Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.40

                        FIFTH LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

        THIS FIFTH LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT ("Amendment") is entered into as
of the 22nd day of March, 2002 by and between BIG BUCK BREWERY & STEAKHOUSE,
INC., a Michigan corporation, f/k/a Michigan Brewery, Inc. ("Borrower"), and
WAYNE COUNTY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, a body politic of the State of
Michigan ("Lender").

                                    RECITALS:

        WHEREAS, on or about February 4, 2000, Lender (i) acquired certain loans
to Borrower from Bank One, Michigan ("BANK ONE"), formerly known as NBD Bank, a
Michigan banking corporation (collectively, the "BANK ONE LOANS"),
(ii) restructured and consolidated the Bank One Loans ("RESTRUCTURED LOAN"), and
(iii) made an additional $5,876,114.74 loan to Borrower ("NEW LOAN").

        WHEREAS, the Restructured Loan is evidenced by that certain Amended,
Restated and Consolidated Convertible Note dated February 4, 2000 in the
principal amount of $1,623,885.26 given by Borrower in favor of Lender
("CONSOLIDATED NOTE").

        WHEREAS, the New Loan is evidenced by that certain 10% Convertible
Secured Promissory Note Due February 2003 dated February 4, 2000 in the
principal amount of $5,876,114.74 given by Borrower in favor of Lender
("CONVERTIBLE NOTE").

        WHEREAS, on or about August 21, 2000, Lender made an additional loan to
Borrower in the principal amount of $1,500,000 ("Texas Loan"), which Texas Loan
was evidenced by a Promissory Note in the principal amount of $1,500,000 dated
August 21, 2000 given by Borrower in favor of Lender ("Texas Note"; and the
Consolidated Note, the Convertible Note and the Texas Note, as amended, are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "NOTES"), and in connection
therewith entered into a Loan Modification Agreement and various other loan and
security documents executed in connection therewith (collectively, the "FIRST
MODIFICATION DOCUMENTS").

        WHEREAS, on or about October 20, 2000 but effective as of
October 1, 2000, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain Second Loan
Modification Agreement pursuant to which, among other things, Lender agreed to
extend the term of the Consolidated Note until October 1, 2002, and Borrower
executed and delivered an Allonge to the Consolidated Note and various other
loan and security documents executed in connection therewith (collectively, the
"SECOND MODIFICATION DOCUMENTS").

        WHEREAS, on or about February 20, 2001 Borrower and Lender entered into
that certain Third Loan Modification Agreement pursuant to which Lender agreed
to extend the term of the (i) Consolidated Note to February 1, 2003 and
(ii) Texas Note to no later than February 1, 2003, and, in connection therewith,
Borrower executed and delivered a Second Allonge to the Consolidated Note
("SECOND ALLONGE") and an Allonge to the Texas Note ("TEXAS ALLONGE") and
various other loan and security documents executed in connection therewith
(collectively, the "THIRD MODIFICATION DOCUMENTS").

        WHEREAS, on March 15, 2001, Borrower and Lender entered into that
certain Fourth Loan Modification Agreement pursuant to which, among other
things, Lender issued an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit to
Crestmark Bank ("Crestmark") in the amount of $1,000,000 ("CRESTMARK LETTER OF
CREDIT"), to secure Borrower's obligations with respect to a $1,000,000 line of
credit provided by Crestmark to Borrower and various other loan and security
documents executed in connection therewith (collectively, the "FOURTH
MODIFICATION DOCUMENTS").

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        WHEREAS, the Notes are secured or evidenced by:

            (i)    Mortgage (Future Advance) dated April 25, 1995 given by
                   Borrower to Bank One, as recorded in Liber 586, Page 112,
                   Otsego County Records, as amended by Amendment dated
                   July 28, 1995, as recorded in Liber 591, Page 139, Otsego
                   County Records, as assigned to Lender by Assignment of
                   Mortgage dated February 4, 2000, as recorded in Liber 749,
                   Page 302, Otsego County Records, as amended by that certain
                   Second Amendment to Mortgage dated February 4, 2000, as
                   recorded in Liber 749, Page 309, Otsego County Records, as
                   amended by that certain Third Amendment to Mortgage dated
                   August 21, 2000, as recorded in Liber 772, Page 001, Otsego
                   County Records, as amended by that certain Fourth Amendment
                   to Mortgage dated as of October 20, 2000 but effective as of
                   October 1, 2000, as recorded in Liber 0777, Page 844 Otsego
                   County Records, and as further amended by that certain Fifth
                   Amendment to Mortgage dated March 15, 2001, as recorded in
                   Liber 794, Page 165, Otsego County Records (as amended, the
                   "GAYLORD MORTGAGE"), which Gaylord Mortgage encumbers certain
                   real property owned by Borrower in the City of Gaylord,
                   Otsego County, Michigan ("GAYLORD PROPERTY");

