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  TABLE OF CONTENTS

LOAN AGREEMENT  

 Revolving line of credit in the amount of

$3,000,000.00  

 MADE BY AND BETWEEN  

 STAR BUFFET, INC.,

a Delaware corporation  

 AND  

 M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK,

a banking corporation organized and

existing under the laws of the

State of Wisconsin  

 Dated as of October 28, 2003  

  

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS    
    

 

	 
	 	 

	SECTION 1.	 	RECITALS
	 	

1.1	
 	

Loan
	

SECTION 2.	
 	

DEFINITIONS
	 	

2.1	
 	

Defined Terms
	 	2.2	 	Other Terms
	

SECTION 3.	
 	

LOAN
	 	

3.1	
 	

Loan
	 	3.2	 	Note
	 	3.3	 	Advances
	 	3.4	 	Readvances
	 	3.5	 	Other Disbursements by Lender
	 	3.6	 	Repayment
	 	3.7	 	Termination
	 	3.8	 	Application of Payments
	 	3.9	 	Prior Performance
	 	3.10	 	Right to Advance
	

SECTION 4.	
 	

LOAN FEE
	 	

4.1	
 	

Loan Fee
	 	4.2	 	Commitment Fee
	

SECTION 5.	
 	

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT FOR CLOSING
	 	

5.1	
 	

Documents Required
	 	5.2	 	Loan Fee
	 	5.3	 	Items Required
	 	5.4	 	Representative and Warranties True
	 	5.5	 	No Default
	

SECTION 6.	
 	

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS PRECEDENT FOR each advance
	 	

6.1	
 	

Prior Conditions
	 	6.2	 	Request for Advance
	 	6.3	 	Representatives and Warranties True
	 	6.4	 	No Default
	

SECTION 7.	
 	

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
	 	

7.1	
 	

Recitals True
	 	7.2	 	Organization and Good Standing
	 	7.3	 	Power and Authority
	 	7.4	 	Authorization
	 	7.5	 	No Breach or Default as to Borrower
	 	7.6	 	Enforceable Obligations
	 	7.7	 	No Liens
	 	7.8	 	No Adverse Proceedings
	 	7.9	 	Licenses; Permits; Agreements
	 	7.10	 	Compliance with Laws
	 	7.11	 	No Violation of Environmental Laws
	 	 	 

i

 

	 	7.12	 	Statements Correct
	 	7.13	 	Tax Returns Filed
	 	7.14	 	No Margin Security
	 	7.15	 	ERISA Compliance
	 	7.16	 	Principal Office
	 	7.17	 	Subsidiaries
	 	7.18	 	Affirmation
	 	7.19	 	Survival
	

SECTION 8.	
 	

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
	 	

8.1	
 	

No Change in Documents
	 	8.2	 	Licenses, Permits; Agreements
	 	8.3	 	Maintain Business
	 	8.4	 	Comply With Laws
	 	8.5	 	Management
	 	8.6	 	Maintain Insurance
	 	8.7	 	Loan Payments
	 	8.8	 	Pay Obligations
	 	8.9	 	Statements and Reports
	 	8.10	 	Records
	 	8.11	 	No Margin Security
	 	8.12	 	Further Assurance
	

SECTION 9.	
 	

NEGATIVE COVENANTS
	 	

9.1	
 	

Incur Debt
	 	9.2	 	Negative Pledge
	 	9.3	 	Loans
	 	9.4	 	Investments
	 	9.5	 	Dissolution; Management Change
	 	9.6	 	Fiscal Year
	 	9.7	 	Guarantees
	 	9.8	 	Dividends
	 	9.9	 	Acquisitions
	 	9.10	 	Nature of Business
	 	9.11	 	Capital Expenditures
	 	9.12	 	Salaries
	 	9.13	 	Financial Covenants
	

SECTION 10.	
 	

WAIVER
	 	

10.1	
 	

Notice Waivers
	 	10.2	 	No Waivers By Lender
	

SECTION 11.	
 	

DEFAULT
	 	

11.1	
 	

Events of Default
	 	11.2	 	Remedies
	 	11.3	 	Payment of Costs
	 	11.4	 	Right to Pay and Perform
	 	11.5	 	No Prejudice to Lender
	 	 	 

ii

 

	

SECTION 12.	
 	

ACTION UPON AGREEMENT
	 	

12.1	
 	

No Third Party Beneficiaries
	 	12.2	 	Entire Agreement
	 	12.3	 	Changes in Writing
	 	12.4	 	Separate Entities
	

SECTION 13.	
 	

GENERAL
	 	

13.1	
 	

Agreement to Continue
	 	13.2	 	Lender's Investigations
	 	13.3	 	Rights to Protect Lender
	 	13.4	 	Indemnity
	 	13.5	 	Joint and Several; Context
	 	13.6	 	Time of the Essence
	 	13.7	 	Notices
	 	13.8	 	Costs and Expenses
	 	13.9	 	Choice of Law
	 	13.10	 	Venue
	 	13.11	 	WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY
	 	13.12	 	Successors and Assigns
	 	13.13	 	Headings
	 	13.14	 	Participations
	 	13.15	 	Loan Agreement to Prevail

iii

  

 
 

LOAN AGREEMENT    
    

        BY THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into as of the 28th day of October, 2003, STAR BUFFET, INC., a Delaware corporation, whose address is 420 Lawndale Drive, Salt
Lake City, Utah 84115 (hereinafter severally and collectively called "Borrower"), and M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK, a banking corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, whose address is One East Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85012-1647 (hereinafter called
"Lender"), for and in consideration of the recitals and mutual promises contained herein, confirm and agree as follows: 

 
 

SECTION 1.    RECITALS    
    

 
 
          1.1    Loan.     Borrower has applied to Lender for a revolving line of credit in the amount of THREE MILLION AND
  N0/100THS DOLLARS ($3,000,000.00), upon the terms, conditions and
provisions set forth herein, for the sole purpose of providing working capital for Borrower in the ordinary course of business. 

 
 

SECTION 2.    DEFINITIONS    
    

 
 
           2.1    Defined Terms.     As used herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings specified
   below, unless the context otherwise requires. 

        (a)   Adjusted Tangible Net Worth.    Tangible net worth plus subordinate debt, determined in accordance with GAAP,
plus the amount of any reductions in tangible net worth for non-cash charges required under Financial Accounting Standard 144. 

        (b)   Advance.    An individual disbursement under the Loan: disbursements are collectively called "Advances." 

        (c)   Affiliate.    Any person or entity (i) that directly or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is
under common control with, Borrower; (ii) that directly or indirectly beneficially owns or holds five percent (5%) or more of any class of voting stock of or membership in Borrower;
(iii) five percent (5%) or more of the voting stock of or membership in which entity is directly or indirectly beneficially owned or held by Borrower; (iv) that is an officer, director
or manager of Borrower; (v) of which another Affiliate is an officer, director or manager; or (vi) who is related by blood, adoption, or marriage to another Affiliate. The term "control"
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract, or otherwise. 

        (d)   Business Day.    Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, or other day when commercial banks in
Arizona are authorized or required to close. 

        (e)   Capital Expenditures.    For a period, any expenditures of money during such period for the lease, purchase or
construction of assets that are capitalized on Borrower's balance sheet. 

        (f)    Closing.    The satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent set forth in SECTION 5 hereof and the
consummation of all of the loan transactions contemplated by this Loan Agreement. 

        (g)   Closing Date.    The date, on or before October 31, 2003, on which the Closing occurs. 

        (h)   Commitment.    As defined in Paragraph 3.1 hereof. 

        (i)    Compliance Certificate.    A certification of compliance in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "A." 

1

 

        (j)    CPLTD.    The amount of principal payments on long term debt and the amount of capitalized leases that are to
be paid within one year. 

        (k)   Disbursement Account.    A deposit account opened and maintained with by Borrower with Lender, to be utilized
for the purposes set forth in Paragraph 3.3 hereof 

        (l)    EBITDA.    Pretax earnings from continuing operations plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and
impairment of long-lived assets, computed and calculated in accordance with GAAP on a rolling four (4) quarter basis. 

        (m)  Environmental Law.    Any federal, state or local statute, ordinance, or regulation pertaining to health,
industrial hygiene, or the environment, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601,  et sea.
("CERCLA"); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901,  et sea. ("RCRA"); and the Arizona Environmental Quality Act,
Title 49, Arizona Revised Statutes, and all rules adopted and guidelines promulgated
pursuant to the foregoing. 

        (n)   ERISA.    The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and as in effect from time to time. 

        (o)   Event of Default.    As defined in Paragraph 11.1 hereof 

        (p)   Facility.    Any real property and improvements owned or occupied by Borrower in the conduct of its business. 

        (q)   Fixed Charge Coverage.    The ratio of (a) EBITDA, less cash taxes and Maintenance Capital Expenditures
plus rent expense, to (b) CPLTD, plus interest expense plus rent expense, calculated on a rolling four (4) quarter basis. 

        (r)   GAAP.    Those generally accepted accounting principles and practices that are recognized as such by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants acting through its Accounting Principles Board or by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or through other appropriate boards or committees
thereof and which are consistently applied for all periods after the date thereof so as to properly reflect the financial condition, and the results of operations and changes in the financial
position, of Borrower. 

        (s)   Hazardous Substance:    Includes: 

	(i)
	those
substances included within the definitions of "hazardous substances," "hazardous materials," "toxic substances," or "solid waste" in CERCLA, RCRA, and the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801, et sea., and in the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto;

	(ii)
	those
substances defined as "hazardous substances" in A.R.S. Section 49-201 and in rules adopted or guidelines promulgated pursuant thereto;

	(iii)
	those
substances listed in the United States Department of Transportation Table (49 CFR 172.101 and amendments thereto) or by the Environmental Protection
Agency as hazardous substances (40 CFR Part 302 and amendments thereto); and

	(iv)
	all
other substances, materials and wastes that are, or that become, regulated under, or that are classified as hazardous or toxic under, any Environmental Law. 

