Document:

Exhibit 10.2

                         SEVERANCE PROTECTION AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT entered into as of the 28th day of January 2005 and
effective as of March 16, 2005 (the "Effective Date"), by and between NMS
Communications Corporation (the "Company") and D'Anne Hurd (the "Executive").

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") recognizes
that the possibility of a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) exists and
that the threat or the occurrence of a Change in Control can result in
significant distraction of the Company's key management personnel because of the
uncertainties inherent in such a situation;

     WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is essential and in the best
interest of the Company and its stockholders for the Company to retain the
services of the Executive in the event of a threat or occurrence of a Change in
Control and to ensure the Executive's continued dedication and efforts in such
event without undue concern for the Executive's personal financial and
employment security;

     WHEREAS, The Board by unanimous resolution at a meeting held on December
19, 1997, adopted a Change of Control plan to encourage such retention; and

     WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the
Company, particularly in the event of a threat or the occurrence of a Change in
Control, the Company desires to enter into this Agreement with the Executive to
provide the Executive with certain benefits in the event the Executive's
employment is terminated as a result of, or in connection with, a Change in
Control and to provide the Executive with the Gross-Up Payment (as hereinafter
defined).

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of the
parties contained herein, it is agreed as follows:

     1. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence as of the Effective
Date, and shall continue in effect until December 31, 2005 (the "Term");
provided, however, that on December 31, 2005, and on each December 31
thereafter, the Term shall automatically be extended for one (1) year unless
either the Executive or the Company shall have given written notice to the other
at least sixty (60) days prior thereto that the Term shall not be so extended;
provided, further, however, that following the occurrence of a Change in
Control, the Term shall not expire prior to the expiration of eighteen (18)
months after such occurrence.

     2. Termination of Employment. If, during the Term, the Executive's
employment with the Company and with any Affiliates shall be terminated within
eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, the Executive shall be
entitled to the following compensation and benefits:

     (a) If the Executive's employment with the Company [and with any Affiliate]
shall be terminated (1) by the Company for Cause or Disability, (2) by reason of
the Executive's death, or (3) by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the
Company shall pay to the Executive his Accrued Compensation. The Executive's
entitlement to any other compensation or benefits shall be determined in
accordance with the Company's employee benefits plans and other applicable
programs and practices then in effect.
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     (b) If the Executive's employment with the Company [and with any Affiliate]
shall be terminated for any reason other than as specified in Section 2(a), the
Executive shall be entitled to the following:

     (1) the Company shall pay the Executive all Accrued Compensation;

     (2) the Company shall pay the Executive as severance pay and in lieu of any
further compensation for periods subsequent to the Termination Date, an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the Executive's Base Amount and (ii) the Executive's
Bonus Amount.

     (3) for twelve (12) months after the Termination Date, the Company shall at
its expense continue on behalf of the Executive and his dependents and
beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and
hospitalization coverages and benefits provided to the Executive immediately
prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the coverages and benefits
provided at any time thereafter. The coverages and benefits (including
deductibles and costs) provided in this Section 2(b)(3) during the Continuation
Period shall be no less favorable to the Executive and his dependents and
beneficiaries, than the most favorable of such coverages and benefits referred
to above. The Company's obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing
coverages and benefits shall be reduced to the extent that the Executive obtains
any such coverages and benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer's benefit
plans, in which case the Company may reduce any of the coverages or benefits it
is required to provide the Executive hereunder so long as the aggregate
coverages and benefits of the combined benefit plans is no less favorable to the
Executive than the coverages and benefits required to be provided hereunder.
This Section 2(b)(3) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to
which the Executive, his dependents or beneficiaries may be entitled under any
of the Company's employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the
Executive's termination of employment, including without limitation, retiree
medical and life insurance benefits;

     (c) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without
Cause prior to the date of a Change in Control but the Executive reasonably
demonstrates that such termination (A) was at the request of a third party who
has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a
Change in Control (a "Third Party") and who effectuates a Change in Control or
(B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in
Control which has been threatened or proposed and which actually occurs, such
termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a Change in Control, provided
a Change in Control shall actually have occurred.

     (d) (1) Gross-Up Payment. In the event it shall be determined that any
payment (other than the payment provided for in this Section 2(d)) or
distribution of any type to or for the benefit of the Executive, by the Company,
any Affiliate, any Person (as defined in Section 14.6(a) hereof) who acquires
ownership or effective control of the Company or ownership of a substantial
portion of the Company's assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations
thereunder) or any affiliate of such Person, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (the "Total Payments"), is or will be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income tax,
employment tax or Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon
the Total Payments.

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     (2) Determination By Accountant. All mathematical determinations, and all
determinations as to whether any of the Total Payments are "parachute payments"
(within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), that are required to be made
under this Section 2(d), including determinations as to whether a Gross-Up
Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and amounts relevant to
the last sentence of this Section 2(d)(2), shall be made by an independent
accounting firm selected by the Executive from among the six (6) largest
accounting firms in the United States (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall
provide its determination (the "Determination"), together with detailed
supporting calculations regarding the amount of any Gross-Up Payment and any
other relevant matter, both to the Company and the Executive by no later than
ten (10) days following the Termination Date, if applicable, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company or the Executive (if the Executive
reasonably believes that any of the Total Payments may be subject to the Excise
Tax). If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the
Executive, it shall furnish the Executive and the Company with a written
statement that such Accounting Firm has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable
(including the reasons therefor) and that the Executive has substantial
authority not to report any Excise Tax on his federal income tax return. If a
Gross-Up Payment is determined to be payable, it shall be paid to the Executive
within twenty (20) days after the Determination (and all accompanying
calculations and other material supporting the Determination) is delivered to
the Company by the Accounting Firm. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive, absent manifest error. As a
result of uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time
of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible
that Gross-Up Payments not made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), or that Gross-Up Payments will have been made by the Company
which should not have been made ("Overpayments"). In either such event, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment or Overpayment
that has occurred. In the case of an Underpayment, the amount of such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive. In the case of an Overpayment, the Executive shall, at the direction
and expense of the Company, take such steps as are reasonably necessary
(including the filing of returns and claims for refund), follow reasonable
instructions from, and procedures established by, the Company, and otherwise
reasonably cooperate with the Company to correct such Overpayment, provided,
however, that (i) the Executive shall not in any event be obligated to return to
the Company an amount greater than the net after-tax portion of the Overpayment
that he has retained or has recovered as a refund from the applicable taxing
authorities and (ii) this provision shall be interpreted in a manner consistent
with the intent of Section 2(d)(1), which is to make the Executive whole, on an
after-tax basis, from the application of the Excise Tax, it being understood
that the correction of an Overpayment may result in the Executive repaying to
the Company an amount which is less than the Overpayment. The amounts provided
for in Sections 2(a) and 2(b)(1) and (2) shall be paid in a single lump sum cash
payment within thirty (30) days after the Executive's Termination Date (or
earlier, if required by applicable law).