            (ii)   Mortgage dated February 4, 2000, given by Borrower in favor
                   of Lender as recorded in Liber 21160, Page 389, Oakland
                   County Records, as amended by that certain First Amendment to
                   Mortgage dated effective as of August 21, 2000 as recorded in
                   Liber 21788, Page 775, Oakland County Records, as amended by
                   that certain Second Amendment to Mortgage dated
                   October 20, 2000 but effective as of October 1, 2000 as
                   recorded in Liber 21952, Page 742, Oakland County Records,
                   and as further amended by that certain Third Amendment to
                   Mortgage dated March 15, 2001, as recorded in Book 22485,
                   Page 281, Oakland County Records (as amended, "LEASEHOLD
                   MORTGAGE"), encumbering Borrower's leasehold interest in
                   certain real property located in the City of Auburn Hills,
                   Oakland County, Michigan ("AUBURN HILLS PROPERTY");

            (iii)  Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated February 4, 2000 executed
                   by the Borrower;

            (iv)   Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement for 10%
                   Convertible Secured Promissory Note due February 2003 by and
                   between Lender and Borrower;

            (v)    Security Agreement dated February 4, 2000 executed by Lender
                   and Borrower;

            (vi)   Limited Partnership Interest Pledge and Security Agreement
                   dated February 4, 2000 executed by Lender and Borrower;

            (vii)  Stock Pledge and Security Agreement dated February 4, 2000
                   executed by Lender and Borrower;

            (viii) an Assignment of Real Estate Leases and Rents dated
                   July 28, 1995, recorded in Liber 591, Page 144, Otsego County
                   Records given by Borrower in favor of Bank One, as assigned
                   to Lender by Assignment of Real Estate Leases and Rents dated
                   February 4, 2000, as recorded in Liber 0749, Page 305, Otsego
                   County Records and as amended (as amended, the "ASSIGNMENT");

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            (ix)   Loan Agreement dated July 28, 1995 by and between Borrower
                   and Bank One, as assigned to Lender;

            (x)    Assignment of Note dated as of August 21, 2000 by and between
                   Borrower and Lender;

            (xi)   Continuing Guaranty dated March 31, 1995 and Continuing
                   Guaranty dated July 28, 1995, from William F. Rolinski
                   ("GUARANTOR") to Bank One, as assigned to Lender and as
                   ratified (collectively, the "ORIGINAL GUARANTEES"); and

            (xii)  UCC Financing Statements and other loan documents with
                   respect to the Notes and the documents executed in connection
                   with the Bank One Loan.

(All of the documents described in this recital as amended by the First
Modification Documents, the Second Modification Documents, the Third
Modification Documents and the Fourth Modification Documents are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "ORIGINAL LOAN DOCUMENTS".)

        WHEREAS, on February 28, 2002, Lender made a bridge loan to Borrower in
the amount of $500,000 to cover unpaid real property taxes on its Michigan
properties ("ADVANCE").

        WHEREAS, Borrower requested, and Lender agreed, to permit Borrower to
obtain a loan from United Bank and Trust ("UNITED Bank") in the amount of
$5,000,000 ("UNITED BANK LOAN") to, among other things, repay the Advance and to
repay the Crestmark Line of Credit and other items, as more particularly
described on EXHIBIT A attached hereto ("USES").

        WHEREAS, as security for the United Bank Loan, Lender has agreed to
either (i) issue an unconditional and irrevocable Letter of Credit in favor of
United Bank for the account of Borrower in the amount of $5,000,000.00 or
(ii) provide cash collateral for the United Bank Loan in the amount of
$5,000,000 ("WCERS COLLATERAL").

        WHEREAS, Borrower has represented to Lender that it shall use the
proceeds of the United Bank Loan to pay the items listed on EXHIBIT A attached
hereto ("USES").

