Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.52

                           Performance Food Group, LLC

                          Master Distribution Agreement

                                      With

                        Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc.

                                    Effective

                                 October 1, 2002

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                                   PFG Florida
                                    Overview

Performance Food Group Florida, LLC (PFG Florida) is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Performance Food Group, Inc. of Richmond, Virginia.

Performance Food Group, Inc. has over $4 billion in purchasing power to assist
our customers in receiving the efficiency necessary to be profitable.

PFG Florida is a broadline distribution center located in Dover, Florida. Our
facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art 125,000 sq. ft. warehouse, which is
comprised of 42,000 sq. ft. of dry, 35,000 sq. ft. of freezer and 25,000 sq. ft.
of cooler space. The cooler is capable of handling five different temperature
zones to ensure product is stored at the specified temperature required. Our
facility also boasts a 15,200 sq. ft. fully refrigerated shipping and receiving
dock. Our main office building contains a 3,000 sq. ft. conference center with a
fully equipped test kitchen.

Our fleet has 40 - three compartment (dry, cooler, frozen) delivery vehicles to
insure the integrity of your product from the manufacturer to your door.

PFG Florida markets all major foodservice categories of products including fresh
produce, dairy products and fresh meats. Our warehouse has a state-of-the-art
8,000 sq. ft. USDA inspected custom-cut meat room. We are able to custom-cut
meat orders to your specifications, on-site.

We stock Performance Food Group brands as well as Pocahontas label and national
brands to ensure you receive a total commitment of quality assured products.

Technology is a major part of today's foodservice industry and PFG Florida is
ready with the state-of-the-art ordering systems including on-line Internet
ordering and PC based ordering systems.

Our Marketing Department is ready to assist you in bringing our fine products to
your customers profitably, ensuring their return visits to your establishments
as well as your future orders from PFG Florida.

We are sincerely grateful for this opportunity you have given us to partner with
a premier customer such as yourself. Thank you once again for this opportunity.

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                                   PFG Florida

                                Mission Statement

To provide our customers with a quality product, delivered on time, in good
condition and at a fair price.

This will insure customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction and profitability
for both parties.

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                                PFG Florida Team
                              3150 N. Gallagher Rd.
                                Dover, Fl. 33527
                                 (813) 659-0811

                                  Key Personnel

President                          Mike Colosi    ext. 232
VP of Sales                        Bill Terry     ext. 302
Dir. of Finance                    Joel Grade     ext. 233
Credit Mgr.                        John Dale      ext. 236
Customer Svc. Mgr.                 Judy Beall     ext. 269
Customer Svc. Rep.                 Susan Greer    ext. 271
Transportation Mgr.                Scott Ingram   ext. 257

National Account Representative:   Mike Veno      ext. 311

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                               Company Philosophy

PFG Florida highly values our major accounts program and takes pride in
including Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc. as a major customer.

A master distribution agreement has been prepared specifically for Shells
Seafood Restaurants, Inc. as a major account.

In doing this you can be assured that you have the commitment and service levels
that you would expect.

Mike Veno has been assigned to your account and is responsible for developing,
coordinating, implementing, and managing the integrity of the program.

Order guides will be provided and maintained accordingly. Credits, returns, and
special orders will be handled promptly.

Everything has been geared with you, the customer in mind. If you make a special
request or ask us to provide something out of the ordinary, we will do
everything in our power to show you flexibility and to tailor the program to
your needs.

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                    PFG Florida Master Distribution Agreement

      Between Performance Food Group Florida (further known as PFG FLORIDA)
         and Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc. (further known as SHELLS)

In consideration of the mutual obligations set forth below the parties agree as
follows.

     1.   APPOINTMENT OF DISTRIBUTOR

          SHELLS appoints PFG FLORIDA to serve, as it's primary distributor to
          all SHELLS locations (identified in Appendix A) with foodservice
          products within the product categories described in Section 2. As
          primary distributors, PFG FLORIDA will be entitled to not less than
          70% of purchases with respect to such products. Requirements will be
          determined on an aggregate dollar amount.

     2.   PROGRAM GOALS

          PFG FLORIDA proposes to distribute to SHELLS, 70% of dry groceries,
          coffee/tea, frozen foods, produce, dairy, processed meats, seafood,
          poultry, disposables/paper, chemical/janitorial, equipment and supply
          under the margins described herein.