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     (e) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise
and no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation
or benefits provided to the Executive in any subsequent employment except as
provided in Section 2(b)(3).

     (f) The severance pay and benefits provided for in this Section 2 shall be
in lieu of any other severance pay to which the Executive may be entitled under
the Company's Severance Procedure or any other plan, agreement or arrangement of
the Company or any Affiliate.

     3. Notice of Termination. Following a Change in Control, any intended
termination of the Executive's employment by the Company shall be communicated
by a Notice of Termination from the Company to the Executive, and any intended
termination of the Executive's employment by the Executive for Good Reason shall
be communicated by a Notice of Termination from the Executive to the Company.

     4. Fees and Expenses. The Company shall pay all legal fees and related
expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel) incurred by the
Executive as they become due as a result of (a) the termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company or by the Executive for Good Reason
(including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting, defending
or disputing the basis for any such termination of employment), (b) the
Executive's hearing before the Board as contemplated in Section 14.5 of this
Agreement or (c) the Executive seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit
provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the
Company under which the Executive is or may be entitled to receive benefits.

     5. Transfer of Employment. Notwithstanding any other provision herein to
the contrary, the Company shall cease to have any further obligation or
liability to the Executive under this Agreement if (a) the Executive's
employment with the Company terminates as a result of the transfer of his
employment to any Affiliate, (b) this Agreement is assigned to such other
Affiliate, and (c) such other Affiliate expressly assumes and agrees to perform
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would
be required to perform it if no assignment had taken place. Any Affiliate to
which this Agreement is so assigned shall be treated as the "Company" for all
purposes of this Agreement on or after the date as of which such assignment to
the Affiliate, and the Affiliate's assumption and agreement to so perform this
Agreement, becomes effective.

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     6. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement (including any Notice of
Termination) shall be in writing, shall be signed by the Executive if to the
Company or by a duly authorized officer of the Company if to the Executive, and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses last given by each party to the other, provided that all
notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Board with a
copy to the Secretary of the Company. All notices and communications shall be
deemed to have been received on the date of delivery thereof or on the third
business day after the mailing thereof, except that notice of change of address
shall be effective only upon receipt.

     7. Nature of Rights. The Executive shall have the status of a mere
unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to his right to receive any
payment under this Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute a mere promise by
the Company to make payments in the future of the benefits provided for herein.
It is the intention of the parties hereto that the arrangements reflected in
this Agreement shall be treated as unfunded for tax purposes and, if it should
be determined that Title I of ERISA is applicable to this Agreement, for
purposes of Title I of ERISA. Except as provided in Section 2(g), nothing in
this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future
participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided
by the Company or any Affiliate and for which the Executive may qualify, nor
shall anything herein limit or reduce such rights as the Executive may have
under any other agreements with the Company or any Affiliate. Amounts which are
vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under
any plan or program of the Company or any Affiliate shall be payable in
accordance with such plan or program, except as explicitly modified by this
Agreement.

     8. Settlement of Claims. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, defense, recoupment, or other right which
the Company may have against the Executive or others.

     9. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or
discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing
and signed by the Executive and the Company. No waiver by any party hereto at
any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreement or representations,
oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof
have been made by any party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

     10. Successors; Binding Agreement.

     (a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the Company and its Successors and Assigns. The Company shall require its
Successors and Assigns to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement
in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place.

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     (b) Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall be
assignable or transferable by the Executive, his beneficiaries or legal
representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal personal representative.

     11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Any action
brought by any party to this Agreement shall be brought and maintained in a
court of competent jurisdiction in Middlesex or Suffolk Counties in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     12. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

     13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements, if any,
understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto,
with respect to the subject matter hereof.

     14. Definitions.

     14.1. Accrued Compensation. For purposes of this Agreement, "Accrued
Compensation" shall mean all amounts of compensation for services rendered to
the Company [or any other Affiliate] that have been earned or accrued through
the Termination Date but that have not been paid as of the Termination Date
including (a) base salary, (b) reimbursement for reasonable and necessary
business expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company during the
period ending on the Termination Date, (c) vacation pay and (d) bonuses and
incentive compensation; provided, however, that Accrued Compensation shall not
include any amounts described in clause (a) or clause (d) that have been
deferred pursuant to any salary reduction or deferred compensation elections
made by the Executive.

     14.2. Affiliate. For purposes of this Agreement, "Affiliate" means any
entity, directly or indirectly, controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company or any corporation or other entity acquiring, directly
or indirectly, all or substantially all the assets and business of the Company,
whether by operation of law or otherwise.

     14.3. Base Amount. For purposes of this Agreement, "Base Amount" shall mean
the Executive's annual base salary at the rate in effect as of the date of a
Change in Control or, if greater, at any time thereafter, determined without
regard to any salary reduction or deferred compensation elections made by the
Executive.

