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                                                                   Exhibit 10.12

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                          FORMULA DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS FORMULA DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT is executed this 21st day of May, 2004,
and made effective as of December 1, 2002, by and between HARDEE'S FOOD SYSTEMS,
INC., a North Carolina corporation ("HARDEE'S") and PIERRE FOODS, INC., a North
Carolina corporation ("Vendor").

                                    RECITALS

     1.   HARDEE'S desires to introduce new products in its restaurant systems.

     2.   Vendor is in the business of developing formulations and producing and
manufacturing products of the type and kind contemplated by this Agreement.

     3.   VENDOR has developed a product which HARDEE'S desires to consider for
use in its restaurant systems.

     NOW, THERFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein made, the
parties agree as follows:

     1.   Vendor has developed specifications and desired elements or
characteristics for the following products (individually each a "Product" and
collectively the "Products"):

          Angus Beefsteak Patty 4.10oz. Item #9561

          Angus Beefsteak Patty 5.65oz. Item #9598

     2.   Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the parties
entered into a an Amended and Restated Agreement for the Products (the "Product
Contract").

     3.   So long as the Purchase Threshold (as defined herein) is met, Vendor
grants HARDEE'S, together with its parent, subsidiary and affiliate
corporations, an exclusive, right to purchase the Products. It is expressly
understood that Vendor will process and manufacture the Products utilizing
certain proprietary processes, methods, ingredients and formulas (collectively,
the "Formula") described on Exhibit A attached hereto and in accordance with
HARDEE'S Finished Product Specifications attached to the Product Contract. The
parties agree and acknowledge that Vendor has ownership of the Formula. Other
than for the rights granted herein to HARDEE'S by Vendor, HARDEE'S, together
with its parent, subsidiary and affiliate corporations, will not by virtue of
this relationship acquire or claim any proprietary interest in: (i) the Formula
of Vendor utilized in the manufacture and production of the Products, (ii) any
patents, patent applications, proprietary information, processes or methods
containing confidential information of Vendor and belonging to Vendor, (iii) any
software, trade secrets or other proprietary information, methods or processes
licensed by third parties to Vendor, or (iv)

                                           Confidential information redacted and
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any other products, recipes, formulas, techniques, procedures, or processes of
the Vendor and belonging to Vendor.

     4.   HARDEE'S acknowledges that it is aware that Vendor presently
manufactures various protein and sandwich products substantially similar to the
Products for third parties and for its own branded sandwiches. This Agreement
shall not limit the right of Vendor to continue the manufacture and sale of any
products and/or branded items as they are presently or hereafter may be
constituted or to develop and process other branded items or products for itself
or others; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the
Purchase Threshold is met, Vendor may not:

          (i)  manufacture for or sell to any third party, other than Carl
Karcher Enterprises, Inc. ("CKE") pursuant to the CKE Agreement (as defined
herein), or for its own use any Angus Beef Burger Product that uses the same
proprietary spices in the Angus meat block formula used in the manufacture of
the Product, or

          (ii) manufacture for or directly sell to any Competitor of HARDEE'S
(as defined herein) any Angus Beef Burger Product confusingly similar to a
Product. "Angus Beef Burger Product" means a beef patty consisting of more than
51% of black cattle beef with a raw weight range and with respect to a Product
(so long as the Product is subject to the Product Contract) within .3oz., plus
or minus, of the raw weight of such Product.

     5.   For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Competitor of HARDEE'S"
shall mean any national or regional chain of "quick" service restaurants or food
shops with one hundred (100) or more restaurants or shops operated under the
same tradename in which food is prepared on-premises and sold at an inside
counter, table service or drive-thru window, intended for immediate on-premises,
off-premises, or in-vehicle consumption.

     6.   For the purposes of this Agreement, "Purchase Threshold" means the
purchase under the Product Contract by HARDEE'S and its parent, subsidiary, and
affiliate corporations of *** pounds aggregate of Products from Vendor during
each rolling twelve (12) month trailing period, the first test period ending
fourteen (14) months after the month in which first delivery of Products is made
under the Product Contract. If less than *** pounds is available in any such
period for sale by Vendor, then such lesser amount available shall be the
Purchase Threshold.