        WHEREAS, in connection with Lender providing the WCERS Collateral for
the benefit of Borrower, the Borrower is executing and delivering to Lender this
amendment.

        NOW, THEREFORE, as consideration of the foregoing it is hereby agreed
that:

        1. RECITALS. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein by
reference and shall form a part of this Agreement.

        2. MODIFICATIONS. Subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement, Lender is agreeing, INTER ALIA, to permit the Borrower to obtain
the United Bank Loan and provide the WCERS Collateral to United Bank for the
benefit of Borrower as security for the United Bank Loan.

(For convenience, the modification referred to in this Paragraph 2 is
hereinafter referred to as the "MODIFICATIONS".)

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        3. BORROWERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. As of March 20, 2002, there was (i)
$1,603,187.30 in principal owing under the Consolidated Note, (ii) $5,809,598.48
in principal owing under the Convertible Note and (iii) $1,500,000.00 in
principal owing under the Texas Note, plus accrued but unpaid interest, costs
and expenses and other obligations provided in the Loan Documents (all such
obligations of Borrower to Lender are hereinafter collectively referred to as
the "OBLIGATIONS"). The Obligations are due and owing Lender without setoff,
recoupment, defense, deduction, counterclaim, credit, allowance or adjustment,
whether in law or equity, of any kind or nature.

        4.  MODIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS.

           (a) AMENDMENT TO GAYLORD MORTGAGE. The Gaylord Mortgage and
Assignment shall be amended by a Sixth Amendment to Mortgage dated as the date
hereof to evidence the fact that the Gaylord Mortgage also secures the United
Bank Reimbursement Obligations (as herein defined), in substantially the form of
EXHIBIT B attached hereto;

           (b) AMENDMENT TO LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE. The Leasehold Mortgage shall be
amended by a Fourth Amendment to Mortgage dated as of the date of this Agreement
to evidence the fact that the Leasehold Mortgage secures the United Bank
Reimbursement Obligations, in substantially the form of EXHIBIT C attached
hereto;

           (c) GRAND RAPIDS MORTGAGE. Borrower shall execute and deliver to
Lender a first priority mortgage ("GRAND RAPIDS MORTGAGE") on Borrower's
leasehold interest in its Grand Rapids Big Buck Brewery & Steakhouse operations
("GRAND RAPIDS LOCATION"), in substantially the form of EXHIBIT D attached
hereto.

           (d) GUARANTY AND INDEMNIFICATION. Guarantor shall execute and deliver
to Lender a Guaranty and Indemnification Agreement in substantially the form of
EXHIBIT E ("New Guaranty") attached hereto, pursuant to which Guarantor shall
guaranty and indemnify Lender with respect to the United Bank Reimbursement
Obligations; provided, however, the aggregate obligations of Guarantor with
respect to the Original Guaranties and the New Guaranty, shall be limited to
$5,000,000 plus Enforcement Costs, as defined in the New Guaranty.

           (e) Borrower shall, within 10 days of the date hereof, provide Lender
with an estoppel letter in substantially the form of EXHIBIT F attached hereto
executed by Borrower's landlord at the Grand Rapids location.

           (f) MISCELLANEOUS. All such other documents and agreements reasonably
required by Lender to effectuate the provisions of this Agreement.

(For convenience, this Agreement and all other documents executed in connection
herewith are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the "FIFTH
MODIFICATION DOCUMENTS"; and the Original Loan Documents and the Fifth
Modification Documents are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"LOAN DOCUMENTS".)

        5.  UNITED BANK REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS.

           (a) In the event the WCERS Collateral shall be drawn upon by United
Bank, Borrower shall immediately pay to Lender in the immediately available
U.S. funds at the principal office of Lender or as otherwise directed by Lender
the full amount of all funds paid to United Bank under the WCERS Collateral.