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     14.4. Bonus Amount. For purposes of this Agreement, "Bonus Amount" shall
mean the greater of (a) the target annual bonus payable to the Executive under
the Incentive Plan in respect of the fiscal year during which the Termination
Date occurs or (b) the highest annual bonus paid or payable under the Incentive
Plan in respect of any of the three full fiscal years ended prior to the
Termination Date or, if greater, the three (3) full fiscal years ended prior to
the Change in Control.

     14.5. Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, a termination of employment is
for "Cause" if the Executive has been convicted of a felony or the termination
is evidenced by a resolution adopted in good faith by two-thirds of the Board
that the Executive:

     (a) intentionally and continually failed substantially to perform his
reasonably assigned duties with the Company (other than a failure resulting from
the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness or from the
assignment to the Executive of duties that would constitute Good Reason) which
failure continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days after a written
notice of demand for substantial performance, signed by a duly authorized
officer of the Company, has been delivered to the Executive specifying the
manner in which the Executive has failed substantially to perform, or

     (b) intentionally engaged in conduct which is demonstrably and materially
injurious to the Company; provided, however, that no termination of the
Executive's employment shall be for Cause as set forth in this Section 14.5(b)
until (1) there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a written
notice, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, setting forth that
the Executive was guilty of the conduct set forth in this Section 14.5(b) and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (2) the Executive shall have
been provided an opportunity to be heard in person by the Board (with the
assistance of the Executive's counsel if the Executive so desires).

     No act, nor failure to act, on the Executive's part, shall be considered
"intentional" unless the Executive has acted, or failed to act, with a lack of
good faith and with a lack of reasonable belief that the Executive's action or
failure to act was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by the
Executive after a Notice of Termination is given to the Company by the Executive
shall constitute Cause for purposes of this Agreement.

     14.6. Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence
during the term of the Agreement of:

     (a) the direct or indirect acquisition by any person, entity or group
acting in concert of more than 35% of the aggregate voting power of the
outstanding securities of the Company having the right to vote at elections of
directors;

     (b) a majority of the board of directors of the Company ceasing to consist
of individuals who are members of such board on December 19, 1997 (the
"Incumbent Board"); provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for
election by the Company's shareholders, of any new director was approved by a
vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for
purposes of this definition, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;

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     (c) the disposition by the Company of substantially all its business, other
than in connection with a mere change of place of incorporation or similar mere
change in form; or

     (d) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

provided, however, in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred,
voting securities which are acquired in a Non-Control Acquisition (as
hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a
Change in Control. A "Non-Control Acquisition" shall mean an acquisition by (i)
a Company employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained
(A) by the Company or (B) by any corporation or other entity of which a majority
of its voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (a
"Subsidiary") or (ii) the Company or its Subsidiaries.

     14.7. Company. For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the
Company shall include its Successors and Assigns.

     14.8. Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean a
physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Executive's ability to
substantially perform his duties with the Company for six (6) consecutive
months, and within the time period set forth in a Notice of Termination given to
the Executive (which time period shall not be less than thirty (30) days), the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of his duties;
provided, however, that if the Company's long term disability plan, or any
successor plan (the "Disability Plan"), is then in effect, the Executive shall
not be deemed disabled for purposes of this Agreement unless the Executive is
also eligible for "Total Disability" (as defined in the Disability Plan)
benefits (or similar benefits in the event of a successor plan) under the
Disability Plan.

     14.9. Good Reason. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean the occurrence after a Change in Control of any of the following events or
conditions:

     (1) an election by the Executive, in his or her sole discretion, to
terminate employment, as evidenced by notice to the Company given within four
(4) months after a Change of Control, such termination to be effective within
such four month period; provided that Executive has continued as an employee of
the Company [or any Affiliate] for at least sixty (60) days after a Change of
Control;

     (2) a change in the Executive's status, title, position or responsibilities
(including reporting responsibilities) which, in the Executive's reasonable
judgment, represents an adverse change from his status, title, position or
responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to the
Executive of any duties or responsibilities which, in the Executive's reasonable
judgment, are inconsistent with his status, title, position or responsibilities;
or any removal of the Executive from or failure to reappoint or reelect him to
any of such offices or positions, except in connection with the termination of
his employment for Disability, Cause, as a result of his death or by the
Executive other than for Good Reason;

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     (3) a reduction in the Executive's annual base salary below the Base
Amount;

     (4) the relocation of the offices of the Company at which the Executive is
principally employed to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from the
location of such offices immediately prior to the Change in Control, or the
Company's requiring the Executive to be based anywhere other than such offices,
except to the extent the Executive was not previously assigned to a principal
location and except for required travel on the Company's business to an extent
substantially consistent with the Executive's business travel obligations at the
time of the Change in Control;

     (5) the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any portion of the
Executive's current compensation or to pay to the Executive any portion of an
installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of
the Company in which the Executive participated, within seven (7) days of the
date such compensation is due;

     (6) the failure by the Company to (A) continue in effect (without reduction
in benefit level, and/or reward opportunities) any material compensation or
employee benefit plan in which the Executive was participating immediately prior
to the Change in Control, unless a substitute or replacement plan has been
implemented which provides substantially identical compensation or benefits to
the Executive or (B) provide the Executive with compensation and benefits, in
the aggregate, at least equal (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward
opportunities) to those provided for under each other compensation or employee
benefit plan, program and practice in which the Executive was participating
immediately prior to the Change in Control;

     (7) the failure of the Company to obtain from its Successors or Assigns the
express assumption and agreement required under Section 10 hereof; or

     (8) any purported termination of the Executive's employment by the Company
which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the terms
set forth in the definition of Notice of Termination (and, if applicable, the
terms set forth in the definition of Cause).

     (b) Any event or condition described in Section 14.9(a)(2) through (8)
which occurs [(1) within three (3) months prior to a Change in Control or (2)]
prior to a Change in Control but which the Executive reasonably demonstrates (A)
was at the request of a Third Party or (B) otherwise arose in connection with,
or in anticipation of a Change in Control which has been threatened or proposed
and which actually occurs, shall constitute Good Reason for purposes of this
Agreement notwithstanding that it occurred prior to a Change in Control.

