Document:

Prepared by Kilpatrick Stockton EDGAR Services

  EXHIBIT 4.3

  The Hops Operating
  Partner Equity Investment Plan

             
  The title of the plan described herein is the “Hops Operating Partner Equity
  Investment Plan” (the “Plan”).

             
  Operating Partners are those ten percent limited partners and employees of
  Limited Partnerships controlled by Avado Brands, Inc.  The Limited
  Partnerships own and operate Hops Restaurant * Bar * Brewery restaurants (the
  “Restaurants”), and have hired the Operating Partners to manage the
  operations of the Restaurants pursuant to five year Employment Agreements that
  automatically extend for consecutive one year periods unless terminated by one
  of the parties.  The General Partner of each of the Limited Partnerships
  is offering Operating Partners a loan (the “Note”) to be used for the
  purchase of Avado Brands, Inc. common stock, $.01 par value per share (the “Avado
  Stock”) in an amount equal to the amount actually paid to the Limited
  Partnerships by the Operating Partner for his ten percent partnership interest
  (an “Equity Investment”).  The Plan does not provide for the purchase
  of any securities other than Avado Stock.

             
  Operating Partners shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if selected by
  the General Partner of the Limited Partnerships.  Each Operating Partner
  purchasing Avado Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be required to sign an
  amendment to his Employment Agreement and a Pledge Agreement (collectively,
  the “Agreements”).  The Agreements will obligate the Operating
  Partner to pledge Avado Stock, in an amount equal to the principal of the
  Note, to the Limited Partnership for the duration of the Operating Partner’s
  relationship with the Limited Partnership with which he is associated. 
  The pledged Avado Stock shall secure the Operating Partner’s obligations to
  the Limited Partnership under his Agreements.  That amount of Avado Stock
  shall be held solely in the name of the Operating Partner, free and clear of
  any liens or encumbrances other than those described herein.  During the
  term of the Agreements, an Operating Partner may not sell, assign or
  hypothecate the pledged Avado Stock.

             
  The Employment Agreement, as amended, of each Operating Partner will continue
  to specify annual compensation of, and benefits and distributions to, the
  Operating Partner.  Distributions shall be based upon the sales and
  profits of the Operating Partner’s restaurants.

             
  The administrator of the Plan (the “Plan Administrator”) is designated by
  the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the General Partner
  of each of the Limited Partnerships.  The Plan Administrator maintains
  the Limited Partnership’s records in connection with the Plan and is
  responsible to the Limited Partnership for the safekeeping of certificates
  representing shares of Avado Stock pledged to the Limited Partnership pursuant
  to the Agreements.  The Plan Administrator will not serve as a trustee or
  manager of any securities purchased or pledged pursuant to the Plan and is not
  authorized to represent or provide legal counsel or other advice to any person
  or entity other than the Limited Partnerships and its executive officers in
  connection with the Plan.  The Plan Administrator is authorized to
  execute and file on behalf of the Plan all statements, reports or other
  documents required to be filed with or delivered to the Securities and
  Exchange Commission or any other government agency,

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  person or entity in
  connection with the Plan.  The Plan Administrator will serve until
  removed by the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the
  General Partner of each of the Limited Partnerships or until he or she dies,
  is disabled, or resigns.  The Plan Administrator shall issue to each
  Operating Partner a quarterly report showing, as of the close of business on
  the final day of each fiscal quarter, the number of shares of Avado Stock that
  such Operating Partner has pledged pursuant to the Agreements and the market
  value of Avado Stock.

             
  Each Operating Partner’s Equity
  Investment shall be purchased by the Operating Partner in the open market by
  placing one or more orders with a broker/dealer (the “Broker”) or such
  other means as may be selected by the Operating Partner.  Neither Avado
  Brands, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall sell shares to,
  assist with or in any way facilitate the purchase by any Operating Partner of
  Avado Stock, other than to authorize one or more Brokers to distribute
  information and applications related to the opening of ordinary brokerage
  accounts with such Brokers.  Payment for Avado Stock purchased by the
  Operating Partner must be made by the Operating Partner directly to the seller
  (through an agent of the Operating Partner if applicable), not to the Limited
  Partnership or Avado Brands, Inc.  Operating Partners shall be
  responsible and liable for all commissions, charges and/or fees charged by any
  Broker.

             
  In the event that prior to the end of his initial five year term of employment
  (1) an Operating Partner’s employment with his Limited Partnership
  terminates or (2) the General Partner of the Limited Partnership should close
  one of the restaurants for which the Operating Partner is responsible, the
  Operating Partner shall receive, within 30 days:

  	the cash amount paid by Employee
      for his or her Equity Investment less

  	any outstanding indebtedness on
      the Note.