        (t)    Indebtedness.    The total outstanding indebtedness owed Lender by Borrower under or in connection with the
Loan, including principal and interest accrued but not previously paid. 

2

 

        (u)   Lien.    Any lien, mortgage, security interest, tax lien, pledge, encumbrance, conditional sale or title
retention arrangement, or any other interest in property designed to secure the payment of any indebtedness or performance of any obligation, whether arising by agreement or under any statute or law,
or otherwise. 

        (v)   Loan Documents.    This Agreement, the Note and all other documents now or hereafter executed or delivered in
connection with the Loan. 

        (w)  Loan.    As defined in Paragraph 3.1 hereof. 

        (x)   Long Term Debt.    Financing that has a maturity of greater than one year. 

        (y)   Maintenance Capital Expenditures.    Expenditures that according to GAAP are to be capitalized and that are
necessary to maintain the operation of the existing Facilities. 

        (z)   Material Adverse Effect.    Any event or condition that either (i) would have a material adverse effect
upon the validity, performance or enforceability of this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents, (ii) is material and adverse to the
properties, financial condition, credit or business operations and prospects of Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iii) would impair the ability of Borrower to fulfill its obligations under this
Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents, or (iv) causes an Event of Default or an event or condition that with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default. 

        (aa) Termination Date.    shall mean October 31, 2004; provided, however, upon the request of Borrower, such
date may be extended in writing by Lender in its sole and absolute discretion. 

        (bb) Note.    As defined in Paragraph 3.2 hereof. 

        (cc) Obligations.    Any and all of the representations, warranties, covenants and other obligations made or
undertaken by Borrower in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents. 

        (dd) PBGC.    The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions
under ERISA. 

        (ee) Permitted Liens.    (1) Liens granted to Lender;
(ii) Liens approved by Lender and listed on Exhibit "B" hereto, (iii) future Liens approved in writing by Lender in its sole discretion; (iv) Liens for taxes, assessments
and other governmental charges that are not past due or delinquent; (v) Liens imposed by law, such as mechanics' liens, arising in the ordinary course of business and that secure payments not
yet due; (vi) Mortgage Liens secured by a Facility where Lender has been notified in writing in advance of such lien being recorded; and (vii) Liens on other assets to the extent that
such Liens secure financing for the acquisition of that asset. 

        (ff)  Plan.    Each pension, profit sharing, stock bonus, thrift, savings, and employee stock ownership plan
established or maintained, or to which contributions have been made, by Borrower or any trade or business which together with Borrower would be treated as a single employer under ERISA. 

        (gg) Release.    Any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting,
escaping, leaching, disposing, or dumping. 

        (hh) SEC.    The United States Security and Exchange Commission. 

        (ii)   Subsidiary.    Any corporation fifty percent (50%) or more of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by
Borrower. 

        (jj)   Total Funded Debt.    All financings, capitalized lease obligations and outstanding letters of credit. 

3

 

        (kk) Total Funded Debt to EBITDA.    The ratio of Total Funded Debt to EBITDA, calculated on a rolling four
(4) quarter basis. 

 
 

           2.2    Other Terms.     All accounting and financial terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement
shall have the meanings accorded them under GAAP. 

 
 

SECTION 3.    LOAN  

 
 
           3.1    Loan.     Subject to the conditions herein set forth, Lender agrees to loan to or for the benefit of
   Borrower, and Borrower agrees to draw upon and borrow, in the manner
and upon the terms and conditions herein expressed, amounts that shall not exceed at any time the Commitment (the "Loan"). The
"Commitment" shall be the principal sum of $3,000,000.00. 

 
 

           3.2    Note.     The Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note of Borrower, executed and delivered
simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, in the amount of the
$3,000,000.00 payable to Lender upon the terms and conditions contained therein (the "Note"). 

 
 

          3.3    Advances.     Lender shall make Advances of the Loan to Borrower, upon satisfaction of the conditions
precedent set forth in SECTION 6 hereof, by crediting funds for the
Advance to the Disbursement Account. 

 
 

           3.4    Readvances.     The Loan shall be a revolving credit, against which Advances may be made to Borrower,
repaid by Borrower and readvances made to Borrower, provided that bender
shall have no obligation to make any Advance that would cause the outstanding principal balance of the Loan to exceed the Commitment. 

 
 

           3.5    Other Disbursements by Lender.     Lender, from time to time in its sole discretion, may make
disbursements in payment of interest accrued and payable upon the Loan and any charges and expenses
that are the obligation of Borrower under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and any charges or matters necessary to cure any Event of Default, all of which shall be added to and be
part of the Indebtedness. 

 
 

          3.6    Repayment.     Borrower, from time to time, may repay the Loan in whole or in part at any time,
without penalty. Borrower shall immediately repay to Lender, from time to time,
an amount equal to any amount by which the outstanding principal balance of the Loan exceeds the Commitment, 

 
 

           3.7    Termination.     Borrower's right to Advances of the Loan shall terminate on the Termination Date,
and the entire outstanding principal balance, all accrued and unpaid interest,
and all other sums payable in connection with the Loan shall be due and payable on that date. 

 
 

           3.8    Application of Payments.     So long as no Event of Default exists, all payments shall be applied
first to the payment of any costs, fees and other charges incurred in connection with the
Loan, next to the payment of any accrued interest and then to the reduction of the principal balance. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, all payments shall be
applied by Lender to the Indebtedness and Obligations in such order and manner as Lender shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion. All payments shall be applied to the Indebtedness and
Obligations only when received in immediately available funds. 

 
 

           3.9    Prior Performance.     Although Lender shall have no obligation to make any Advance unless and until
all of the requirements and conditions precedent set forth herein have been
satisfied, Lender, at its sole discretion, may make any Advance prior to that time without waiving or releasing any of the requirements or conditions precedent of this Agreement; Borrower shall
continue to be strictly obligated to perform, and shall be subject to, all such requirements and conditions notwithstanding any such disbursement. 

4

 

 
 

           3.10    Right to Advance.     Borrower shall have no right to any Advance other than to have the same
disbursed by Lender in accordance with the disbursement provisions contained in this
Agreement. Any assignment or transfer, voluntary or involuntary, of this Agreement or any right hereunder shall not be binding upon or in any way affect Lender without its written consent; Lender may
make any Advance under the provisions hereof, notwithstanding any such assignment or transfer. 

 
 

SECTION 4.    LOAN FEE  

 
 
           4.1    Loan Fee.     Borrower shall pay to Lender, prior to the Closing, a non-refundable loan fee in the amount
   of $10,000.00. If the Termination Date is extended by
Lender as provided herein, Borrower shall pay to Lender, in advance at the time of such extension, an additional loan fee of $10,000.00 per year for the period covered by such extension. 

 
 

           4.2    Commitment Fee.     Borrower shall pay to Lender on the first day of each calendar quarter and on the
Maturity Date, a commitment fee accrued daily at the rate of
one-fourth percent (1/4%) per annum on the average daily amount of the Commitment that was unused during the immediately ending calendar quarter. 

 
 

SECTION 5.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT FOR CLOSING    
    

        The
obligation of Lender to make the Loan, and to make any Advance at Closing, is subject to the following express conditions precedent, all of which shall have been satisfied prior to
Closing: 

 
 

           5.1    Documents Rewired.     Borrower shall have executed (or obtained the execution or issuing of) and
delivered to Lender the following documents, all in form satisfactory to Lender:
 

        (a)   This
Agreement 

        (b)   The
Note 

 
 

           5.2    Loan Fee.     Lender shall have received the loan fee required in Paragraph 5.1 hereof.

 
 

           5.3    Items Required.     Borrower, at it5 expense, shall have obtained and delivered to Lender the
following items, all of which shall be in form and content satisfactory to Lender and
shall be subject to approval in writing by Lender: 

        (a)   A
copy of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Borrower and each Subsidiary, including all amendment thereto, certified by the secretary of Borrower or each
Subsidiary] as appropriate] as being true, complete and correct as of the date of certification. 

        (b)   Certificates
of good standing for Borrower and each Subsidiary issued by the Secretary of State of the state of incorporation of that corporation. 

        (c)   Resolutions
of Borrower approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transaction contemplated thereby, duly
adopted by Borrower's board of directors and accompanied by a certificate of the Secretary of Borrower stating that such resolutions are true and correct and are in full force and effect. 

        (d)   A
signed certificate of the secretary of Borrower which shall certify the names of the officers of Borrower authorized to sign each of the Loan Documents]
together with the true signature of each such officer. 

 
 

           5.4    Representative and Warranties True.     All representations and warranties by Borrower shall remain
true and correct in all material respects and all agreements that Borrower is to have performed or
complied with by the date hereof shall have been performed or complied with. 

 
 

           5.5    No Default.     No Event of Default exists, and no event has occurred and no condition exists that,
after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default. 

5

 

 
 

SECTION 6.    ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS PRECEDENT FOR EACH ADVANCE    
    

        The
obligation of Lender to make the Loan, and each and every Advance of the Loan, shall be subject to the following additional conditions precedent, all of which shall have been
satisfied and remain satisfied at the time of each Advance of the Loan: 

 
 

          6.1    Prior Conditions.     All of the conditions precedent provided in SECTION 5 hereof shall have been
satisfied. 

 
 

           6.2    Request for Advance.     Lender shall have received a written request for the Advance at least one
(1) Business Day prior to the date the Advance is to be made, specifying the date
and amount of the requested Advance. 

 
 

          6.3    Representatives and Warranties True.     All representations and warranties by Borrower shall remain
true and correct in all material respects and all agreements that Borrower is to have performed or
complied with by the date of the requested Advance shall have been performed or complied with. 

 
 

          6.4    No Default.     No Event of Default exists, and no event has occurred and no condition exists that,
after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default. 