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           (b) Borrower hereby agrees to pay and to indemnify, defend and hold
Lender harmless against all amounts, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses
and/or losses arising from or connected in any way with respect to, without
limitation, the following:

                (i)   Borrower's failure to pay and perform under this Amendment
                      and/or the other Loan Documents evidencing and securing
                      the United Bank Reimbursement Obligations;

                (ii)  Any drawing against the WCERS Collateral by United Bank;

                (iii) Any amounts advanced by Lender to protect and preserve the
                      WCERS Collateral and/or any collateral securing the United
                      Bank Reimbursement Obligations and/or the issuance of the
                      Letter of Credit;

                (iv)  Any action taken by Lender to prevent any draw against the
                      WCERS Collateral by United Bank;

                (v)   Any breach of any representation or warranty contained in
                      this Amendment and the Loan Documents evidencing or
                      securing the Notes;

                (vi)  Any other event related to the United Bank Reimbursement
                      Obligations or the WCERS Collateral;

           (c) All amounts due Lender hereunder shall be paid by Borrower when
due. In the event Borrower fails to timely make such payments, Borrower agrees
to pay interest and all amounts paid by and payable to Lender under this
Paragraph 5 at a rate per annum equal to the highest default rate permitted
under the Notes. All interest due under this Paragraph 5 shall accrue on the
basis of a 360-day year.

           (d) Borrower further indemnifies, defends and holds Lender harmless
from any losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by Lender in
enforcing Lender's rights under this Paragraph 5, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees.

           (e) The obligations of Borrower under this Paragraph 5 (collectively,
the "UNITED BANK REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS") are absolute and unconditional,
subject to no condition precedent whatsoever and are subject to no off-set,
defense, claim or other diminution of value by reason of any claim or defense
Borrower may have against Lender now or in the future. Lender may release any or
all security for the obligations and liabilities securing the United Bank
Reimbursement Obligations, without in any way affecting or releasing the
obligations or liabilities of Borrower. Borrower waives demand, presentment,
notice of dishonor and protest. Borrower agrees Lender shall not be liable for
any delay under this Paragraph 5 nor shall Lender be liable under any obligation
to take any action with respect to any security interest granted to Lender in
connection with the WCERS Collateral and/or this Paragraph 5, including, without
limitation, any obligation to file, record or re-file or re-record, and/or to
maintain or establish the validity, priority or enforceability of its rights
into the collateral.

           (f) Lender may receive and apply all payments received from Borrower
with respect to the United Bank Reimbursement Obligations against all
obligations of Borrower to Lender under any of the Loan Documents in any order
of priority selected by Lender.

           (g) All of the collateral securing the Obligations shall secure the
Reimbursement Obligations, and a default by Borrower with respect to the
Obligations shall be a default by Borrower

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with respect to the United Bank Reimbursement Obligations, and a default by
Borrower with respect to the United Bank Reimbursement Obligations shall be a
default by Borrower with respect to the Obligations.

        6.  REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS OF BORROWER.
The Borrower represents, warrants and covenants to Lender that:

           (a) Borrower is a corporation duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Michigan and is qualified to conduct its business
in Texas; and

           (b) Borrower has the full power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and the Fifth Modification Documents, which has been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action of Borrower. This Agreement is
valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

           (c) Borrower acknowledges and agrees that all proceeds of the United
Bank Loan shall be deposited in an account ("ACCOUNT") to which Lender shall be
a required signatory to all withdrawals from said Account.

           (d) Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of Lender,
use any of the United Bank Loan proceeds for any purpose other than to pay the
Uses set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto.

        7.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. It is a condition precedent of Lender to
provide the WCERS Collateral that it shall have approved all documents, in its
sole discretion, to be executed by the Borrower and/or Lender in connection with
the United Bank Loan.

        8.  COSTS, EXPENSES, AND FEES.

           (a) Borrower agrees to pay all Modification costs, fees and expenses
of Lender's attorney and all out of pocket costs of Lender.

           (b) Borrower will pay to Lender an annual fee in the amount of
$2,500.00 ("WCERS COLLATERAL FEE") in connection with Lender providing the WCERS
Collateral on behalf of Borrower. The WCERS Collateral Fee shall be deemed
earned and payable upon the execution of this Amendment.

        9.  DOCUMENTS CONTINUE. Except as expressly modified and amended by the
terms of this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents
remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved.
If there is an express conflict between the terms of this Amendment and the
terms of the Loan Documents, the terms of this Amendment shall govern and
control.

        10. IMPAIRMENT OF COLLATERAL. The execution and delivery of this
amendment in no manner shall impair or affect any other security (by endorsement
or otherwise) for the Obligations. No security taken heretofore or hereafter
security for the Obligations or the Reimbursement Obligations shall impair in
any manner or affect this amendment. All present and future additional security
is to be considered as cumulative security.