  The Limited Partnership shall return
  and release to the Operating Partner the number of pledged shares of Avado
  Stock having a value that as closely as possible equals the Equity Investment
  out of the shares pledged pursuant to the Agreements.  Any Avado Stock
  not returned and released to the Operating Partner, with an aggregate value of
  up to $300,000 per restaurant for which the Operating Partner is
  responsible,shall be transferred by the Operating Partner to the Limited
  Partnership as liquidated damages to help defray the costs of hiring,
  relocating, and training a replacement for the Operating Partner.

             
  In the event of any termination of an Operating Partner’s employment with
  his Limited Partnership at or after the end of his initial five year term
  of employment, the Operating partner shall receive a cash payment within 30
  days of his termination equal to:

  	
  (a)

      	
  10% of the lesser of (1) four times
  annual cash flow for the Limited Partnership for the 12 calendar months
  preceding the month of employment termination (“cash flow” being defined
  as net income plus depreciation and amortization), or (2) the fair market
  value of the Limited Partnership as determined by the General Partner (whose
  determination shall be final and binding on all parties), each calculated in
  accordance with generally accepted accounting principals; provided, however,
  that in no event  shall the value determined in this subparagraph be less than
  the amount originally paid by the Operating Partner for his Equity Investment;
  less

      

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	(b)
  	the amount, if any, that the
  aggregate value of the Operating Partner’s pledged Avado Stock on the public
  markets at the close of business on the date of termination (but never a
  greater value than the value determined in subparagraph (a) above) exceeds the
  Equity Investment; less
	(c)
  	any outstanding indebtedness on the
  Note.

   The Limited Partnership shall also
  release and return to the Operating Partner all of his pledged Avado Stock.

             
  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, in no event shall the General
  Partner deliver to the Operating Partner, after the end of his term of
  employment, cash and Avado Stock with an aggregate value of less than the
  Equity Investment plus the aggregate value of any principal payments by
  the Operating Partner on the Note.”

             
  The Plan will commence immediately upon the effectiveness of the filing of a
  registration statement on Form S-8, including the plan as an exhibit, with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Plan will continue thereafter as
  long as any Operating Partner is subject to the Agreements or until such other
  date as the General Partner of the Limited Partnerships may elect to terminate
  the Plan.

   

   3<PAGE>

                                                 Crane
                                                 Consulting
                                                 Corporation

                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

January 5, 2002

Board of Directors
LifeF/X, Inc.
153 Needham Street Suite 150
Newton MA 02464

Gentlepersons:

This Engagement Letter outlines a Go to Market (GTM) project, which we have
embarked on over the past two weeks. Crane Consulting Corporation (CRANE) will
provide advisory services to Life F/X, Inc (LIFEFX) in accordance with the
following provisions.

UNDERSTANDING OF REQUIREMENTS

LIFEFX has developed an innovative and proprietary approach to enhance digital
communication via websites, email, messaging and other platforms by providing
Stand Ins - images of the human face which convey words, speech and expressions
in a very lifelike manner. LIFEFX is completing software that allows web site
designers and developers to quickly and efficiently incorporate this
differentiating feature into their applications, and to creatively control the
content and expressions. LifeFX has also developed a software based service
capability to convert photographs into the company's highly realistic Stand Ins.
These capabilities are scheduled for launch in January, 2002.

As LifeFX completes its development work, the company needs assistance in
accelerating its go to market activities. This includes a combination of
marketing, product management, sales, business development and supporting
process work, particularly during the first quarter of 2002. From a broad set
potential market segments and applications, this near term GTM effort will focus
on creative agencies and corporate groups which develop sophisticated web sites.
The Company intends to implement and validate a combination of marketing, sales,
and support processes that will efficiently generate new customer orders and
revenues. LifeFX has set a goal of closing 50 orders for the Controller software
which allows designers and developers to integrate Stand Ins and manage content
and expression, and 50 Stand-Ins as part of this launch.

In addition, LifeFX needs to convert what it learns from the initial wave of GTM
activities and results into the next stage of programs, projects and results to
efficiently scale and support aggressive growth plans. These will be articulated
in revisions to the company's business plan, marketing plan and follow-on
development plans.