 
 

SECTION 7.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    
    

        Borrower
represents and warrants to Lender as follows: 

 
 

          7.1    Recitals True.     The recitals appearing in this Agreement are true and correct. 

 
 

           7.2    Organization and Good Standing.     Borrower and each Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation and is
qualified to do business and is in good standing in each state in which the nature of its business and property makes such qualification necessary or appropriate. 

 
 

           7.3    Power and Authority.     Borrower and each Subsidiary has full power and authority to own its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Borrower has full
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party. 

 
 

          7.4    Authorization.     Borrower is fully authorized and permitted to enter into this Agreement, to execute
any and all documentation required herein, to borrow the amounts contemplated
herein upon the terms set forth herein, and to perform the terms of this Agreement. 

 
 

           7.5    No Breach or Default as to Borrower.     The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party will not conflict with or result in a
default under: (i) any law, rule or regulation applicable to Borrower, (ii) the organizational documents of Borrower, or (iii) the terms, conditions or provisions of any agreement
or instrument under which Borrower is a party or is obligated. 

 
 

           7.6    Enforceable Obligations.     This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is
a party are valid and binding legal obligations of Borrower and each is enforceable in
accordance with its terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application relating to the enforcement of creditors' rights. 

 
 

          7.7    No Liens.     Except for Permitted Liens, all of the properties and assets of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries are free and clear of all Liens and other adverse claims of any
nature, and such corporations have good and marketable title to such properties and assets. 

 
 

           7.8    No Adverse Proceedings.     No actions, suits or proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of
Borrower, threatened against Borrower or any Subsidiary that could result in a Material
Adverse Effect. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any order, writ, injunction or 

6

 

decree,
of any court, governmental department, commission, board, agency or official, which default could result in a Material Adverse Effect. No actions, suits or proceedings are pending or
threatened against Borrower or any Subsidiary other than as set forth in Exhibit "C." 

 
 

           7.9    Licenses; Permits; Agreements.     Borrower and its Subsidiaries have obtained, and there remains in
full force and effect, all licenses, permits, rights, approvals and agreements necessary or
appropriate for the operation of their respective businesses. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under any material agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its
properties is bound. 

 
 

           7.10    Compliance with Laws.     Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all material
laws, rules, regulations, orders and decrees that are applicable to Borrower or any
Subsidiary, or its or their properties. 

 
 

           7.11    No Violation of Environmental Laws.     To the best of their respective knowledge, neither Borrower
nor any Subsidiary, nor any Facility owned by them or any Affiliate thereof, is in violation of any
Environmental Law and neither Borrower or any Subsidiary, nor any Facility owned by them or any Affiliate thereof is subject to any existing, pending or, to the best of their respective knowledge,
threatened investigation by any federal, state or local governmental authority under or in connection with any Environmental Law. Borrower has not obtained as the result of the requirements of any
Environmental Law, and is not required by any Environmental Law to obtain, any permit or license to construct or use any improvements, fixtures or equipment that are a part of, or are located on, any
Facility or to operate any business that is being conducted or intended to be conducted on any Facility. Borrower has not caused or permitted the Release of, or has any knowledge of the Release or
presence of, any Hazardous Substance on any Facility or the migration of any Hazardous Substance from or to any other property adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, any Facility, Borrower's prior and
present use of each Facility has not resulted in, and its future use of each Facility will not result in, the Release of any Hazardous Substance on the Facility. 

 
 

           7.12    Statements Correct.     All financial statements, profit and loss statements, statements as to
ownership and other statements or reports previously or hereafter given to Lender by or on
behalf of Borrower and its Subsidiaries are and shall be true, complete and correct in all material respects as of the date thereof. There has been no change since the latest financial statements of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries given to Lender that could have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no material fact that Borrower has not disclosed to Lender that would have a Material Adverse Effect. 

 
 

           7.13    Tax Returns Filed.     Borrower and its Subsidiaries have properly prepared, executed and filed
(unless an extension of time has been granted by the proper authorities) all federal,
state and local tax returns required by law and has paid all of its respective current obligations before delinquent, including all federal, state and local taxes and all other payments required under
federal, state or local law. 

 
 

          7.14    No Margin Security.     Borrower does not own any "margin security" as that term is defined in
Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System except amounts
thereof that do not and will not in the aggregate constitute a substantial part of Borrower's assets. 

 
 

           7.15    ERISA Compliance.     Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
provisions of ERISA. Neither a "reportable event" as defined in ERISA nor a "prohibited
transaction" as set forth in ERISA or in the Internal Revenue Code has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan. No notice of intent to terminate a Plan has been filed nor has any Plan been
terminated; no circumstances exist that constitute grounds under ERISA entitling PBGC to institute proceedings to terminate, or appoint a trustee to administer, a Plan, nor has the PBGC instituted any
such proceedings. Borrower is not a party to, and has no employees who are covered by, a multi-employer pension or benefit plan. Borrower has met its minimum funding requirements under ERISA with 

7

 

respect
to each Plan and the present value of all vested benefits under each Plan did not exceed the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits, as determined on the most recent
valuation date of ERISA for calculating the potential liability of Borrower to the PBGC or the Plan under ERISA. Borrower has not incurred any liability to the PBGC under ERISA. 

 
 

           7.16    Principal Office.     The principal office of Borrower is at Borrower's address at 420 Lawndale
Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115. Borrower maintains its principal books and
records at that address. 

 
 

          7.17    Subsidiaries.     Borrower does not have any Subsidiaries except those identified on Exhibit "D"
hereto. 

 
 

           7.18    Affirmation.     Each request by Borrower for an Advance shall constitute an affirmation on the part
of Borrower that the representations and warranties contained herein are true
and correct in all material respects as of the time of such request and that the conditions precedent for that Advance have been satisfied. 

 
 

           7.19    Survival.     All representations and warranties made herein shall survive the execution of this
Agreement, all Advances, and the execution and delivery of all other Loan
Documents, so long as Lender has any commitment to lend to Borrower hereunder and until the Indebtedness has been fully paid and all of the Obligations have been fully performed. 

 
 

SECTION 8.    AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS    
    

        Until
the Indebtedness as been fully paid and all of the Obligations have been fully performed: 

 
 

           8.1    No Change in Documents.     Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain its
corporate existence with no material amendments or changes in its organizational
documents without the prior written approval of the Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. 

 
 

           8.2    Licenses, Permits; Agreements.     Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries, to
comply with and maintain in full force and effect all licenses, permits, rights, approvals and
agreements necessary or desirable to conduct its business and to comply with its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. 

 
 

          8.3    Maintain Business.     Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries, to act prudently and
in accordance with customary industry standards in managing and operating its
properties, assets and business. Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries, to keep all of its properties in good condition and repair (subject to ordinary wear and tear) and shall make
all needed and proper repairs and improvements to its properties in order to properly conduct its business. 

 
 

          8.4    Comply With Laws.     Borrower shall comply in all material respects with all applicable laws,
including without limitation, all applicable Environmental Laws. Borrower will not, and
will not permit any third party to, use, generate, manufacture, produce, store, or Release on, under or about any Facility, or transfer to or from any Facility, any Hazardous Substance except in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws. 

 
 

           8.5    Management.     Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries, to at all times hire and
retain executive and management personnel adequate for the proper management,
supervision and conduct of its business, operations and properties. 

 
 

           8.6    Maintain Insurance.     Borrower shall at all times maintain insurance with responsible and reputable
insurers in such amounts and against such risks as may from time to time be required
by Lender, but in all events in such amounts and against such risks, including public liability, property damage and worker's compensation insurance, as is usually carried by companies engaged in
similar business and owning properties in the same general areas in which Borrower operates. Without limiting 

8

 

the
foregoing, Borrower shall obtain, not later than March 31, 2004, and shall thereafter maintain in effect, public liability coverages under a single policy for Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
and covering all Facilities, of not less than $2,000,000.00. 

 
 

           8.7    Loan Payments.     Borrower shall make all payments of interest and principal on the Loan and shall
keep and comply with all terms, conditions and provisions of the Loan Documents.
 

 
 

           8.8    Pay Obligations.     Borrower shall pay all of its current obligations before they become delinquent,
including all federal, state and local taxes, assessments, levies and
governmental charges and all other payments required under any federal, state or local law. 

 
 

           8.9    Statements and Reports.     Borrower shall maintain a standard, modern system of accounting that
reflects the application of GAAP, consistently applied, and shall furnish to Lender the
following: 

        (a)   Promptly
upon becoming available, a copy of Borrower's Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs filed with the SEC and each other regular or
periodic report, registration statement or prospectus filed by Borrower with any securities exchange or the SEC, or any successor entity, and of any order issued by any governmental authority in any
proceeding to which Borrower is a party. 

        (b)   Promptly
upon becoming available, a copy of each financial statement, report, notice or proxy statement sent by Borrower to its stockholders generally. 

        (c)   Within
thirty days after the end of each calendar quarter, a Compliance Certificate. 

        (d)   A
statement of litigation matters involving Borrower and each Subsidiary that could cause a Material Adverse Effect, such statement to be furnished within ten
(10) days after date of service of such litigation or the occurrence of any such change. 

        (e)   Annually,
as filed, a complete copy, including all schedules, of the federal income tax returns for Borrower and its Subsidiaries. 

        (f)    Promptly,
from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as Lender may
reasonably request. 

 
 

           8.10    Records.     Borrower shall maintain, in a safe place, proper and accurate books, ledgers,
correspondence and other records relating to its operations and business affairs.
Lender shall have the right from time to time to examine and audit and to make abstracts from and photocopies of Borrower's books, ledgers, correspondence and other records. 

 
 

          8.11    No Margin Security.     Borrower shall not use any proceeds of the Loan, or any proceeds of any other
or future loan from Lender to Borrower, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry
any "margin security" as that term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or to reduce or retire any indebtedness undertaken for such purposes within
the meaning of said Regulation U, and will not use such proceeds in a manner that would cause Borrower to be in violation of Regulation G, T, or X of such Board, nor use such proceeds
for any purpose not permitted by Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any of the rules or regulations respecting the extensions of credit promulgated thereunder. 