     7.   HARDEE'S agrees as a condition of this Agreement that HARDEE'S will
not contract with more than two (2) other manufacturers (other than Vendor) at
any one time to manufacture and produce the Products for HARDEE'S. Vendor agrees
that as a condition of this Agreement that Vendor so long as the Purchase
Threshold is met will enter into agreements without royalty or fee with such
other manufacturers (designated by HARDEE'S) to license the use of Vendor's
proprietary Formula for the Products to said manufacturers solely for the
purpose of manufacturing and producing the Products for HARDEE'S. Provided,
notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Vendor agrees that HARDEE'S may engage
one or two designated manufacturers which Vendor will license to use the Formula
during the time period beginning as of the date of this Agreement until the
Purchase Threshold is first tested. Failure by Vendor to enter into a license
agreement with a designated manufacturer within a reasonable

                                        2  Confidential information redacted and
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time, through no fault of the designated manufacturer, shall constitute a
material default under this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed by
the parties that other than licensing the use of the Formula, Vendor shall have
no further role in the relationship between HARDEE'S and the other said
manufacturer.

     8.   Vendor represents and warrants that it owns the formulations and
specifications to manufacture the Products free and clear and has the right to
enter into this Agreement and grant HARDEE'S and its parent, subsidiary, and
affiliate corporations the exclusive right to purchase the Products pursuant to
Section 3 and the right to license its proprietary formulas and specifications
for the production and manufacture of the Products under Section 7.

     9.   It is expressly acknowledged that the Vendor in consideration of the
premises herein and other consideration received, the legal sufficiency of which
is acknowledged, does hereby grant HARDEE'S the right of first refusal
hereinafter described. Upon the occurrence of any one of the following events,
HARDEE'S upon written notice to Vendor shall have the right of first refusal to
purchase the Formula, and all rights of ownership thereto, from the Vendor for a
purchase price and purchase terms provided in writing by Vendor to HARDEE'S
within fourteen (14) calendar days following the occurrence of any such event.
HARDEE'S shall have in fourteen (14) calendar days after receiving the purchase
price and purchase terms notice within which to accept or decline Vendor's
proposal. If HARDEE'S declines to purchase the Formula during such time period,
then Vendor shall be free to contract with and sell to any third party the
Formula unencumbered without restriction, but not on different terms than those
offered to HARDEE'S without giving HARDEE'S a fourteen (14) day right of first
refusal concerning the same. From the date of the occurrence of any one of the
events until the date on which the Formula is purchased by HARDEE'S or by a
third party under this provision, Vendor shall permit HARDEE'S, or any
manufacturer designated by HARDEE'S, to produce the Products for HARDEE'S under
the terms of the standard license agreement set forth in Section 7 hereunder.

          a.   The Vendor ceases to manufacture or is unable to manufacture the
Product for any reason for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days
excepting a Force Majeure (as defined in the Product Contract) provided Vendor
shall cooperate in good faith in such event with HARDEE'S and its then
designated manufacturers and any other temporary designated manufacturer
appointed by HARDEE'S to ensure appropriate supply of Products until Vendor can
resume production and supply of the Products as contemplated under the Product
Contract, at which point the rights and obligations of the parties under the
Product Contract shall resume. In such a Force Majeure event, until Vendor is
able to resume its supply obligations under the Product Contract, the Purchase
Threshold and Volume Requirements (as defined in the Product Contract) shall be
waived;

          b.   Excepting by reason of delay or default of persons outside the
control of Vendor, the Vendor fails to perform or observe any portion of its
obligations under Section 7 herein at any time;

          c.   The Vendor ceases to do business as a manufacturer of beef
products for any reason; and