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     14.10. Incentive Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, "Incentive Plan"
shall mean the annual executive incentive plan, maintained by the Company [or
any other Affiliate].

     14.11. Notice of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, following a
Change in Control, "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice of
termination of the Executive's employment, signed by the Executive if to the
Company or by a duly authorized officer of the Company if to the Executive,
which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement, if any,
relied upon and which sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated.

     14.12. Successors and Assigns. For purposes of this Agreement, "Successors
and Assigns" shall mean, with respect to the Company, a corporation or other
entity acquiring all or substantially all the assets and business of the
Company, as the case may be (including this Agreement), whether by operation of
law or otherwise.

     14.13. Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement, "Termination Date"
shall mean (a) in the case of the Executive's death, his date of death, (b) if
the Executive's employment is terminated for Disability, thirty (30) days after
Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have
returned to the performance of his duties on a full-time basis during such
thirty (30) day period) and (c) if the Executive's employment is terminated for
any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in the
case of a termination for Cause shall not be less than thirty (30) days, and in
the case of a termination for Good Reason shall not be more than sixty (60)
days, from the date such Notice of Termination is given); provided, however,
that if within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given the
party receiving such Notice of Termination in good faith notifies the other
party that a dispute exists concerning the basis for the termination, the
Termination Date shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined,
either by mutual written agreement of the parties, or by the final judgment,
order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time for appeal
therefrom having expired and no appeal having been taken). Notwithstanding the
pendency of any such dispute, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive
his Base Amount and continue the Executive as a participant in all compensation,
incentive, bonus, pension, profit sharing, medical, hospitalization, dental,
life insurance and disability benefit plans in which he was participating when
the notice giving rise to the dispute was given, until the dispute is finally
resolved in accordance with this Section whether or not the dispute is resolved
in favor of the Company, and the Executive shall not be obligated to repay to
the Company any amounts paid or benefits provided pursuant to this sentence.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by
its duly authorized officers and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

                                      NMS Communications Corporation

                                         By:   /s/ Robert P. Schechter
                                               ----------------------------
ATTEST:                                         Robert P. Schechter
/s/ Dianne Callan                               Chairman, President and CEO
--------------------------------
Dianne Callan, Secretary

                                               /s/ D'Anne Hurd
                                               ----------------------
                                               D'Anne Hurd

                                       11Exhibit 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 15th day of December, 2003,
by and between RARE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), and BENJAMIN WAITES, a resident of
the State of Georgia (hereinafter referred to as the "Executive");

                                   WITNESSETH:

     The Company, its parent and subsidiaries (collectively, "RARE" and
individually, a "RARE Entity") are engaged in the business of owning, operating
and franchising the operation of restaurants under the names LongHorn
Steakhouse(R), The Capital Grille(R), Bugaboo Creek Steak House(R) and others.
Executive currently serves in the position of Vice President of Finance for the
Company, and the Executive desires to be assured of this position on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Company desires to continue to
employ the Executive on such terms and conditions.

     In the course of Executive's employment, Executive has gained and will gain
knowledge of the business, affairs, customers, franchisees, plans and methods of
RARE, has been and will be trained at the expense of RARE in the development,
opening, operation and management of RARE's restaurants through the use of
techniques, systems, practices and methods used and devised by RARE, has had and
will have access to information relating to RARE's customers and their
preferences and dining habits and has and will become personally known to and
acquainted with RARE's suppliers and managers in the Restricted Area (as defined
in this Agreement) thereby establishing a personal relationship with such
suppliers and managers for the benefit of RARE.

     The Company would suffer irreparable harm if Executive were to use such
knowledge, information and personal relationships related to RARE and its
business that are obtained and developed in the course of Executive's employment
with the Company, other than in the proper performance of his duties for the
Company.

     In consideration of the sum of $1.00 in hand paid by the Company to
Executive, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and the
mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, the Company and Executive
hereby agree as follows:

     1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive,
and Executive hereby accepts such continued employment and agrees to perform his
duties and responsibilities hereunder, in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.

     1.1. Employment Term. The employment term of this Agreement shall commence
on the date hereof (the "Commencement Date") and shall continue as employment at
will until terminated by the Company or Executive for any reason. The period
from the Commencement Date until the employment term is terminated by the
Company or Executive is hereinafter referred to as the "Employment Term."
<PAGE>

     1.2 Duties of Executive. Executive agrees that during the Employment Term,
he will devote his full professional and business-related time, skills and best
efforts to the business of RARE, initially in the capacity of Vice President of
Finance for the Company, and subsequently in such capacity or capacities as
shall be determined by the Company. In addition, Executive shall devote his full
time and his best efforts to the performance of any other reasonable duties as
may be assigned to him from time to time by the Company, and he shall abide by
the employment and other corporate policies of the Company established from time
to time. Executive shall devote all of his full professional and
business-related skills solely to the affairs of RARE, and shall not, during his
employment, unless otherwise agreed to in advance in writing by the Company,
seek or accept other employment, become self-employed in any other capacity
during the term of his employment, or engage in any activities which are
detrimental to the business of RARE. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive
may engage in personal investment activities provided such activities do not
interfere with Executive's performance of his full-time employment duties under
this Agreement. Executive shall perform his duties, primarily, in the Atlanta,
Georgia metropolitan area.

     2. Compensation and Benefits.

     2.1 Base Compensation. For all the services rendered by Executive
hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive an annual salary at the rate of One
Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($147,000) for each full year of the
Employment Term, plus such additional amounts, if any, as may be approved by the
Company ("Base Compensation"), payable in installments at such times as the
Company customarily pays its other executives generally (but in any event no
less often than monthly). The Company agrees that the Executive's salary will be
reviewed at least annually to determine if an increase is appropriate, which
increase shall be in the sole discretion of the Company. Executive's salary
shall be prorated for any partial calendar year during which this Agreement
remains in effect.