 
 

           8.12    Further Assurance.     Borrower shall execute and deliver such additional documents and do such
other acts as Lender may reasonably require in connection with this Loan. 

9

 

 
 

SECTION 9.    NEGATIVE COVENANTS    
    

        Until
the Indebtedness as been fully paid and all of the Obligations have been fully performed, without receiving the prior written consent of Lender. Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary to: 

 
 

          9.1    Incur Debt.     Become or remain obligated either directly or as a guarantor or surety for any
indebtedness for borrowed money or for any indebtedness incurred in connection with
the acquisition of any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, except: 

        (a)   Indebtedness
to Lender; 

        (b)   Indebtedness
secured by Permitted Liens; 

        (c)   Current
liabilities for taxes and assessments incurred in the ordinary course of business; 

        (d)   Unsecured
trade, utility or non-extraordinary accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of its business; 

        (e)   Other
indebtedness not to exceed $250,000.00 in any fiscal year. 

 
 

          9.2    Negative Pledge.     Create or permit to be created or exist any Lien on any of its property or assets
which it now owns or hereafter acquires except Permitted Liens. 

 
 

           9.3    Loans.     Make any loan, advance, extension of credit, or gift to any person or entity except items
not to exceed $10,000.00 in the aggregate for Borrower and ail
Subsidiaries in any fiscal year. 

 
 

          9.4    Investments.     Make any investment, including any investment in any other entity whether by means of
purchase, loan, capital contribution or otherwise, except current
investments in existing Subsidiaries and temporary cash investments in (i) direct obligations of, or obligations fully guaranteed by, the United States of America or any agency thereof,
(ii) commercial paper rated within the two highest grades by two or more national credit rating agencies and maturing not more than 90 days from the creation thereof, and
(iii) certificates of deposit and banker acceptances having a maturity of one year or less issued by members of the Federal Reserve System having deposits in excess of $100,000,000. 

 
 

          9.5    Dissolution; Management Change.     Dissolve or liquidate, or merge or consolidate with or into any
other entity; sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any substantial part of its
property, assets or business; or, turn over the management or operation of its property, assets or business to any other person, firm or corporation or make any other material change in its management
or operations. 

 
 

          9.6    Fiscal Year.     Change the times of commencement or termination of its fiscal year or other
accounting periods; or change its methods of accounting other than to conform to GAAP. 

 
 

           9.7    Guarantees.     Guarantee, directly or indirectly, or otherwise become contingently liable or
obligated for, any indebtedness or obligation of any other person or entity except
for the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection. 

 
 

          9.8    Dividends.     Purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of its capital stock
or declare or pay any dividend on, or make any other distribution with
respect to, whether by reduction of capital or otherwise, any shares of its capital stock, except, (i) in the case of Borrower, dividends that do not exceed $1,500,000.00 in any fiscal year,
and (ii) in the case of the Subsidiaries, dividends and distributions to Borrower. 

 
 

          9.9    Acquisitions.     Purchase, lease or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any
other person or entity or the capital stock other ownership interest in any
other entity except for Capital Expenditures to acquire additional Facilities within the limitations provided in Paragraph 9.11 below. 

10

 

 
 

           9.10    Nature of Business.     Engage in any line of business materially different from that in which it is
presently engaged, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire assets not related to the
operation of its business. 

 
 

          9.11    Capital Expenditures.     Incur, in any fiscal year, Capital Expenditures in excess of $3,000,000.00
for Borrower and all Subsidiaries. 

 
 

           9.12    Salaries.     Pay excessive or unreasonable salaries, bonuses, commissions or other compensation; or
increase the salary, bonus, commissions or other compensation of any
director, officer, or consultant, or any member of their families, by more than 20% in any one fiscal year, either individually or in the aggregate for all such persons. 

 
 

           9.13    Financial Covenants.     For Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a combined basis, as determined as of
end of each fiscal quarter from the financial statements included in Borrower's Form
10K and Form 10-Qs filed with the SEC, permit: 

        (a)   Adjusted
Tangible Net Worth to be less than $17,000,000.00. 

        (b)   Total
Funded Debt to EBITDA to be greater than 2.25 to 1.0. 

        (c)   The
Fixed Charge Coverage to exceed 1.25 to 1.00. 

All
computations made to determine compliance with the requirements contained in this paragraph shall be made in accordance with GAAP and shall be certified as true and correct by Borrower. 

 
 

SECTION 10.    WAIVER    
    

 
 
           10.1    Notice Waivers.     Borrower waives presentment, demand, protest and notices of protest, nonpayment,
   partial payment and all other notices and formalities except as expressly called
for in this Agreement or in the Note. Borrower consents to and waives notice of: (i) the granting of indulgences or extensions of time of payment, (ii) the taking or releasing of
security, and (iii) the addition or release of persons who may be or become primarily or secondarily liable on or with respect to the Indebtedness or any part thereof, and all in such manner
and at such time as Lender may deem advisable. 

 
 

           10.2    No Waivers By Lender.     No delay or omission by Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy
hereunder, and no indulgence given to Borrower, with respect to any term, condition or
provision set forth herein, shall impair any right, power or remedy of Lender under this Agreement, or be construed as a waiver by Lender of, or acquiescence in, any Event of Default. Likewise, no
such delay, omission or indulgence by Lender shall be construed as a variation or waiver of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement. Any actual waiver by Lender of any Event of
Default shall not be a waiver of any other prior or subsequent Event of Default or of the same Event of Default after notice to Borrower demanding strict performance. 

11

  

 
 

SECTION 11.    DEFAULT    
    

 
 
          11.1    Events of Default.     The occurrence of any of the following events or conditions shall constitute an
  "Event of Default" under this Agreement: 

        (a)   Any
failure to pay any interest or principal or any other part of the Indebtedness when the same becomes due and payable. 

        (b)   Any
failure or neglect to perform or observe any of the terms, provisions, conditions or covenants of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, other than those
referred to in the other provisions of this Paragraph 11.1, and such failure or neglect either (i) cannot be remedied, (ii) can be remedied within fifteen (15) days by
prompt and diligent action, but it continues unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after notice thereof to Borrower, or (iii) can be remedied, although not within fifteen (15)
days even by prompt and diligent action, but such remedy is not commenced within fifteen (15) days after notice thereof to Borrower or is not diligently prosecuted to completion within a total
of thirty (30) days from the date of such notice. 

        (c)   Any
warranty, representation or statement contained in this Agreement, in the Note, in any other Loan Document, or made or furnished to Lender by or on behalf of
Borrower that shall be or shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the time made or furnished. 

        (d)   The
filing by Borrower or any Subsidiary of any proceeding under the federal bankruptcy laws now or hereafter existing or any other similar statute now or hereafter in
effect; or the entry of an order for relief under such laws with respect to Borrower or any Subsidiary. 

        (e)   The
commencement of any proceeding described in subparagraph (d) above against Borrower or any Subsidiary unless dismissal of such proceeding is promptly sought
and diligently prosecuted and such proceeding is in fact dismissed within sixty (60) days from the date of such commencement; the
acquiescence by Borrower or such Subsidiary to such proceedings; or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or conservator for all or any part of the assets of Borrower or any Subsidiary. 

        (f)    The
insolvency of Borrower or any Subsidiary; or the execution by Borrower or any Subsidiary of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or the convening by Borrower
or any Subsidiary of a meeting of its creditors, or any class thereof, for purposes of affecting a moratorium upon or extension or composition of its debts; or the failure of Borrower or any
Subsidiary to pay its debts as they mature; or if Borrower or any Subsidiary is generally not paying its debts as they mature. 

        (g)   The
admission in writing by Borrower or any Subsidiary that it is unable to pay its debts as they mature or that it is generally not paying its debts as they mature. 

        (h)   The
liquidation, termination or dissolution of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. 

        (i)    Any
final judgment for the payment of money in excess of $500,000.00 (other than a judgment covered by insurance where coverage has been acknowledged by the insurer) is
entered against Borrower or any Subsidiary and such judgment is not satisfied or discharged with thirty (30) days after the entry thereof. 

        (j)    The
existence or the filing of any Lien, other than Permitted Liens, in excess of $500,000.00 against any property or assets of Borrower or any Subsidiary that is not
removed, released, bonded or stayed to the satisfaction of Lender within thirty (30) days after its creation. 

        (k)   Any
levy or execution upon, or judicial seizure of, any property of Borrower or any Subsidiary that has a fair market value in excess of $250,000.00. 

12

 

        (l)    The
entry of any judgment, order or decree, or any other type of adverse ruling, against Borrower or any Subsidiary that could have a Material Adverse Effect. 

        (m)  The
abandonment by Borrower or any Subsidiary of all or any material part of its property or assets. 

        (n)   The
loss, theft or destruction of, or any substantial damage to, any material part of the property of Borrower or any Subsidiary that is not adequately covered by
insurance. 

        (o)   The
occurrence of any event or condition, that with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, could result in a material default by Borrower under any other
contract, loan, obligation or agreement of any kind to which Borrower is a party that results in a Material Adverse Effect. 

        (p)   The
issuance of any order or decree enjoining or prohibiting Lender or Borrower from performing under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, which order or
decree is not vacated within fifteen (15) days after the granting thereof. 

        (q)   The
occurrence of any default under any of the other Loan Documents that is not cured within any period for cure set forth therein. 

        (r)   Any
failure or neglect to satisfy any of the financial covenants set forth in Paragraph 9.12 hereof which failure or neglect is not fully remedied and cured by
the end of the next calendar month. 

        (s)   The
occurrence of any event or condition that Lender, in its reasonably judgment, believes results in a Material Adverse Effect. 