                                        3  Confidential information redacted and
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          d.   The Vendor (i) voluntarily commences any proceeding or file any
petition seeking relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership, liquidation or similar law, (ii) consents to the
institution of, or fails to contravene in a timely and appropriate manner, any
such proceeding or the involuntary filing of any such petition, (iii) applies
for or consents to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar
official of itself or of a substantial part of its property, (iv) files an
answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any
voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, (v) makes a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors, (vi) becomes unable, admits in writing its
inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due or (vii) takes
any corporate or other action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.
Provided in the event of a Chapter 11 reorganization, if the trustee affirms the
Product Contract and the associated agreements, and the Vendor affirmatively
shows its ability to produce and supply, and so long as it does so, the Products
in accordance with the Product Contract, such event so long as in Chapter 11
status, or a complete discharge therefrom, shall not be deemed an event under
this subsection (d).

     10.  The parties recognize the unique nature of this Agreement due to the
uniqueness of the Product, the health and liability issues integral to the
Product and the effect of the Product on the reputation of HARDEE'S and Vendor.
Accordingly, the parties agree that this Agreement is personal in nature and
that neither party may assign or otherwise transfer its rights and obligations
under this Agreement to another party without the express prior written consent
of the non-transferring party which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereunder and their respective approved successors and assigns.

     11.  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal
courts of the State of Missouri for the adjudication of matters arising out of
this Agreement; and neither party will assert FORUM NON CONVENIENS with respect
to such venue. This Agreement, and all Exhibits, are only valid if and when duly
signed by authorized representatives of both parties. No third party is
authorized to amend or waive, on behalf of HARDEE'S, any provision of this
Agreement.

     12.  There are no understandings, agreements, or representations, express
or implied, not specified herein. This Agreement may not be amended except in a
writing signed by the parties.

     13.  It is expressly agreed and acknowledged that Vendor has entered into a
certain Amended and Restated Agreement dated of even date and effective February
1, 2004, with CKE which Agreement and the attachments thereto (the "CKE
Agreement") grant CKE the right to purchase products similar to the Products in
accordance with the terms and conditions therein. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, HARDEE'S acknowledges and agrees that the rights,
privileges, and options of CKE under the CKE Agreement, and the terms thereof,
shall not be deemed a violation of the Product Contract, this Agreement, or the
Attachments (as defined in the Product Contract).

                                        4  Confidential information redacted and
Omitted portions are indicated by [***].   filed separately with the Commission.

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     Executed the day and year first above written and effective as of December
1, 2002.

HARDEE'S FOOD SYSTEMS, INC.             PIERRE FOODS, INC.

By:  /s/ John Dunion                    By:  /s/ Robert C. Naylor
    ------------------------------          -------------------------------
     John Dunion                             Robert C. Naylor
     Executive Vice President                Senior Vice President-Sales

                                        5  Confidential information redacted and
Omitted portions are indicated by [***].   filed separately with the Commission.<Page>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.13

                            FIRST AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT AGREEMENT ("Amendment") is executed as of the 27th day
of June, 2004, by and between HARDEE'S FOOD SYSTEMS, INC., a North Carolina
corporation ("HFS") and PIERRE FOODS, INC., a North Carolina corporation (the
"Company").

                                    RECITALS

     1.   HFS and Company are parties to a certain Amended and Restated
Agreement dated May 21, 2004 (the "Original Agreement").

     2.   HFS and Company are parties to a certain Amended and Restated Formula
Development Agreement dated May 21, 2004 (the "Original FDA").

     3.   HFS and Company are parties to a certain Amended and Restated
Confidentiality Agreement dated May 21, 2004 (the "Original Confidentiality").

     4.   HFS and Company desire to amend the Original Agreement and Original
FDA and memorialize the amendment in writing.

     5.   All capitalized terms herein not otherwise defined shall have the
meaning ascribed to such terms in the respective Original Agreement or Original
FDA, as the content may require.

     NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained herein
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1.   AMENDMENTS.