     2.2 Bonus Awards. In addition to the Base Compensation, during the
Employment Term Executive shall be eligible for a bonus determined and paid in
accordance with the bonus program for employees of the Company, as approved by
the Company from time to time. Unless otherwise set forth in this Agreement,
Executive must be employed by the Company on the date the bonus is paid to
executive employees generally in order to be entitled to a bonus for that year.

     2.3 Other Benefits. In addition to all other compensation paid or payable
from the Company to Executive hereunder, during the Employment Term Executive
shall be entitled to participate in any supplemental life insurance plan
maintained for Vice President level executives and participate in any and all
other employee benefit programs maintained by the Company for the benefit of its
executive employees generally, in accordance with and subject to the terms and
conditions of such programs.

     2.4 Expenses. In addition to the compensation described in this Agreement,
the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses
incurred by him in the performance of his duties under this Agreement and
vouched to the reasonable satisfaction of appropriate officers of the Company,
pursuant to established procedures.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         3.       Payment upon Termination.

     (a) Upon termination of the Employment Term for Cause (as defined in
Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference), Executive shall
be entitled to receive the compensation owed to Executive but unpaid for
performance rendered under this Agreement as of the date of termination and any
additional compensation he may be entitled to receive under the terms of any
employee benefit plan offered by the Company.

     (b) Upon termination of the Employment Term by the death of Executive,
Executive's estate shall be entitled to receive the compensation under Section
2.1 owed to Executive but unpaid for performance rendered under this Agreement
as of the date of death, and any additional compensation Executive's estate may
be entitled to receive under the terms of any employee benefit plan offered by
the Company. Executive's estate shall also be entitled to receive Executive's
pro rata share (based on days worked before death) of the bonus to which he
would have been entitled if he had (i) been an employee on the date bonuses for
the then-current fiscal year were distributed and (ii) achieved his individual
bonus plan goals, if any. The bonus payment shall be made as and when bonus
payments, if any, would otherwise be payable under Section 2 of this Agreement.

     (c) In the event that during the Employment Term Executive becomes Disabled
and the Company thereafter terminates Executive's employment during the
continuation of such Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive the
compensation under Section 2.1 owed to Executive but unpaid for performance
rendered under this Agreement as of the date of termination, and any additional
compensation Executive may be entitled to receive under the terms of any
employee benefit plan offered by the Company. Executive shall be also entitled
to receive his pro rata share (based on days worked before the commencement of
the ninety-day period required for a Disability) of the bonus to which he would
have been entitled if he had (i) been an employee on the date bonuses for the
then-current fiscal year were distributed and (ii) achieved his individual bonus
plan goals, if any. The bonus payments shall be made as and when salary and
bonus payments, if any, would otherwise be payable under Section 2 of this
Agreement.

     (d) In the event that the Company terminates Executive's employment for any
reason other than those set forth in subsections (a), (b) or (c) above, unless
the provisions of Section 3(e) apply, Executive shall be entitled to receive the
compensation under Section 2.1 owed to Executive but unpaid for performance
rendered under this Agreement as of the date of termination and the Company will
be obligated to pay Executive his Base Compensation as of the date of
termination of such employment from the date of such termination for six (6)
months. Such payment shall be made over a six-month period as and when salary
would otherwise be payable under Section 2 of this Agreement.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     (e) In the event that (i) during the Employment Term a Change in Control
(as defined in Exhibit A attached hereto) shall occur and (ii) within twelve
(12) months following the occurrence of the Change in Control, the Company
demotes Executive other than for Cause, effects an involuntary transfer of
Executive to a location more than fifty (50) miles from Executive's place of
residence or terminates Executive's employment other than for Cause then, in
lieu of the amounts payable pursuant to Section 3(d) Executive shall be entitled
to receive the compensation under Section 2.1 as owed to Executive but unpaid
for performance rendered under this Agreement as of the date of termination of
such employment, and the Company will be obligated to pay Executive an
additional amount equal to the sum of (x) his annual Base Compensation as of the
date of termination of such employment plus (y) an amount equal to the bonus
paid to Executive pursuant to Section 2.2 for the calendar year immediately
preceding the calendar year in which the termination of employment occurs. Such
payment shall be made within thirty (30) days following termination of
Executive's employment.

     (f) Payments made pursuant to this Section 3 are in lieu of any other
obligations to Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

     4. Noncompetition. Executive covenants and agrees that during the term of
his employment by the Company and for a period of one (1) year immediately
following the termination of Executive's employment by the Company for any
reason whatsoever, Executive will not, within the area described on Exhibit B
hereto (the "Restricted Area"), directly or indirectly compete with RARE in
connection with a business, any significant portion of which involves the
development, opening, operation or franchising of restaurants that derive more
than thirty percent (30%) of their food sales from steak products, if a RARE
Entity is still engaged in such business in such area.

     4.1 Definition of "Compete." For the purposes of this Agreement, the term
"compete" shall mean the providing of general management, supervisory or
consulting services for the development, operation or franchising of restaurants
that derive more than thirty percent (30%) of their food sales from steak
products.

