidiary) from terminating the employment of the
Executive at any time or for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause.

      10.5 Indemnification by Executive. Executive agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless Investors against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, judgments,
fines, fees or expenses,

                                       17
<PAGE>

including, without limitation, attorneys' fees (for purposes of this Section
10.5, hereinafter "Losses"), incurred in connection with any failure to withhold
amounts relating to the Units acquired herein by the Management Investors. In
the event there is a determination within the meaning of Section 1313 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that Investors properly failed to
withhold amounts relating to the Units acquired herein by Executive, Executive
shall provide Investors with a Form 4669 or other suitable evidence of payment
of taxes (which will include a cancelled check or a copy of the relevant signed
tax return) with respect to the receipt of any distributions relating to the
Units acquired herein by Executive. To the extent either Investors and/or any of
its affiliates is entitled to any tax deduction with respect to the issuance of
Units, (i) Investors shall specially allocate such deduction to the Executive
and/or (ii) Holdings shall pay, or cause any affiliate to pay, as the case may
be, Executive an amount equal to 40% of such deduction, such amount to be
grossed up to reflect any additional deduction to Holdings and/or any of its
affiliates (as the case may be) provided that if any Cash Deferral Condition
exists at the time such payment is required, such payment shall be deferred
until no such Cash Deferral Condition exists. Each of Executive and Investors
shall notify the other (in a manner described in Section 10.10 of this
Agreement) within 20 days of first receiving notice of an audit or other
proceeding being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service or any state or local
taxing authority relating to the Units acquired herein by the Management
Investors, and both Executive and Investors shall assist each other during the
course of such audit or other proceeding to the extent that such assistance is
reasonably requested.

      10.6 Binding Effect. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding
upon and accrue to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided, however, that no
Permitted Transferee shall derive any rights under this Agreement unless and
until such Permitted Transferee has executed and delivered to Investors a valid
undertaking and becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement.

      10.7 Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended only by a written
instrument signed by the parties hereto. No waiver by any party hereto of any of
the provisions hereof shall be effective unless set forth in a writing executed
by the party so waiving.

      10.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts made and to be performed therein.

      10.9 Jurisdiction. Any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this
Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court in respect of any thereof, shall
be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware, and
each of Investors and the members of the Executive Group hereby submits to the
exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of any such suit, action,
proceeding or judgment. Each of the members of the Executive Group and Investors
hereby irrevocably waives any objections which it may now or hereafter have to
the laying of the venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the
State of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably waives any claim that

                                       18
<PAGE>

any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought
in any inconvenient forum.

      10.10 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered,
telecopied (with confirmation of receipt), one day after deposit with a
reputable overnight delivery service (charges prepaid) and three days after
deposit in the U.S. Mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) to the
address set forth below or such other address as the recipient party has
previously delivered notice to the sending party.

              (a)    If to Investors
                     MFoods Investors, LLC
                     c/o Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P.
                     1225 Seventeenth Street
                     Suite 1660
                     Denver, CO 80202
                     Attention: James P. Kelley
                     Facsimile: (303) 2926639

              with copies to:

                     Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P.
                     245 Park Avenue, 41st Floor
                     New York, NY  10167
                     Attention: General Counsel
                     Facsimile: (212) 8084922

                     Kirkland & Ellis
                     200 East Randolph Drive
                     Chicago, IL 60601
                     Attention: Stephen L. Ritchie
                     Facsimile: (312) 8612200

              (b)    If to the Executive, to the address as shown on the unit
                     register of Investors.

              with a copy to:

                     Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
                     Four Times Square
                     New York, NY 100366522
                     Attention: Eric L. Cochran

                                       19
<PAGE>

      10.11 Integration. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein or
delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof contain the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, representations,
warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof
other than those expressly set forth herein and therein. This Agreement
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.

      10.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate
counterparts (including by means of telecopied signature pages), and by
different parties on separate counterparts each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

      10.13 Rights Cumulative; Waiver. The rights and remedies of the Executive
and Investors under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies which either would otherwise have hereunder or at law or in
equity or by statute, and no failure or delay by either party in exercising any
right or remedy shall impair any such right or remedy or operate as a waiver of
such right or remedy, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power or
right preclude such party's other or further exercise or the exercise of any
other power or right. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
preceding or succeeding breach and no failure by either party to exercise any
right or privilege hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of such party's rights or
privileges hereunder or shall be deemed a waiver of such party's rights to
exercise the same at any subsequent time or times hereunder.