 
 

          11.2    Remedies.     Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, and at any time thereafter while such
Event of Default is continuing, Lender may do one or more of the following
[except that in the case of an Event of Default described in subparagraphs 11.1(d) through 11.1(g) above relating to Borrower, acceleration shall be automatic]: 

        (a)   Declare
the entire Loan and the rest of the Indebtedness immediately due and payable, without notice or demand. 

        (b)   Proceed
to protect and enforce its rights under this Agreement, the Note and all other Loan Documents. 

        (c)   Avail
itself of any other relief to which Lender may be legally or equitably entitled. 

 
 

           11.3    Payment of Costs.     Borrower shall pay all costs and expenses including, without limitation, court
costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in enforcing payment of the
Indebtedness and performance of the Obligation or in exercising the rights and remedies of Lender hereunder. In the event of any court proceedings, court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees shall be
set by the court and not by jury and shall be included in any judgment obtained by Lender. 

 
 

           11.4    Right to Pay and Perform.     If Borrower shall fail to pay any amount as required herein or in any
of the other Loan Documents, to satisfy any requirement hereof or of any of the other Loan
Documents, or to perform otherwise as required herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, Lender may advance the moneys necessary to pay the same, to satisfy such requirements or to so perform. 

 
 

           11.5    No Prejudice to Lender.     No failure on the part of Lender to exercise any of its rights hereunder
arising upon any Event of Default shall be construed to prejudice its rights upon the
occurrence of any other or subsequent Event of Default. No delay on the part of Lender in exercising any such rights shall be construed to preclude it from the exercise thereof at any time during the
continuance of that Event of Default. Lender may enforce any one or more remedies or rights 

13

 

hereunder
successively or concurrently. By accepting payment of any of the Indebtedness or performance
of any of the Obligation after its due date, Lender shall not thereby waive the agreement contained herein that time is of the essence, nor shall Lender waive either its right to require prompt
payment when due of the remainder of the Indebtedness or performance when due of the remainder of the Obligation or its right to consider the failure to so pay or perform an Event of Default. 

 
 

SECTION 12.    ACTION UPON AGREEMENT    
    

 
 
           12.1    No Third Party Beneficiaries.     This Agreement is made for the sole protection and benefit of the
   parties hereto and no other person or organization shall have any right of action hereon or be a
third party beneficiary hereof. 

 
 

           12.2    Entire Agreement.     This Agreement, together with the documents and instruments referred to herein,
 embodies the entire Agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter
hereof. There are no representations, promises, warranties, understandings or agreements expressed or implied, oral or otherwise, in relation thereto, except those expressly referred to or set forth
herein. Borrower acknowledges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement is its free and voluntary act and deed, and that said execution and delivery have not been induced by, nor done in
reliance upon, any representations, promises, warranties, understandings or agreements made by Lender, its agents, officers, employees or representatives, other than as set forth herein. 

 
 

           12.3    Changes in Writing.     No promise, representation, warranty or agreement made subsequent to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by either party hereto, and no revocation,
partial or otherwise, or change, amendment or addition to, or alteration or modification of, this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing signed by all parties hereto. 

 
 

          12.4    Separate Entities.     Lender and Borrower have separate and independent rights and obligations under
this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as creating, forming or
constituting any partnership, joint venture, merger or consolidation of Lender and Borrower for any purpose or in any respect. 

 
 

SECTION 13.    GENERAL    
    

 
 
          13.1    Agreement to Continue.     This Agreement, and the representations, warranties, and covenants contained
  herein shall survive the making of the Loan and shall remain in full force and effect
until the Indebtedness as been fully paid and all of the Obligations have been fully performed. 

 
 

           13.2    Lender's Investigations.     Borrower shall be solely responsible for all aspects of Borrower's
business and activities. Any investigation or review by Lender or its counsel shall be solely
for Lender's benefit, including to determine whether Borrower is properly discharging its obligations to Lender, and may not be relied upon by Borrower or any third party. Neither Lender, nor Lender's
counsel, owes any duty of care to Borrower or to any third party to protect against, or to inform Borrower or any third party of, any matters disclosed by any investigation or review by Lender or its
counsel. 

 
 

           13.3    Rights to Protect Lender.     All rights, powers and remedies granted Lender herein, or otherwise
available to Lender, are for the sole benefit and protection of Lender, and Lender may
exercise any such right, power or remedy at its option and in its sole and absolute discretion without any obligation to do so. In addition, if, under the terms hereof, Lender is given two or more
alternative courses of action, Lender may elect any alternative or combination of alternatives, at its option and in its sole and absolute discretion. All monies advanced by Lender under the terms
hereof and all amounts paid, suffered or incurred by Lender in exercising any authority granted herein, including reasonable attorneys' fees, shall bear interest at the highest rate payable on any of
the Indebtedness until paid, and shall be due and payable by Borrower to Lender immediately without demand. 

14

 

 
 

           13.4    Indemnity.     Borrower shall indemnify and hold Lender harmless from and against all claims, costs,
expenses, actions, suits, proceedings, losses, damages and liabilities of
any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out of any matter relating, directly or indirectly, to the Loan, whether resulting from internal
disputes of the Borrower or whether involving other third persons or entities, or out of any other matter whatsoever related to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or any Facility, including but
not limited to (i) any use, generation, manufacture, production, storage, Release, threatened Release, or presence of a Hazardous Substance; (ii) any violation or claim of violation of
any Environmental Law; or (iii) any breach of any of the warranties, representations and covenants contained herein, but excluding any claim or liability which arises as the direct result of
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lender. This indemnity provision shall continue in full force and effect and shall survive not only the making of the Loan but shall also survive the
payment of the Indebtedness and the performance of the Obligations. 

 
 

           13.5    Joint and Several; Context.     If Borrower consists of more than one person or entity their
liability shall be joint and several. The provisions hereof shall apply to the parties according to
the context thereof and without regard to the number or gender of words or expressions used. 

 
 

           13.6    Time of the Essence.     Time is expressly made of the essence of this Agreement. 

 
 

           13.7    Notices.     All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and may be
given in person or by United States mail, by commercial delivery service or
by electronic transmission with verified receipt. Any notice directed to a party to this Agreement shall become effective upon the earliest of the following: (i) actual receipt by that party;
(ii) delivery to the designated address of that party, addressed to that party; or (iii) if given by certified or registered United States mail, the earlier of the date of delivery shown
on the return receipt or twenty-four (24) hours after deposit with the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid, addressed to that party at its designated address. The
designated address of a party shall be the address of the party shown below or such other address within the continental United States as that party, from time to time, may specify by notice to the
other parties: 

	 	Borrower:	 	Star Buffet, Inc.

420 Lawndale Drive

Salt Lake City, Utah 84115

Attention: Robert E. Wheaton

                   President
	

 	

Lender:	
 	

M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank

One East Camelback Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85012-1647

Attention: Gregory C. Recker

                   Senior Vice President
	

 	

with a copy to:	
 	

Quarles & Brady Streich Lang LLP

One Renaissance Square

Two North Central Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Attention: Peter A. Terry, Esq.

 
 

        13.8    Costs and Expenses.     Borrower shall pay all costs and expenses arising from the
preparation of this Agreement, the closing of the Loan and the making of the Advance, including but not
limited to, Lender's attorneys' fees, any other charges that may be imposed on Lender as a result of this transaction. 

15

 

 
 

          13.9    Choice of Law.     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the
State of Arizona. 

 
 

           13.10    Venue.     Lender may bring any action or proceeding to enforce or arising out of this Agreement in
any court of competent jurisdiction. If Lender commences such an action
in a court located in the County of Maricopa, State of Arizona, or the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Borrower hereby agrees that it will submit and does hereby irrevocably
submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and will not attempt to have such action dismissed, abated, or transferred on the ground of forum non
convenience or similar grounds; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prohibit Borrower from seeking, by appropriate motion, to remove any action brought in a
Arizona state court to the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. If such action is so removed, however, Borrower shall not seek to transfer such action to any other district, nor
shall Borrower seek to transfer to any other district any action which Lender originally commences in such federal court. Any action or proceeding brought by Borrower arising out of this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents shall be brought solely in a court of competent jurisdiction located in the County of Maricopa, State of Arizona, or in the United States District Court for the
District of Arizona, Borrower waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to venue of any such action or proceeding and waives any right to seek removal of any action or proceeding
commenced in accordance herewith. 

 
 

           13.11    WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.     BORROWER AND LENDER EACH HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND
INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE
OF ACTION ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT THE TRANSACTION THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER
ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE. THIS WAIVER HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES AND IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THEIR BARGAIN. EITHER PARTY MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS PROVISION
WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES TO THE WAIVER OF ANY RIGHT THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY. 

 
 

           13.12    Successors and Assigns.     Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding
upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their successors and assigns. 

 
 

           13.13    Headings.     The headings or captions of sections and paragraphs in this Agreement are for
convenience and reference only, do not define, control or limit the provisions of
such sections or paragraphs, and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement. 

 
 

           13.14    Participations.     Lender, at any time, shall have the right to sell, assign, or grant
participations in all or any portion of the Loan and in any of the Loan Documents. Lender is
authorized to furnish any purchaser or participant, or prospective purchaser or participant, any documents or information provided to Lender or that Lender may have obtained relating to Borrower or
relating to the Loan. 

 
 

           13.15    Loan Agreement to Prevail.     In the event of any direct conflict between the provisions of this
Agreement and those of the Note or any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement
shall prevail. 

16

 

        IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, these presents are executed as of the date indicated above. 