          A.   The Original Agreement is amended as follows:

               (a) Paragraph 3(a) is amended by the addition of the following
     two new paragraphs to be inserted immediately following the first paragraph
     thereof:

               Company agrees and acknowledges that it shall commence building
an additional plant in a *** location as soon as its production output increases
by at least *** pounds (*** of which must be on a ***) per year of flame cooked
broiled protein from its production output as of the date of this Amendment.
Provided that such additional plant is in a location agreeable to HFS and meets
HFS's standards and specifications, HFS agrees that some of the production
capacity of the Products currently in Company's current plant may be moved to
the additional plant. HFS will determine such amounts of production capacity to
be moved based on business considerations in its sole discretion.

               Company shall exercise commercially reasonable efforts to fulfill
all the supply requirements of HFS for the Products. To the extent of any plant
capacity constraints, the

                                           Confidential information redacted and
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Company shall fulfill the supply requirements of HFS prior to the fulfillment of
any product requirements of a Competitor of HFS (as defined in the Amended and
Restated Formula Development Agreement).

               (b) Paragraph 4(a) is amended by the addition of the following
new paragraphs as follows:

                       ***

               (c) Section 4(b) is amended by the addition of a new paragraph to
read as follows:

               The Company agrees that no raw materials purchased by or arranged
for delivery to Company by and for the account of HFS from a designated raw
material supplier of HFS under contract with HFS, including beef products
purchased by HFS under its contract with ***, may be used by Company or its
agent to produce beef products for any other customer of Company. Provided, the
foregoing sentence does not prohibit Company from contracting directly with such
suppliers for raw materials for Company's other customers nor from accepting
from such suppliers raw materials purchased by or arranged for delivery to
Company for the account of Company's other customers. Company agrees that,
without the prior written consent of HFS, only those raw materials purchased by
or arranged for delivery to Company by and for the account of HFS from a
designated raw material supplier of HFS will be used in the manufacturing of the
Products.

               (d) Section 4(f)(ii) is amended to read as follows:

               (ii) Maintenance Books and Records. During the Term and for a
period of at least two (2) years thereafter, the Company shall maintain such
books and records (collectively, "Records") as necessary to substantiate that
all invoices and other charges submitted to HFS for payment hereunder are valid
and proper and to verify the Company's compliance with provisions of this
Agreement, the Amended and Restated Formula Development Agreement and the
Amended and Restated Confidentiality Agreement. Upon reasonable request from
HFS, the Company shall deliver evidence satisfactory to HFS for verification of
compliance with this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Formula Development
Agreement and the Amended and Restated Confidentiality Agreement. All Records
shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals
consistently applied. HFS and/or its representative shall have the right at any
time during normal business hours, upon twenty-four (24) hours notice, to
examine, inspect and audit said Records. Provided, under no circumstances shall
any trade secrets or protected confidential information of any person be subject
to such examination, inspection, or audit. Company agrees to take all actions
reasonably necessary and available to it (without disclosing such trade secrets
or confidential information) to substantiate, to HFS's satisfaction, its
compliance with this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Formula Development
Agreement and the Amended and Restated Confidentiality Agreement, including
without limitation, by permitting visual inspection of the Company's plant to
ensure compliance. HFS shall bear any cost related to any such examination,
inspection or audit; provided, however, Company shall be responsible for such
cost of audits for inspections upon a finding based on the results thereof that
Company is not in material compliance with this Agreement.

                                        2  Confidential information redacted and
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               (e) Paragraph 9(b) is amended and restated to read in its
entirety as follows:

                       (b) At the end of the Term of this Agreement, HFS shall
have the right to renew this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as set
forth herein, for up to five (5) additional renewal terms of one (1) year each
by giving notice of its intent to renew to Company within ninety (90) days prior
to the expiration of the then current Term or renewal term. For the purposes of
this Agreement, the term "Term" shall be deemed to include any renewal terms.