                                   * * * * *

                                       20
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Management Stock
Purchase and Unit Subscription Agreement as of the date first above written.

                           MFOODS INVESTORS, LLC

                           By:
                              ---------------------------------

                           Its:
                              ---------------------------------

                           MFOODS HOLDINGS, INC.

                           By:
                              ---------------------------------

                           Its:
                              ---------------------------------

                           EXECUTIVE

                           ------------------------------------
                                     Gregg A. Ostrander

                           JOINT TENANT

                           ------------------------------------
                                    Kristin Kjar Ostrander

<PAGE>

                               CONSENT OF SPOUSE

            I, ____________, the undersigned spouse of Executive, hereby
acknowledge that I have read the foregoing Management Stock Purchase and Unit
Subscription Agreement (the "Agreement") and that I understand its contents. I
am aware that the Agreement provides for the repurchase of my spouse's Units (as
defined in the Agreement) under certain circumstances and imposes other
restrictions on the transfer of such Units. I agree that my spouse's interest in
the Units is subject to the Agreement and any interest I may have in such Units
shall also be irrevocably bound by the Agreement and, further, that my community
property interest in such Units, if any, shall be similarly bound by the
Agreement.

            I am aware that the legal, financial and other matters contained in
the Agreement are complex and I am encouraged to seek advice with respect
thereto from independent legal and/or financial counsel. I have either sought
such advice or determined after carefully reviewing the Agreement that I hereby
waive such right.

                  Acknowledged and agreed this ___ day of
                  _____________, 2001.

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

                  Name:
                       -------------------------------------------

                  ------------------------------------------------
                                    Witness

<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE I

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Shares            Purchased Shares                 Share Purchase Price
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        34,768                 29,199                         $878,889.93
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE II

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Contributed Shares                            Units
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             5,569                            42,000 Class B Units
                                              42,000 Class C Units
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE III

Competing Business: Production, distribution or sale of eggs or egg products

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                       ELECTION TO INCLUDE UNITS IN GROSS
                    INCOME PURSUANT TO SECTION 83(b) OF THE
                             INTERNAL REVENUE CODE

      The undersigned purchased units (the "Units") of MFoods Investors, LLC
("Investors") on ________, 2001. The undersigned desires to make an election to
have the Units taxed under the provision of Section 83(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code ss.83(b)"), at the time the undersigned
purchased the Units.

            Therefore, pursuant to Code ss.83(b) and Treasury Regulation
ss.1.832 promulgated thereunder, the undersigned hereby makes an election, with
respect to the Units (described below), to report as taxable income for calendar
year 2001 the excess, if any, of the Units' fair market value on ______, 2001
over the purchase price thereof.

            The following information is supplied in accordance with Treasury
Regulation ss.1.83-2(e):

            1. The name, address and social security number of the undersigned:

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

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

               ------------------------------------
               SSN:
                   --------------------------------

            2. A description of the property with respect to which the election
is being made: ________ Class A Units ____ Class B Units ____ and Class C Units.

            3. The date on which the property was transferred: _________, 2001.
The taxable year for which such election is made: calendar year 2001.

            4. The restrictions to which the property is subject: The Units are
subject to a timebased vesting schedule. If the undersigned ceases to be
employed by Investors or any of its subsidiaries under certain circumstances,
all or a portion of the Units may be subject to repurchase by Investors at a
price per Unit equal to the lesser of (x) fair market value (measured as of the
date of such repurchase) and (y) cost. The Units are also subject to transfer
restrictions.

            5. The aggregate fair market value on ______ __, 2001 of the
property with respect to which the election is being made, determined without
regard to any lapse restrictions: $______________.

            6. The aggregate amount paid for such property: $_______. A copy of
this election has been furnished to the Secretary of Investors pursuant to
Treasury Regulations ss.1.832(e)(7).

<PAGE>

Dated:  ________, 2001          -------------------------------
                                             [Name]

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