        11. DEFAULT. A default under any of the terms of this Amendment shall be
a default under each of the Loan Documents and a default under any of the Loan
Documents shall be a default under this Amendment.

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        12. MISCELLANEOUS.

           (a) This Amendment constitutes the entire understanding of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may be modified or amended
only by a writing signed by the parties to be charged.

           (b) This Amendment is governed by the internal laws of the State of
Michigan (without regard to conflicts of the law of principles).

           (c) This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but together they shall constitute one and the same
instrument, and facsimile copies of signatures shall be treated as original
signatures for all purposes.

           (d) This Amendment is binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

           (e) If any provision of this Amendment is in conflict with any
applicable statutes or rule of law or otherwise unenforceable, such offending
provision shall be null and void only to the extent of such conflict or
unenforceability, but shall be deemed separate from and shall not invalidate any
other provision of this Amendment.

                         [SIGNATURE BLOCK ON NEXT PAGE]

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

                                                 BIG BUCK BREWERY & STEAKHOUSE,
                                                 INC.,
                                                 a Michigan corporation,
                                                 (f/k/a Michigan Brewery, Inc.)

                                                 By: /s/ William F. Rolinski
                                                     -----------------------
                                                        William F. Rolinski
                                                     Its: President

                                                              "Borrower"

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STATE OF MICHIGAN       )
                        )SS
COUNTY OF_______________)

        On this ____ day of March, 2002, before me appeared William F. Rolinski
as the President of Big Buck Brewery & Steakhouse, Inc., a Michigan corporation,
f/k/a Michigan Brewery, Inc., on behalf of the corporation.

                                        Print name: ____________________________
                                        Notary Public, __________ County, ______
                                        My commission expires___________________

                                                          [SEAL]

             [SIGNATURE PAGE FOR FIFTH LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT]

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

                                        WAYNE COUNTY EMPLOYEES'
                                        RETIREMENT SYSTEM,
                                        a body politic of the State of Michigan

                                        By: /s/ Ronald Yee
                                            --------------
                                        Print name: Ronald Yee
                                            Its: Director

                                                             "Lender"

STATE OF MICHIGAN       )
                        )ss.
COUNTY OF WAYNE)

        The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of
March, 2002 by __________________, the _________________ of Wayne County
Employees' Retirement System, on behalf of the Lender.

                                        Print name: ____________________________
                                        Notary Public, __________ County, ______
                                        My commission expires___________________
                                                               [SEAL]

Exhibits:
      A  -  Uses
      B  -  Sixth Amendment to Mortgage
      C  -  Fourth Amendment to Mortgage
      D  -  Grand Rapids Mortgage
      E  -  Guaranty and Indemnification Agreement
      F  -  Landlord Estoppel Letter

             [SIGNATURE PAGE FOR FIFTH LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT]<Page>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.45
                       BIG BUCK BREWERY & STEAKHOUSE, INC.
                                  P.O. BOX 1430
                          GAYLORD, MICHIGAN 49735-0617

                                February 28, 2002

Wayne County Employees' Retirement System
400 Monroe Street - Ste. 320
Detroit, Michigan  48226

          RE: LETTER AGREEMENT REGARDING ADVANCE FOR PAYMENT OF TAXES

Gentlemen:

         This Letter Agreement is being written to acknowledge that you are
advancing the sum of $500,000.00 to cover unpaid real estate taxes as to the
Michigan properties. We acknowledge and agree that this amount is being advanced
under our current loan documents with you and is fully evidenced and secured by
those loan documents and the collateral securing those loan documents.

         We also agree to repay this amount upon the earlier to occur of (i) the
date of any refinancing obtained by Company and/or with respect to its
properties and/or assets as part of any such financing or (ii) April 1, 2002.
Please indicate your approval by signing below.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   BIG BUCK BREWERY & STEAKHOUSE, INC.

                                   By: /s/ William F. Rolinski
                                       -------------------------------
                                   Its:  President and Chief Executive Officer
                                       -----------------------------------------

Agreed to and accepted by:

Wayne County Employees' Retirement System

By: /s/ Ronald Yee
    --------------------------------------
         Its:  Director
               ---------------------------

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