	 	BORROWER:
	

 	

STAR BUFFET, INC., a Delaware corporation
	

 	

By:	
 	

/s/  ROBERT E. WHEATON      
 Name: Robert E. Wheaton

Title: President
	

 	
LENDER:
	

 	

M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin
	

 	

By:	
 	

/s/  GREGORY C. RECKER      

	 	Name:	 	Gregory C. Recker
	 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President
	

 	

By:	
 	

/s/  WILLIAM D. CRISP      

	 	Name:	 	William D. Crisp
	 	Title:	 	Senior Vice President

17

 

List of Exhibits  

	Exhibit "A"	 	Form of Compliance Certificate
	

Exhibit "B"	
 	

Existing Approved Liens
	

Exhibit "C"	
 	

Pending or Threatened Litigation
	

Exhibit "D"	
 	

Existing Subsidiaries

18

EXHIBIT "A"  

 Form of Compliance Certificate  

 Compliance Certificate

for Period Ending  

 ("Reporting Period")  

	M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank

One East Camelback Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85012-1647

Attention:    Gregory C. Recker, Senior Vice President	 	Date:                             (1)

        Ladies / Gentlemen: 

        This
Compliance Certificate refers to the Loan Agreement dated as of October 28, 2003 (as it may hereafter be amended, modified, extended or restated, the "Loan Agreement"),
between Star Buffet, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), and M&I Marshall & Isley Bank, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement. 

        The
undersigned, hereby certifies that: 

        1.     To
the best of the undersigned's knowledge, after a review of the activities of Borrower during the Reporting Period, Borrower has performed and observed its covenants
and obligations under the Loan Agreement and no Event of Default exists [or if so, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective actions taken or to be taken]. 

        2.     As
of the last day of the Reporting Period, the computations below were true and correct: 

Section
14.6—Financial Covenants: 

	Adjusted Tangible Net Worth	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Total Equity	 	A	 	$	 
	 	Plus: Subordinated Debt	 	B	 	$	 
	 	Plus: Reductions for Non-Cash Charges under FAS 144	 	C	 	$	 
	 	A plus B + C equals	 	A+B+C	 	$	 
	Minimum	 	 	 	$	17,000,000.00
	Compliance	 	 	 	 	Yes o            No o
	Fixed Charge Coverage	 	 	 	$	 
	Numerator:	 	 	 	 	 
	 	EBITDA:	 	 	 	$	 

	(1)
	To
be submitted within one day after Borrower's 10Q or 10K is filed with the SEC (45 days after the end of each quarter, except the fourth quarter, which is 90 days). 
Page 1 

	 	Less: Cash Taxes	 	 	 	($	 	)
	 	Less: Maintenance Capital Expenditures	 	 	 	($	 	)
	 	Plus: Rent Expense	 	 	 	($	 	)
	 	Equals:	 	A	 	$	 	 
	Denominator:	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	CPLTD:	 	 	 	$	 	 
	 	 	Plus: Interest Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Plus: Rent Expense	 	 	 	$	 	 
	 	 	Equals:	 	B	 	 	 	 
	 	 	A divided by B equals	 	A/B	 	$	 	 
	Minimum	 	 	 	 	1.25 to 1.0	 
	Compliance	 	 	 	 	Yes o        No o	 
	
Total Funded Debt to EBITDA	
 	

 	
 	
 	

 	
 
	 	Total Funded Debt	 	A	 	 	 	 
	 	EBITDA	 	B	 	($	 	)
	 	A divided by B equals	 	AJB	 	 	 	 
	Maximum	 	 	 	 	2.25 to 1.0	 
	Compliance	 	 	 	 	Yes o        No o	 

	 	 	STAR BUFFET, INC., a Delaware corporation
	

 	
 	

By	

 
	 	 	 	

	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	 	

	 	 	Title:	 
	 	 	 	

Page
2 

EXHIBIT "B"  

 Approved Liens  

	Lienholder
	 	Asset
	 	Outstanding Amount 8/11/03

	EXISTING LIENS:	 	 	 	 
	 	

Victorium Corporation	
 	

Bldg. & Land—Ocala, Florida	
 	

412,731.46
	 	

M&I Marshall & Isley Bank	
 	

Bldg. & Land—Scottsdale, Arizona	
 	

1,360,808.34
	 	

Naisco Investments(1)	
 	

Bldg. & Land—Layton, Utah	
 	

472,808.80
	 	

First National Bank	
 	

Bldg. & Land—Laramie, Wyoming	
 	

710,738.35
	 	

AmericanExpress	
 	

Equipment—Ice Machines	
 	

18,347.49
	
FUTURE LIENS:	
 	

 	
 	

 
	

Platinum Bank	
 	

Bldg. & Land—Plant City, Florida	
 	

1,800,000.00
	

Bank of Utah(1)	
 	

Bldg. & Land—Layton, Utah	
 	

1,200,000.00

	(1)
	The
future transaction with the Bank of Utah would pay in full the Naisco Investments loan now outstanding in the amount of $472,808.80. 
Page 1 

EXHIBIT "C"  

 Pending Threatened Litigation  

	1.
	Those
matters disclosed in the most recent 10-K filed by Borrower with the SEC 
Page
1 

EXHIBIT "D"  

 Existing Subsidiaries  

	1.
	HTB
Restaurants, Inc.

	2.
	Summit
Family Restaurants, Inc.

	3.
	North
Star Buffet, Inc.

	4.
	Star
Buffet Management, Inc. 
Page
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Exhibit 10.4    
    

 
  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT    
    

        THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of October 1, 2003 (the "Effective Date") by and between Advanstar, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Robert L. Krakoff ("Executive"). 

        WHEREAS,
Executive currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and is currently employed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to the terms of an
employment agreement dated as of August 14, 2000 by and between the Company and Executive (the "Old Employment Agreement"); 

        WHEREAS,
the Old Employment Agreement expires on September 30, 2003; 

        WHEREAS,
the Company wishes to continue to employ Executive and Executive is prepared to continue to serve in those capacities required by the Company; 

        WHEREAS,
the Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement in order to set forth the new terms of such continued employment; 

        WHEREAS,
nothing in this Agreement shall affect Executive's rights and obligations under his Old Employment Agreement with the Company until the Effective Date; 

        NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows: 

        1.    Position and Authority.    From the Effective Date through December 31, 2003, the Company agrees to
continue to employ Executive as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Executive accepts such employment and agrees to serve the Company as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and any of its respective subsidiaries as may from time to time be requested by the Company, for the compensation and benefits detailed in Sections 3 and 4 hereof. It is
understood that from the Effective Date through December 31, 2003, Executive will report to the Board of Directors of the Company and that no other officer, except the successor Chief Executive
Officer, shall regularly so report. From January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005, Executive shall continue to serve the Company as Chairman of the Board of Directors, which position,
in addition to being a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, shall be an executive position. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, Executive shall report to the Board of Directors. During
the Employment Term (as defined in Section 6 of this Agreement), the Company shall nominate Executive, and shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause Executive to be elected,
to the Board of Directors. In his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, (i) Executive shall serve as a member of the Company's Board of Directors and (ii) his
executive duties shall consist exclusively of identifying and executing Acquisition Transactions (as defined in Section 3(c) of this Agreement);  provided, that if the Board of Directors requests
that Executive perform other duties, such as duties in connection with offerings of debt or equity
securities of the Company, and Executive so agrees, Executive's duties shall include such other duties as may have been requested and agreed. Executive shall not be involved in operational management
of the Company. Executive will be assigned a staff of specified employees to assist in development and execution of Acquisition Transactions. Such employees shall report directly to Executive in
respect of the applicable Acquisition Transaction(s), with "dotted-line" reporting to the Chief Executive Officer or his designee. In addition, to the extent reasonably necessary and
customary for the proper investigation and execution of any Acquisition Transaction, the Company will assign operating personnel to assist Executive and his staff with the investigation and execution
of such Acquisition Transaction. 

        2.    Duties.    From the Effective Date through December 31, 2003, Executive shall devote substantially all of
his business time (subject to any unused vacation as of the Effective Date of the four weeks provided for calendar year 2003 under the Old Employment Agreement, or such greater amount as is authorized
by the Board of Directors) to the affairs of the Company, except as may be consented to by the Board of Directors. From January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005, Executive shall devote
sufficient time as is necessary in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company 

 

as
a whole to perform his duties as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (subject to four weeks of vacation annually); provided that, commencing on January 1, 2004 and from time to
time thereafter, Executive shall use his reasonable good faith judgment as to the amount of time necessary to perform his duties and, if at any time the Board of Directors of the Company determines
that such time is not sufficient, the Board of Directors shall notify Executive of its determination of the amount of time necessary for Executive to devote to his duties and shall thereafter notify
Executive of any change in such determination. Notwithstanding the foregoing portions of this Section 2, to the extent that it does not materially interfere with the performance of his duties,
Executive may devote such business time as is reasonably necessary to his duties as a director of business corporations not affiliated with the Company, and Executive may devote business time to any
charitable or not-for-profit activities. During the Employment Term, Executive shall perform such duties and responsibilities as the Board of Directors of the Company may
reasonably determine from time to time, provided that such duties and responsibilities are consistent with (i) for the period from the Effective
Date through December 31, 2003, Executive's position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and (ii) for the period from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005,
Executive's responsibilities as described in Section 1 hereof. Executive will not be required to relocate his permanent residence outside of greater Boston, Massachusetts. 

        3.    Base Compensation and Bonus.    

        (a)    Base Compensation.    Executive will be compensated at a base salary rate of $600,000 per year (or such higher
rate as may be set from time to time by the Board of Directors in its discretion) (the "Base Salary") during the Employment Term. Base compensation will be paid in installments on the same schedule as
the Company's subsidiaries generally pay their employees. All compensation and benefits will be subject to reduction by all federal, state, local and other withholdings and similar taxes and payments
required by applicable law. 

        (b)    Bonus for Fiscal Year 2003.    Executive shall receive bonus compensation based on the relationship between the
Company's actual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and non-cash compensation expense ("EBITDA") for fiscal year 2003 (determined based on the Company's audited
financial statements for fiscal year 2003) and the EBITDA set for such year in the Company "Adjusted Business Plan" (as defined below) as follows: 

	Actual EBITDA

as a Percentage

of Plan
	 	Bonus

(as a Percentage of

Base Salary

	Less than 80%	 	No bonus
	

100%	
 	

50% of Base Salary
	

120% or More	
 	

100% of Base Salary

        If
actual EBITDA as a percentage of the Company's Adjusted Business Plan falls between 80% and 120%, the amount of bonus shall be pro rated on a straight-line basis. In no
case shall bonus payable under this Section 3(b) exceed 100% of Base Salary unless agreed to by the Board of Directors in its absolute discretion. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit
or restrict the Company from paying additional compensation to Executive if the Board of Directors so determines in its absolute discretion. 