     4.2 Direct or Indirect Competition. For the purposes of this Agreement, the
words "directly or indirectly" as they modify the word "compete" shall mean (i)
acting as an agent, representative, consultant, officer, director, independent
contractor, or employee engaged in a management capacity with any entity or
enterprise which is carrying on a business any significant portion of which
involves the development, opening, or operation of restaurants offering steak
products as at least thirty percent (30%) of their food sales, (ii)
participating in any such competing entity or enterprise as an owner, partner,
limited partner, joint venturer, creditor or stockholder (except as a
stockholder holding less than one percent (1%) interest in a corporation whose
shares are actively traded on a regional or national securities exchange or in
the over-the-counter market), or (iii) communicating to any such competing
entity or enterprise the names or addresses or any other information concerning
any employee or supplier of a RARE Entity or any successor to the goodwill of a
RARE Entity with respect to the business of a RARE Entity.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     5. Confidentiality. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that by reason of
his employment by and service to the Company, he will have access to all trade
secrets and other confidential information of RARE including, but not limited
to, confidential: pricing information, marketing information, sales techniques
of RARE, confidential records, RARE's expansion plans, restaurant development
and marketing techniques, operating procedures, training programs and materials,
business plans, franchise arrangements, plans and agreements, information
regarding suppliers, product quality and control procedures, financial
statements and projections and other information regarding the operation of
RARE's restaurants (hereinafter referred to as the "Confidential Information").
Executive acknowledges that such Confidential Information is a valuable and
unique asset of RARE and covenants that he will not, either during the term of
his employment by the Company or for a period of two (2) years thereafter,
disclose any such Confidential Information to any person for any reason
whatsoever (except as his duties for the Company may require) without the prior
written authorization of the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Executive agrees
that he will not copy any Confidential Information except as the performance of
his duties for the Company may require and that upon the termination of his
employment by the Company, he shall return all Confidential Information and any
copies thereof in his possession to the Company. Executive hereby acknowledges
and agrees that the prohibitions against disclosure of Confidential Information
recited herein are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any rights or remedies
which the Company may have available pursuant to the laws of any jurisdiction or
at common law to prevent the disclosure of trade secrets or proprietary
information, and the enforcement by the Company of its rights and remedies
pursuant to this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any other
rights or available remedies which it may possess in law or equity absent this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company acknowledges and agrees
that nothing contained herein shall restrict or otherwise prohibit or prevent
disclosure of Confidential Information pursuant to legal proceedings, subpoena,
civil investigative demand or other similar process. Executive agrees that if
disclosure of Confidential Information is requested or required pursuant to any
such process, he shall provide the Company with prompt written notice of any
such request or requirement so that RARE may seek a protective order or other
appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement. If, in the absence of a protective order or other remedy or the
receipt of a waiver by the Company, Executive is nonetheless, legally compelled
to disclose Confidential Information to any tribunal or other agency, Executive
may, without liability hereunder, disclose to such tribunal or other agency only
that portion of the Confidential Information which Executive is legally required
to disclose, Executive agrees to cooperate with RARE to obtain an appropriate
protective order or other reliable assurance that such tribunal or other agency
will accord the Confidential Information confidential treatment. The Company
also acknowledges and agrees that Confidential Information shall not include any
information (a) known by Executive prior to his employment by the Company and
learned by Executive other than as a result of his employment relationship with
any RARE Entity, (b) independently developed by the Executive outside of the
scope of his employment relationship with any RARE Entity or (c) that is or
becomes publicly available through no breach by the Executive of his obligation
to the Company.

                                       5
<PAGE>

     6. Non-Solicitation of Employees. Executive covenants that during the term
of his employment by the Company, and during the two (2) year period immediately
following the termination of such employment, Executive will neither directly
nor indirectly induce or attempt to induce any employee of a RARE Entity to
terminate his or her employment to go to work for any other employer in a
business competing with that of RARE. For purposes of this Section 6, "neither
directly nor indirectly" means Executive shall neither (i) take the prohibited
action himself, (ii) act as agent, representative, consultant, recruiter or
independent contractor for anyone with regard to taking the prohibited action,
nor (iii) communicate to any such person the names, addresses, telephone numbers
or any other information concerning an employee of any RARE Entity.

     7. Hiring of Employees. Executive covenants that during the term of his
employment by the Company, and during the one (1) year period immediately
following the termination of such employment, Executive will neither directly
nor indirectly hire any salaried employee of a RARE Entity. For purposes of this
Section 7, "neither directly nor indirectly" means Executive shall neither (i)
take the prohibited action himself, (ii) act as agent, representative,
consultant, recruiter or independent contractor for anyone with regard to taking
the prohibited action, nor (iii) communicate to any such person the names,
addresses, telephone numbers or any other information concerning an employee of
any RARE Entity.

     8. Property of Company. Executive acknowledges that from time to time in
the course of providing services pursuant to this Agreement he shall have the
opportunity to inspect and use certain property, both tangible and intangible,
of RARE Entities, and Executive hereby agrees that said property shall remain
the exclusive property of those RARE Entities and the Executive shall have no
right or proprietary interest in such property, whether tangible or intangible,
including, without limitation, franchise and supplier lists, contract forms,
books of account, training and operating materials and similar property.

     9. Developments. All developments, including inventions, whether patentable
or otherwise, trade secrets, discoveries, improvements, ideas and writings which
either directly or indirectly relate to or may be useful in the business of the
Company or any RARE Entity (the "Developments") which Executive, either by
himself or in conjunction with any other person or persons, has conceived, made,
developed, acquired or acquired knowledge of during his employment by the
Company or which Executive, either by himself or in conjunction with any other
person or persons, shall conceive, make, develop, acquire or acquire knowledge
of during the Employment Term, shall become and remain the sole and exclusive
property of the Company. Executive hereby assigns, transfers and conveys, and
agrees to so assign, transfer and convey, all of his right, title and interest
in and to any and all such Developments and to disclose fully as soon as
practicable, in writing, all such Developments to the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company. At any time and from time to time, upon the request and at the
expense of the Company, Executive will execute and deliver any and all
instruments, documents and papers, give evidence and do any and all other acts
which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, are or may be necessary or
desirable to document such transfer or to enable the Company to file and
prosecute applications for and to acquire, maintain and enforce any and all
patents, trademark registrations or copyrights under United States or foreign
law with respect to any such Developments or to obtain any extension,
validation, reissue, continuance or renewal of any such patent, trademark or
copyright. The Company will be responsible for the preparation of any such
instruments, documents and papers and for the prosecution of any such
proceedings and will reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by
him in compliance with the provisions of this Section.