     3.   SCOPE OF AGREEMENT

          This agreement will apply to all of the 29 locations (identified in
          Appendix A) and will be reviewed on a continuing basis. Both parties
          agree that the number of locations may increase or decrease over the
          contract term. If a location is opened within an area requiring
          service from another Performance Food Group distribution center PFG
          FLORIDA will use commercially reasonable efforts to apply terms and
          conditions of this agreement to the new location.

     4.   TERM OF CONTRACT

          The term of this agreement will be for an initial term of three (3)
          years commencing on October 1, 2002 and ending on September 30, 2005,
          unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms hereof. After
          expiration of the initial term, this agreement automatically shall
          renew for successive renewal terms of one (1) year each, unless
          terminated by either party by written notice to the other given not
          less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then current term.
          Pricing schedule will remain in effect for the term of the agreement
          and any renewals thereof. SHELLS and PFG FLORIDA must mutually agree
          upon amendments to the pricing schedule. This agreement may be
          terminated prior to the end of the initial or any renewal term as
          follows:

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          A.   by PFG FLORIDA, in the event that by SHELLS fails to make any
               payment required to be made to PFG FLORIDA hereunder when due,
               which failure is not remedied within five (5) business days after
               receipt of written notice thereof from PFG FLORIDA (provided that
               if two (2) or more notices of default and opportunities to
               correct have been given within any twelve (12) month period, no
               further notice and opportunity to correct need be given); or

          B.   by either party, in the event that the other party substantially
               fails to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of
               this Agreement, which failure is not remedied within [sixty (60)]
               days (unless a different time period is specifically herein
               provided) after receipt of written notice from the other party
               specifying the nature of such default; or

          C.   by either party, upon written notice to the other party, in the
               event that (i) the other party files a voluntary bankruptcy
               petition; (ii) an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed
               against the other party which is not withdrawn or otherwise
               dismissed within ninety (90) days after filing; (iii) an
               assignment for the benefit of creditors made by the other party;
               or (iv) a receiver is appointed for the other party; or

          D.   by either party, upon written notice to the other party, in the
               event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the other
               party. For purposes of this Section 4D, "Change in Control" means
               (i) the consummation of a purchase of stock, merger, or
               consolidation of the other party with or into another entity or
               any other corporate reorganization, if more than 50% of the
               combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity's
               securities outstanding immediately after such stock purchase,
               merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by persons
               who were not stockholders of the other party as of the date of
               this Agreement; or (b) the sale, transfer or other disposition of
               all or substantially all of the other party's assets; provided,
               however, that a transaction shall not constitute a Change in
               Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the other
               party's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be
               owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who
               held the other party's securities immediately before such
               transaction.

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     5.   PRODUCTS COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT

          Products will include PFG FLORIDA brands, national brands, and other
          products specified by SHELLS and stocked by PFG FLORIDA. PFG FLORIDA
          brand products will be utilized whenever possible to ensure
          consistency of quality and to minimize costs. Should a substitute be
          necessary, prior approval to substitute at original product margin is
          required. In order for a substitute to be permitted PFG FLORIDA must
          obtain the prior approval of the authorized representative of SHELLS
          Purchasing Department, as designated in writing from time to time by
          Shells.

     6.   THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BAKING

          Properly maintained warehouses, freshly rotated merchandise and clean,
          efficient delivery trucks can be taken for granted by PFG FLORIDA's
          customers.

          The American Institute of Baking checks for clean equipment and may,
          without notice to the facility, conduct an 8 to 14 hour inspection of
          the facility, warehouse and surrounding areas. They will check for
          proper rotation of products, rodent and insect control, safety
          procedures, etc.

     7.   SERVICE OBLIGATIONS

          Order guides: PFG FLORIDA will provide monthly order guides, and if
          requested by SHELLS, weekly order guides for "at-market" products.