               (f) Paragraph 29 is amended by the addition of a new subsection
(d) to read as follows:

               (d) Except with the prior written consent of the other party,
neither party shall disclose the existence of this Agreement or the subject
matter hereof, except on a "need to know" basis in the ordinary course of its
business in dealing with its employees, financing sources, stock or industry
analysts, advisors, and other representatives and as may be otherwise required
by law, including SEC filings. Provided, however, that subject to the foregoing,
in no event shall either party directly disclose the existence of this Agreement
or the subject matter hereof to any competitor of the other party (the
Competitor of HFS as defined in the Amended and Restated Formula Development
Agreement) or to any affiliate of a competitor of the other party. Each party
agrees and acknowledges that such disclosure shall cause irreparable harm to the
other party and entitle the other party to all remedies at law and equity
including without limitation, liquidated damages and injunctive relief.

          B. The Original FDA is amended as follows:

               (a) Paragraph 4 of the Original FDA is amended by (i) spelling
the word "formula" in subsection (i) of Paragraph 4 as "Formula", (ii) deleting
the "." at the end of subsection (ii) and inserting ", or" and (iii) the
addition of a new subsection (iii) to read as follows:

               (iii) manufacture for or directly sell to any Competitor of HFS
any Angus Beef Burger Product (the term "Angus Beef Burger Product" determined
as defined in subsection (ii) above but without the raw weight range
restriction) that is (a) produced solely according to the Formula and HFS's
complete Finished Product Specifications, or (b) produced with or resulting in a
product with Angus beef trimmings and any two (2) of the following three (3)
variables or factors in common with the Product:

     -    ***
     -    ***
     -    ***

               (b) A new Paragraph 14 is added to the Original FDA to read in
     its entirety as follows:

               14. At the end of the initial Term of this Agreement, HFS shall
     have the right to renew this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as
     set forth herein, for up to

                                        3  Confidential information redacted and
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     five (5) additional renewal terms of one (1) year each by giving notice of
     its intent to renew to Company within ninety (90) days prior to the
     expiration of the initial Term or then current renewal term. For the
     purposes of this Agreement, the term "Term" shall be deemed to include the
     initial Term and any renewal terms.

     2.   NO CHANGE. Except as otherwise modified or amended hereby, the
Original Agreement, Original FDA, and the Original Confidentiality and all
documents and instruments delivered therewith shall remain in full force and
effect as written.

     3    NO DEFAULT. The Original Agreement, the Original FDA, and the Original
Confidentiality are in full force and effect and, as of the date of this
Amendment and to the best knowledge, information, and belief of each party
without independent investigation by either party, (a) there exists no default
or event of default or event, occurrence, condition or act which, with the
giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening of any other event or
condition, would become a default or event of default thereunder. (b) neither
party has violated any of the terms or conditions of any of the foregoing
agreements, (c) all of the obligations and covenants to be performed by each
party thereto have been fully performed, and (d) each party acknowledges and
agrees that with respect the relationship between the parties as contemplated by
the aforesaid collective agreements, there have been no violations of law. This
provision shall not be construed to limit either party from making any future
claims for future breach or subsequent wrongful conduct by either party.

     4.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Amendment, together with the Original
Agreement, the Original FDA, and the Original Confidentiality, as may be amended
hereby, shall constitute the complete agreement between HFS and the Company and
shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous proposals, representations,
understandings, and other communications and correspondence between the parties
concerning the matters addressed in this Amendment and the aforesaid agreements,
whether oral or written.

     5    COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all
of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                        4  Confidential information redacted and
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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties execute this Amendment in accordance with
law the day and year first above written.

                                        HARDEE'S FOOD SYSTEMS, INC.

                                        By: /s/ John Dunion
                                            ----------------------------------
                                        Name: John Dunion
                                              --------------------------------
                                        Title: Executive Vice President
                                               -------------------------------

                                        PIERRE FOODS, INC.

                                        By:  /s/ Robert C. Naylor
                                            ----------------------------------
                                        Name: Robert C. Naylor
                                              --------------------------------
                                        Title: Senior Vice President - Sales
                                               -------------------------------

                                        5  Confidential information redacted and
Omitted portions are indicated by [***].   filed separately with the Commission.

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