                                       6
<PAGE>

     10. Reasonableness. The restrictions contained in Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7
are considered by the parties hereto to be fair and reasonable and necessary for
the protection of the legitimate business interests of the Company.

     11. Equitable Relief. Executive acknowledges that the services to be
rendered by him are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, and
intellectual character, which gives them a peculiar value, and the loss of which
cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated in damages in an action at law;
and that a breach by him of any of the provisions contained in Sections 4, 5, 6
and 7 of this Agreement will cause the Company irreparable injury and damage.
Executive further acknowledges that he possesses unique skills, knowledge and
ability and that any material breach of the provisions of Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7
of this Agreement would be extremely detrimental to the Company. By reason
thereof, Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled, in addition to any
other remedies it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, to injunctive and
other equitable relief to prevent or curtail any breach of the provisions of
Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Agreement by him.

     12. Survival of Provisions. The provisions of Sections 4 through 14,
inclusive, of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement to
the extent required to give full effect to the covenants and agreements
contained in those sections. All provisions of this Agreement which contemplate
the making of payments or the provision of consideration or other items of
economic value by the Company to the Executive after the termination of this
Agreement shall likewise survive the termination of this Agreement to the extent
required to give full effect to such undertakings or obligations of the Company
to Executive hereunder.

     13. Warranties and Representations. In order to induce the Company to enter
into this Employment Agreement, Executive hereby warrants and represents to the
Company that Executive is not under any obligation, contractual or otherwise, to
any party which would prohibit or be contravened by Executive's continued
employment by the Company and the performance of Executive's duties as Vice
President of Finance for the Company or the performance of Executive's
obligations under this Agreement.

     14. Successors Bound; Assignability. This Agreement shall be binding upon
Executive, the Company and their successors in interest, including without
limitation, any corporation into which the Company may be merged or by which it
may be acquired. This Agreement is nonassignable except that the Company's
rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement may be assigned to the
Company's acquiror in the event the Company is merged, acquired or sells
substantially all of its assets.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     15. Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement or any word, phrase, clause, sentence or other portion thereof
shall be deemed to be illegal or unenforceable for any reason, such provision or
portion thereof shall be modified or deleted, to the extent permissible under
applicable law, in such a manner so as to make this Agreement as modified legal
and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted under applicable laws.

     16. Withholding. Notwithstanding any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be subject to
withholding of such sums related to taxes as the Company may reasonably
determine it should withhold pursuant to applicable law or regulation.

     17. Headings. The headings and captions used in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only, and shall in no way define, limit, expand or
otherwise affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

     18. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given pursuant to this
Agreement shall be deemed sufficiently given when delivered in person or when
deposited in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:

         If to the Company, to:             RARE Hospitality Management, Inc.
                                            8215 Roswell Road
                                            Building 600
                                            Atlanta, Georgia 30350
                                            Attention:  President

         With a copy to:                    RARE Hospitality International, Inc.
                                            8215 Roswell Road
                                            Building 600
                                            Atlanta, Georgia 30350
                                            Attention: General Counsel

         If to Executive, to:               Benjamin Waites
                                            ___________________
                                            ___________________

Any party may by written notice change the address to which notices to such
party are to be delivered or mailed.

     19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with Exhibit A and Exhibit B
hereto, which are incorporated herein by this reference, constitutes the entire
Agreement between the parties hereto with regard to Executive's employment by
the Company, and there are no agreements, understandings, specific restrictions,
warranties or representations, oral or written, relating to said subject matter
between the parties other than those set forth herein or herein provided for.
This Agreement shall replace and supercede any and all employment agreements,
agreements pertaining to a change of control of the Company or any other RARE
Entity, and other agreements, if any, governing the employment relationship
between the parties.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which will take effect as an original and all of which
shall evidence one and the same Agreement.

     21. Amendment, Modification and Waiver. This Agreement may only be amended,
modified or terminated prior to the end of its term by the mutual agreement of
the parties. The waiver by either party to this Agreement of a breach of any of
the provisions of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver
of any subsequent or simultaneous breach.

     22. Mitigation. Executive shall have no duty to attempt to mitigate the
compensation or level of benefits payable by the Company to him hereunder and
the Company shall not be entitled to set-off against the amounts payable by the
Company to Executive hereunder any amounts received by the Executive from any
other source, including any subsequent employer.

     23. Governing Law. All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall
be construed in accordance with and governed by the applicable laws of the State
of Georgia.

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

                                            RARE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, INC.

                                            By:_____________________________
                                                        Title:

                                            EXECUTIVE

                                            _______________________________
                                            BENJAMIN WAITES

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                -----------------

EXHIBIT                                              DESCRIPTION
-------                                              -----------

    A                                                DEFINITIONS

    B                                                RESTRICTED AREA

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                                    ---------

DEFINITIONS

     As used in Section 3 of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to each below:

"Cause" means:

     (i) the Executive's breach of any material obligations under this
Agreement; provided, however, that if such breach can be cured, Executive shall
have thirty (30) days following receipt from the Company of written notice of
such breach within which to do so before said breach is deemed to constitute
"Cause" for termination;

     (ii) habitual and unauthorized absenteeism by reason other than physical or
mental illness;

     (iii) chronic alcoholism or other form of substance abuse resulting in
material harm or actual or potential physical danger to any RARE Entity or its
employees;

     (iv) the commission by Executive of (a) a felony for which Executive is
indicted or with respect to which Executive pleads nolo contendere (or any
similar response), (b) any act or moral turpitude or (c) any fraud or
embezzlement upon a RARE Entity; or (v) the engaging by the Executive in
negligence or willful misconduct which is injurious to RARE, monetarily or
otherwise.