        The
"Adjusted Business Plan" shall be the Company's business plan for fiscal year 2003 as approved by the Board of Directors with the consent of Executive, appropriately adjusted for
acquisitions or dispositions during the year as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith. 

        Any
bonus payable under this Section 3(b) shall be paid not later than March 1, 2004. 

2

 

        (c)    Bonus for Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005.    For fiscal years 2004 and 2005, Executive shall receive bonus
compensation based solely on the finally negotiated transaction value (taking into account purchase price adjustments, if any) of "Acquisition Transactions" (as defined below) for the applicable
fiscal year. Such fiscal year 2004 and 2005 bonuses, if any, shall be equal to 0.5% of the aggregate of the annual transaction value of Acquisition Transactions (as defined below) occurring in the
applicable year. 

        For
purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Transactions" shall mean acquisitions of business operations and assets by the Company regardless of the form or dollar amount of any such
acquisition. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such acquisitions may take the form of joint ventures and minority investments, but only to the extent such transactions reflect an
increase in or accretion to the business of the Company. An Acquisition Transaction shall not include the transactions described on Schedule 1 to this Agreement. An Acquisition Transaction shall be
deemed to have "occurred" on the date that an agreement or letter of intent contemplating the transaction is executed by the parties, subject to the condition subsequent that the transaction be
consummated. 

        The
"transaction value" of any Acquisition Transaction shall be determined in accordance with the engagement letter of any investment banking firm retained by the Company in connection
with such Acquisition Transaction or, if the Company shall not have retained any such firm or the terms of such firm's engagement do not include provisions in respect of determination of transaction
value, transaction value shall mean the total fair market value (at the time of any closing) of all consideration (including securities, property, all debt and other indebtedness and obligations
assumed directly or indirectly by the Company in connection with the Acquisition Transaction and any other form of consideration) paid or payable, or otherwise to be distributed, directly or
indirectly, by the Company or the Company's stockholders in connection with the Acquisition Transaction. In referring to the provisions of any such letter or to the definition of transaction value set
forth in the preceding sentence, the requirement that only the portion of a transaction that represents a net acquisition by the Company will constitute the Acquisition Transaction for purposes hereof
shall apply. 

        Any
bonus payable under this Section 3(c) shall be paid not later than the later of (i) 60 days after the applicable fiscal year end and (ii) with respect to
any particular Acquisition Transaction, 60 days after the consummation of such transaction or, if later, the date on which the finally negotiated transaction value of the transaction is
determined; provided, however, that if any portion of the purchase price for such transaction is subject to any holdback, escrow or similar arrangement,
the portion of the bonus allocable to such portion shall be paid only upon and promptly following the release of such funds to the seller, and only to the extent of any such release. If the finally
negotiated transaction value of any Acquisition Transaction is not determined by the later of (i) 60 days after the applicable fiscal year end and (ii) 60 days after the
consummation of such transaction, the following principles shall apply: (a) the Company shall immediately pay Executive a partial bonus based upon that portion of the transaction value which is
not in dispute or held back or subject to escrow and (b) Executive shall be paid additional portions of bonus in respect of such transaction within 10 days after the determination of any
additional portion of the finally negotiated transaction value of such transaction (i.e., upon resolution of any purchase price adjustment dispute, payment of any holdback or escrow amount or payment
of any earn-out or other post-closing payment amount). 

        4.    Benefits.    

        (a)   Executive
will receive the same (or substantially similar) employee benefits to those provided by the Company or its subsidiaries to other members of senior management
from time to time, including, without limitation, medical and dental insurance, disability insurance and life insurance (the latter in an amount of not less than $2,000,000), provided, that regardless
of whether or not paid for other members of senior management, the Company shall pay the entire amount of any premium for 

3

 

life
insurance in an amount of $2,000,000 and disability insurance provided by the Company to Executive under this Agreement. 

        (b)   During
and after the Employment Term, the Company agrees that if Executive is made a party, or compelled to testify or otherwise participate in, any action, suit or
proceeding (a "Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, Executive shall be indemnified by the Company as provided in
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (but not to any lesser extent) as authorized by the Company's certificate of incorporation or bylaws or resolutions of the Company's Board
of Directors against all cost, expense, liability, damage and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by Executive in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to Executive even if
he has ceased to be a director or officer of the Company or a subsidiary for the period of any applicable statute of limitations or, if longer, for the period in which any such Proceeding which
commenced within the period of any such statute of limitations is pending. The Company shall advance to Executive all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a Proceeding
within 20 days after receipt by the Company of a written request for such advance. Such request shall include an itemized list of the costs and expenses and an undertaking by Executive to repay
the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined, in a final judgment for which the time to appeal has expired, that, pursuant to applicable law, he is not entitled to be indemnified
against such costs and expenses. 

        (c)   The
Company will reimburse Executive for his reasonable and customary business expenses, including travel, accommodations and meals. Such reimbursement shall include the
reasonable cost of travel to and from Boston (other than commuting expenses) and accommodations (other than reimbursement with respect to Executive's New York apartment, which reimbursement is
addressed by Section 4(e) below) and meals when outside of Boston. 

        (d)   The
Company shall continue to maintain office space and secretarial assistance for Executive in the Company's existing Boston office, provided that the Company may cause
the relocation of the Company's Marketing Services business, and may reconfigure and/or reduce the size of the office proportionately. 

        (e)   The
Company shall reimburse Executive for a portion of the monthly rent and utilities of Executive's New York apartment located at [address].
Such reimbursement shall be computed based upon the number of nights Executive uses the apartment for Company purposes during such month at a per-diem rate of $400 per night, but not more
than $6,200 per month. 

        5.    Reserved.    

        6.    Term.    This Agreement shall have a term equal to the period from the Effective Date through
December 31, 2005 (the "Employment Term"), provided that Sections 3(c), 4(b), 7(f), 7(g), 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 and 18 shall survive such expiration
in accordance with their respective terms. 

        7.    Termination.    

        (a)   This
Agreement may be terminated by the Company at any time for Cause upon written notice to Executive, which notice shall specify the reason for termination. Such
notice shall be given at any time prior to termination in the case of matters described in clauses (B) or (C) below, and shall be given not less than 30 days prior to the date of
termination, in the case of matters described in clauses (A), (D) or (E) below, and in the case of matters described in clauses (A), (D) or (E) below shall be rescinded if
the Executive cures any misconduct, negligent act, breach or failure giving rise to such notice to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board of Directors, including curing any damage suffered by the
Company as a result thereof. As used herein, "Cause" shall mean (A) willful misconduct or gross negligence by Executive in respect of his material obligations under this Agreement,
(B) conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude, (C) theft of Company property or other disloyal or dishonest conduct of the Executive that materially harms the Company or its
business or (in the case of dishonest 

4

 

conduct)
undermines the confidence of the Board of Directors, (D) willful breach of this Agreement, or (E) willful failure to observe Company policies or carry out the directives of the
Board of Directors. 

        (b)   Executive
may terminate this Agreement for Good Reason by giving thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company. In the case of matters described in clauses
(ii) and (iii) below, such notice shall be rescinded if the Company cures any assignment of duties or withdrawal of authority or breach to the reasonable satisfaction of Executive,
including curing any damage suffered by Executive as a result thereof. "Good Reason" shall exist only if (i) prior to December 31, 2003, Executive is removed as the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, except in connection with termination of this Agreement by the Company for Cause or due to death or Disability (as defined below), (ii) Executive is assigned duties, or
authority is withdrawn from Executive, inconsistent with Executive's authority pursuant to Section 1, without Executive's express written consent, (iii) breach by the Company of any
material obligation of the Company under this Agreement or (iv) DLJ and its affiliates shall cease to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the voting securities of the
Company, and another person or group (as defined in Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act) beneficially owns greater than 50% of such voting securities. 

        (c)   Should
the Executive terminate this Agreement for Good Reason, or should the Company terminate this Agreement without Cause (other than in connection with the expiration
of the Employment Term), then Executive shall be entitled to receive, for a period equal to the lesser of (i) one year from the date of termination of this Agreement and (ii) the balance
of the Employment Term, the Base Salary provided for in Section 3 hereof. In addition, any bonus under Sections 3(b) or (c) will be payable only with respect to that portion of the
fiscal year in which Executive's employment was terminated (or any prior fiscal year for which bonus remains unpaid). A partial bonus for fiscal year 2003 shall be determined by multiplying the bonus
Executive would have received had he continued to work for the Company during the entire fiscal year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year during which
Executive was employed by the Company, and the denominator of which is 365. A partial bonus for fiscal years 2004 or 2005 shall be determined based solely on the transaction value of Acquisition
Transactions occurring, as defined in Section 3(c), prior to the termination of this Agreement. If any such benefits cannot be legally provided, or the provision thereof would disqualify any
plan for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code, a financially equivalent substitute shall be provided. The Company shall have no obligation to Executive under this
Section 7(c) if Executive breaches the provisions of the letter agreement referred to in Section 9. This Section 7(c) shall not apply to a termination under Section 7(d)
below. 