APPROACH

     o  CRANE will provide LifeFX with interim executive services to achieve its
        GTM objectives by working as an integral part of the LifeFX leadership
        team. These services draw on our experience with a broad range of
        software and information services businesses. We will emphasize areas
        including product and service value propositions, pricing, sales
        process, marketing programs and distribution channel development.

     o  Dennis J. Crane will serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer of LifeFX.
        Mr. Crane shall report to the Board of Directors of LifeFX. He will
        devote such time to the consulting activities covered hereby as needed
        on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Crane shall not assign this agreement or
        subcontract any of the work, labor or services to be preformed by him as
        Acting Chief Executive Officer without prior written consent of the
        Board.

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9901 FRINGE TREE COURT   LOUISVILLE, KY 40241  502-394-9272  502-394-9431(FAX)

<PAGE>

LifeFX - p.2 of 3

     GO TO MARKET PLAN ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Crane will actively and critically review the current state of the LifeFX
business plan and go to market activities with a focus on refining and
capitalizing on work that has been completed. This will include discussion with
LifeFX staff and advisors, review of product and technology, market information,
and competitive environment. We will refine elements of the current plan and
activities, and work with the LifeFX leadership to define and set priorities on
high impact, near term programs that are essential to achieving successful
launch and market validation in the core developer market. This work has been
largely completed during December 2001. We will document this in a
straightforward GTM Plan, reviewed with LifeFX.

     IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

During the period January to March of 2002, Crane will provide implementation
support for the LifeFX Go to Market activities, as defined in the GTM Plan. We
expect that this will involve significant time on-site at LifeFX, and a high
level of interaction with LifeFX staff, prospective customers, service providers
in telemarketing and other partners. Crane can take lead responsibility for
selected activities in the Plan and active support and external perspective for
activities lead by others on the LifeFX team. In the course of this activity,
Crane also anticipates working with LifeFX to formulate the next stage of GTM
activities, including development of channel partnerships, refinements of the
sales model, pricing / position options, and sales training, based on the
initial market feedback.

We anticipate this engagement will involve 3 to 4 days per week during the first
three months of 2002. Additional support beyond that time can be determined
based on actual experience, progress and results.

DELIVERABLES

Crane deliverables for with this engagement will be the GTM Plan and materials -
marketing collateral, objection handling, and competitive positioning in both
draft and final form for delivery in electronic and print media. Crane will also
provide internal GTM planning and coordination materials and other activities,
which you determine, including communications with Safeguard Scientifics as
appropriate.

SCHEDULE AND MILESTONES

This Engagement began with initial dialog at Safeguard Scientific on the LifeFX
market opportunity and business plan in mid-December, 2001. The GTM review was
largely completed during December 2001, including on-site meetings at LifeFX and
follow-up research and communications with Safeguard Scientifics.

PROFESSIONAL FEES AND EXPENSES

Our professional fees for this engagement, based on the scope of work and
deliverables outlined above will be as follows:

     o  GTM Assessment and Plan - $25,000, payable upon acceptance of this
        Engagement Letter.

     o  Interim Executive Services - $3500 per day for the month of January,
        2002 and $2500 per day during the months of February and March of 2002.

We will also invoice for normal, reasonable travel or other out-of-pocket direct
expenses at cost. Invoices are payable 15 days after receipt.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

The relationship of Crane to LifeFX shall be that of an independent contractor
rendering professional services. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to
create a relationship of employer and employee or principal and agent between
Crane and LifeFX. Crane shall not be entitled to participate in any of the
benefit, welfare, bonus or incentive plans maintained by LifeFX for its
employees. Crane shall be responsible or all tax payments and withholdings due
for its employees and subcontractors in accordance

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9901 FRINGE TREE COURT   LOUISVILLE, KY 40241  502-394-9272  502-394-9431(FAX)

<PAGE>

LifeFX - p.3 of 3

with federal, state, city and county and other local tax laws pursuant to the
laws of the United States and any foreign country where services may be rendered
by Crane.

TERMINATION

LifeFX may terminate Crane's services at any point in time without penalty on 7
days notice. In the event of such termination, LifeFX shall have no obligation
or liability hereunder except with respect to any payments owed to Crane prior
to the date of termination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

LIFEFX and CRANE will sign the attached Non-Disclosure Agreement.

APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED

Please indicate your acceptance of this proposal by signing and faxing a copy to
the number below. It will be a pleasure to work with you and your team on this
important effort.

Sincerely yours,

Dennis J. Crane

Crane Consulting Corporation

Accepted:

LIFEF/X, INC                                                  Date:    1/5/02
--------------------------------------------

/S/ LESLIE SELBOVITZ
--------------------------------------------
Name

DIRECTOR
--------------------------------------------
Title

LIFEF/X, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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9901 FRINGE TREE COURT   LOUISVILLE, KY 40241  502-394-9272  502-394-9431(FAX)

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