     "Change of Control" means and includes each of the following:

     (i) The acquisition, at one time or over time, by any individual, entity or
group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of 50% or more
of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
RARE Hospitality International, Inc. ("RARE Parent") entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities");
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control; (a) any acquisition by a
Person who is on the date of this Agreement the beneficial owner of 50% or more
of the Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, (b) any acquisition by RARE
Parent, or (c) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by RARE Parent or any corporation controlled by RARE
Parent;

     (ii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, share exchange or
consolidation or sale of other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of RARE Parent (a "Business Combination"), in each case unless following
such Business Combination, (i) all of substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Corporation Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such
transaction owns RARE Parent or all or substantially all of RARE Parent's assets
either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of
the Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities, and (ii) no Person (excluding any
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) of RARE Parent or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the
Business Combination, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board
of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were
members of the incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business
Combination.
<PAGE>

"Disability" or "Disabled" shall mean that by reason of any physical or
mental incapacity Executive has been unable, or it is reasonably expected that
he will be unable, for a period of at least ninety (90) substantially continuous
days to perform his regular duties and responsibilities hereunder. In the event
of any disagreement between Executive and the Company as to whether Executive is
physically or mentally incapacitated, the question of such incapacity shall be
submitted to an impartial and reputable physician for determination, selected by
mutual agreement of Executive and the Company or, failing such agreement,
selected by two physicians (one of which shall be selected by the Company and
the other by Executive), and such determination of the question of such
incapacity by such physician shall be final and binding on Executive and the
Company. The Executive shall pay the fees and expenses of such physician.

                                       2
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT B

Executive and the Company agree that for purposes of this Agreement, the
"Restricted Area" shall constitute the area within fifteen (15) miles of RARE's
restaurants in the following cities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>
Alabama                        Auburn, Daphne, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Prattville
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona                        Phoenix
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado                       Denver
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut                    Manchester
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware                       Newark
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
District of Columbia
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida                        Altamonte  Springs,  Boynton  Beach,  Brandon,  Citrus Park,  Coral  Springs,
                               Daytona Beach, Davie, Delray Beach,  Destin,  Fleming Island, Ft. Lauderdale,
                               Ft.  Myers,  Hollywood,   Jacksonville  Beach,  Jacksonville,  Jensen  Beach,
                               Kissimmee,  Lake Mary, Largo, Merritt Island,  Miami, Naples, Ocala, Orlando,
                               Palm Harbor,  Pembroke  Pines,  Port Richey,  Sarasota,  St.  Augustine,  St.
                               Petersburg, Southchase, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Winter Haven
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia                        Albany,  Alpharetta,  Athens,  Atlanta,  Augusta,  Austell,  Buford,  Canton,
                               Cartersville,  Chamblee,  College Park, Columbus,  Conyers,  Cumming, Dalton,
                               Douglasville,   Duluth,  East  Point,   Fayetteville,   Gainesville,   Hiram,
                               Jonesboro,  Kennesaw,  Lawrenceville,  Lithonia, Macon, Marietta,  McDonough,
                               Newnan,  Orange Park,  Peachtree City, Rome, Roswell,  Savannah,  Snellville,
                               Statesboro, Tifton, Tucker, Valdosta, Warner Robbins, Woodstock
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois                       Chicago, Fairview Heights
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana                        Avon, Carmel, Indianapolis
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas                         Kansas City, Lawrence, Leawood, Speedway, Topeka
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kentucky                       Bowling Green, Cold Spring, Florence, Lexington, Louisville
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maine                          Augusta, Bangor, Portland
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maryland                       Bowie, Columbia, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Hagerstown, Landover, Waldorf
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts                  Boston,   Braintree,   Chestnut   Hill,   Dedham,   Framingham,    Haverhill,
                               Leominister,   Marlborough,   Methuen,  Milford,  North  Attleboro,  Peabody,
                               Seekonk, Shrewsbury, Watertown, West Springfield
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan                       Auburn Hills, Roseville, Troy
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota                      Minneapolis
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Missouri                       Ballwin,  Belton,  Chesterfield,  East  Columbia,  Florissant,  Independence,
                               Jefferson City, Kansas City, Lee's Summit, O'Fallon, St. Peters, Sunset Hills
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Hampshire                  Concord, Manchester, Newington
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>
New Jersey                     Flanders,  Howell, Mt. Olive, Nashua, N. Brunswick,  Parsippany,  Piscataway,
                               Rochelle Park
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York                       Albany, New York, Poughkeepsie, Rochester
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina                 Burlington,  Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia,  Greensboro,  Hickory, High Point,
                               Huntersville, Pineville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ohio                           Beaver Creek,  Boardman,  Cincinnati,  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Cuyahoga Falls,
                               Dublin,  Fairview  Park,  Independence,  Mayfield  Heights,  Maumee,  Medina,
                               Mentor,  Moraine,  North  Canton,   Pickerington,   Solon,  Springdale,   St.
                               Clairsville, West Chester, Wooster
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania                   Bensalem, Erie, Exton, Norristown, Philadelphia
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rhode Island                   Providence, Warwick
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Carolina                 Anderson,  Columbia,  Greenville,  Hilton Head, Mt. Pleasant,  N. Charleston,
                               Rock Hill, Spartanburg
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tennessee                      Chattanooga, Clarksville, Hermitage, Jackson, Madison, Nashville
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas                          Dallas, Houston
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vermont                        Williston
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia                       Dulles, McLean
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Virginia                  Charleston
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Executive acknowledges and agrees that the geographical area described
above is the area in which Executive will initially perform his services for the
Company, and that the area in which such services are performed is intended to
expand as the business of the RARE Entities grows. Executive and the Company
agree that as the geographical area in which the RARE Entities conduct their
business expands, the list of cities described on this Exhibit B shall be deemed
to be amended, from time to time, without any further consent, action or notice
on the part of the Company or Executive, to include each additional city in
which any member of the RARE Entities operates a restaurant or a franchisee of a
RARE Entity operates a restaurant under the terms of a franchise from the RARE
Entity. Executive agrees to execute one or more amendments hereto upon the
request of the Company from time to time in order to confirm such amended list.

                                      B-2

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