        (d)   This
Agreement shall terminate automatically upon Executive's death. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to Executive, or by Executive
upon written notice to the Company, upon Executive's Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" means the Executive's suffering of a disability which shall have prevented him from
performing his obligations hereunder for a period of at least 120 consecutive days or 180 non-consecutive days in any 365 day period. In the event of termination of this Agreement
due to Executive's death or Disability, in addition to any salary due to Executive as of the date of death or Disability and remaining unpaid, Executive shall be entitled to receive, at such time as
Executive would otherwise would have received such sum, a bonus for the portion of the fiscal year in which Executive's death or Disability occurred during which Executive was employed by the Company.
A partial bonus for fiscal year 2003 shall be determined by multiplying the bonus Executive would have received had he continued to work for the Company during the entire fiscal year by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year during which Executive was employed by the Company, and the denominator of which is 365. A partial bonus for fiscal years 2004 or 2005
shall be determined based solely on the transaction value of Acquisition Transactions occurring, as defined in Section 3(c), prior to Executive's death or Disability. 

5

 

        (e)   If
the Company terminates this Agreement with Cause or if the Executive terminates this Agreement without Good Reason, or if this Agreement is terminated under
clause (d) above, then the Executive shall, from the date of such termination, no longer be entitled to any compensation under Sections 3 or 4 (other than, in the case of termination for
Disability, disability benefits as provided pursuant to Section 4 and, in the case of termination for death or Disability, any bonus payable pursuant to clause (d) above). Nothing in
this clause (e) shall affect (i) Executive's rights under Company health and disability plans in which Executive participates to the extent such plans provide for benefits to be paid
following the termination of employment, or (ii) Executive's rights to payments of bonus amounts pursuant to Section 3(c) based upon any Acquisition Transaction that occurred, as defined
in Section 3(c), prior to the termination of this Agreement. 

        (f)    Termination
of this Agreement shall not discharge any liability (of either the Company or the Executive) arising prior to or existing at the date of termination.
Further, notwithstanding any termination, the provisions of Sections 3(c), 4(b), 7(b), 7(g), 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 and 18 shall survive such termination in accordance with their respective terms. 

        (g)   If
Executive ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason, Executive will resign from the Board of Directors if requested by the Company. 

        8.    Effective Date.    This Agreement shall take effect on and from (but no earlier than) the Effective Date. 

        9.    Non-Competition and Confidentiality.    Executive shall execute and deliver a letter agreement in
the form of Exhibit A hereto. 

        10.    Arbitration.    Any claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement (including disputes regarding the
presence or absence of "Cause" or "Good Reason" in the event of a termination), or otherwise arising out of or relating to the Executive's employment by the Company, will be subject to arbitration in
New York, New York (if brought by Executive) or Boston, Massachusetts (if brought by the Company), in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and the rules of the American Arbitration Association
relating to commercial disputes. The prevailing party in any such arbitration shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such arbitration,
including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel. 

        11.    Severability.    If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be
adjusted rather than voided, to achieve the intent of the parties to the extent possible, and the remainder of the Agreement shall be enforced to the maximum extent possible. 

        12.    Reserved.    

        13.    Governing Law.    This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Massachusetts without regard to principles of
conflicts of law. 

        14.    Notice.    Any notice, or other written communication to be given pursuant to this Agreement for whatever
reason shall be deemed duly given and received (a) if delivered personally, from the date of delivery, or (b) by certified mail, postage pre-paid, return receipt requested,
three (3) days after the date of mailing, addressed to the above parties as follows: 

If
to the Company: 

Advanstar, Inc.

545 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Attn:    Board of Directors 

6

 

with
a copy to each of: 

DLJ
Merchant Banking Partners

11 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10010

Attn:    David M. Wittels 

and

Davis
Polk & Wardwell

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn:    Nancy L. Sanborn 

If
to Executive: 

Robert
L. Krakoff

[address] 

and:

Testa,
Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP

High Street Tower

125 High Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Attn:    F. George Davitt, Esq. 

        15.    Legal Fees.    The Company shall pay all legal fees and expenses which are reasonably incurred by Executive's
legal counsel in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement. 

        16.    Certain Amendments to Executive's October 11, 2000 Option Grant.    Reference is made to Executive's
Award Agreement dated October 11, 2000 (the "2000 Award Agreement") under the Advanstar Holdings Corp. 2000 Management Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). For purposes of this Section 16,
capitalized terms used but otherwise not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the 2000 Award Agreement or the Plan. 

        (a)    Vesting of Performance Vesting Option.    Notwithstanding any provision of the 2000 Award Agreement to the
contrary, the 337,500 Shares that are subject to the Performance Vesting Option under the 2000 Award Agreement and that remain unvested as of the date hereof shall be subject to the following vesting
schedule: 56,250 Shares shall be treated as vested and exercisable effective as of December 31, 2002; an additional 93,750 Shares shall vest and become exercisable on December 31 of each
of 2003, 2004 and 2005 (each such date, a "Performance Vesting Date"), provided that Executive is, on such Performance Vesting Date, and at all times
since the date hereof has been, in the employment or service of the Company under this Agreement. 

        (b)    Acceleration of Performance Vesting Option in Connection with a Change of Control.    Upon a Change of Control,
the Performance Vesting Option under the 2000 Award Agreement (in addition to the Time Vesting Option) shall vest in its entirety and become immediately exercisable. 

        (c)    Effect of Termination of Employment.    Notwithstanding any provision of the 2000 Award Agreement to the
contrary, if Executive ceases to be employed by, or in the service of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries, by reason of Executive's termination for Good Reason or other than by reason of death or
disability, voluntary resignation or termination for Cause, no further installments of the Options shall vest and such Options shall expire and may no longer be exercised (to the extent exercisable on
the last day of employment or service) after the passage of two years, but in no case later than December 31, 2007. 

7

 

        (d)    Option Protection.    If the Company "Reprices" (as defined below) 1,200,000 (the "Repricing Threshold") or
more of the Options that were granted to Participants at an Exercise Price of $10.00 per Share (the "$10.00 Options") under the Plan and which were outstanding as of the date hereof, the Company shall
similarly Reprice the Applicable Portion (as defined below) of Executive's Options under the 2000 Award Agreement (to the extent outstanding), whether or not then vested,  provided that (i)
 Executive shall not be entitled to any such Repricing unless the Company Reprices in the aggregate 1,200,000 or more $10.00
Options on or prior to December 31, 2005 and (ii) Options granted to new employees under the Plan and the grant of any Options authorized for grant (but not granted) as of the date
hereof, shall not in any event constitute a Repricing or any step or portion thereof. In the event Executive becomes entitled to such Repricing, such modification or adjustment of his Options under
the 2000 Award Agreement shall be made irrespective of Executive's employment status with the Company at the time of becoming so entitled, so long as Executive continues to hold any of such Options. 

        For
purposes of this Section 16(d): 

        "Repricing"
shall mean any repricing, exchange offer, other amendment or modification or grant of additional Options that has the effect of reducing the Exercise Price of Options held by
Company employees to a price less than $10.00 per Share; and 

        "Applicable
Portion" shall mean a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the number of $10.00 Options Repriced for all Employees other than Executive in excess of 1,200,000, and
(ii) the denominator of which is 1,143,750, provided that such fraction shall not exceed 1. 

        (e)    Effect of Amendments to 2000 Award Agreement.    Except as amended by this Section 16, all of the
provisions of the 2000 Award Agreement and the Plan shall remain in full force and effect without modification or waiver. 

        17.    Company Repurchase of Shares in Connection With Executive's Promissory Note.    Reference is made to that
certain Promissory Note and Pledge from Executive to Advanstar Holdings Corp. dated October 11, 2000 (the "Note"). For purposes of this Section 17, capitalized terms used but otherwise
not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Note. 

        Advanstar
Holdings Corp. shall, if Executive elects within 10 days after the date hereof, repurchase Pledged Shares at $10.00 per Share in an amount sufficient to enable Executive
to repay $3,000,000 of the then outstanding principal balance of the Note to the date of such repurchase, plus all accrued interest on the outstanding balance of the Note to the date of such
repurchase. If Executive elects to exercise his right under this Section 17, Executive shall deliver written notice (a "Sale Notice") to Advanstar Holdings Corp. to such effect. For purposes of
this Section 17, the "date of repurchase" shall mean the fifth business day following the receipt of a Sale Notice from Executive. 

        18.    Effect of Effectiveness of this Agreement and Expiration Thereof.    Neither the expiration of the Old
Employment Agreement and the effectiveness of this Agreement, nor the termination of Executive's position as Chief Executive Officer in accordance with Section 1 of this Agreement, nor the
expiration of this Agreement in accordance with its terms on December 31, 2005 shall be treated as a termination of Executive's employment of any kind, including as a "Qualified Retirement",
for purposes of the "Put Right" and "Call Right" provisions with respect to (i) Executive's Options granted under the Plan, (ii) Executive's Shares and Rollover Shares purchased under
the Advanstar Holdings Corp. Investment Program (the "Investment Program") or (iii) the Shareholders' Agreement dated as of October 11, 2000 among Advanstar Holding Corp. and the
Shareholders Parties thereto, as amended from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the expiration of this Agreement on December 31, 2005 is substantially contemporaneous with a
termination without Cause by the Company of Executive's employment and service as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, Executive shall be entitled to the post-termination
option exercise period provided under Section 16(c) of this Agreement. 

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        19.    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement (together with the letter in the form of Exhibit A hereto)
constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the terms and conditions of the employment of Executive by the Company, and as of the Effective Date supersedes all
prior or concurrent arrangements, discussions, agreements or understandings with respect to the Executive's employment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive agrees that the
execution and delivery of this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of any amounts or payments, if any, to which he may have been entitled under the Old Employment Agreement, which shall
henceforward be of no further force or effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as amended by this Agreement, all of the provisions of the Plan and Executive's award agreements thereunder, the
Investment Program and Executive's purchase agreements thereunder, the Note and any other equity award agreement between Executive and the Company shall remain in full force and effect without
modification or waiver. 

[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 

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

	 	 	ADVANSTAR, INC.
	

 	
 	
By:	

/s/  DAVID WITTELS      
 Name:    David Wittels

Title:    Director
	

 	
 	

 	

/s/  ROBERT L. KRAKOFF      
 Robert L. Krakoff

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QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.4

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

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