     8.   DELIVERY OBLIGATIONS

          A.   SHELLS is not to return merchandise to PFG FLORIDA without
               written authorization unless damaged, wet, crushed or substituted
               (without prior approval from SHELLS, as contemplated by Section
               5). All requests for return or adjustment of dry groceries or
               frozen food must be reported within 7 days of receipt of
               merchandise. This request must include the invoice number,
               customer code and invoice date in order for the customer to
               receive the full amount of the credit due. In the situation of
               fresh merchandise, returns must be identified at the time of
               delivery. Returned merchandise must reach PFG FLORIDA in
               resalable condition (except to the extent such merchandise was
               already damaged, wet, or crushed) and must be packed in its
               original carton, unless SHELLS is authorized to return
               merchandise for quality control inspection. Merchandise made to
               order, specially designed, crested or imprinted cannot be
               exchanged or returned. Due to manufacturer's request, special
               order (non-stock) merchandise may only be

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               returned if packed in original shipping cartons. For customer
               errors, seasonal item returns and dead inventory returns, PFG
               FLORIDA reserves the right to collect a restocking fee, including
               items not delivered due to refusal, in an amount equal to the
               lesser of (i) the vendor's restocking fee or (ii) 10% of the
               product cost to PFG FLORIDA.

          B.   This program is based on two (2) SHELLS deliveries per week per
               location. In order to maintain consistent and efficient routing
               of deliveries, delivery schedules should be at the option of PFG
               FLORIDA in accordance with SHELLS delivery requirements.

          C.   Exception deliveries (same day for emergencies) will be handled
               on an individual basis. Exception deliveries and delivery
               frequency will be monitored by month. In order to maintain
               proposed margins, these exceptions must be kept to a minimum.

     9.   ORDERING PROCEDURES

          PFG FLORIDA will host a file transfer protocol (FTP) site to receive
          orders electronically. PFG FLORIDA's IT system will be coordinated
          with SHELLS MenuLink for ordering purposes.

     10.  PRICE LIST

          Thirty (30) day pricing will be given on all bid items with the
          exception of "at-market" products including but not limited to
          produce, dairy, meat, and seafood. The "at-market" pricing will be
          weekly, but not during the middle of the week.

     11.  CREDITS

          Credits shall be granted in accordance with the terms of the Operating
          Procedures Manual, which shall be customized by the PFG FLORIDA
          specifically for SHELLS. Hard copy credits will be issued and copy
          forwarded to SHELLS purchasing department.

     12.  DELIVERY AND RECEIVING

          All deliveries will be made in accordance with a prearranged delivery
          schedule designed to meet SHELLS needs. A next day delivery schedule
          will be mutually determined to achieve optimum service levels.
          Deliveries must be made during scheduled delivery periods, which shall
          not include the periods between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for units
          offering lunch and not after 4:00 p.m. for all units. It is vital that
          every effort to deliver products within the delivery times is made.

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          Consistent failure to comply with this requirement will be considered
          a material breach and grounds for termination of this Agreement. All
          deliveries of frozen or perishable products must be in refrigerated
          vehicles and must be packaged in such a manner as to ensure consistent
          delivery in a clean and sanitary condition.

          Holiday schedules will be established by PFG FLORIDA fourteen (14)
          working days in advance of the holiday.

          Invoice files will be provided electronically prior to delivery. Catch
          weights will also be listed on all invoices. With each order, SHELLS
          will receive an original invoice and one copy, which is to be checked
          by authorized personnel. At the time of delivery should any product be
          short or damaged, the PFG FLORIDA delivery driver will note the
          discrepancy on the invoice, and credit will be taken directly off the
          invoice. A credit will thereafter be issued per Section 11.

     13.  CREDIT TERMS

          Credit Terms are Net 30 days. All payments should be received Net 30
          days from the date of invoice. Payments shall be made twice per week
          by ACH debit from a zero balance account. During the course of the
          contract, if agreed payment terms are not met, PFG FLORIDA reserves
          the right to review and adjust margins and any incentive payments will
          not be made until the account is within terms.

          A.   Late Status

               If, during the term of this agreement, SHELLS fails to pay any
               invoice within 30 days, as contemplated above, then SHELLS and
               PFG FLORIDA shall negotiate in good faith to formulate a mutually
               agreeable plan to return SHELLS's account to a 30-day status up
               to and including a COD plus pay plan in order to return the
               account to 30 day terms paid through a ACH debit.

          B.   Service Charge

               If invoices are not paid when due, any amount past due shall bear
               interest from the date due to the date of payment at an annual
               rate of twelve percent (12%). Unpaid invoice balances and finance
               charges due to PFG FLORIDA will be deducted from any credits due
               to SHELLS.

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          C.   Financial Information

               The continuing creditworthiness of SHELLS is of central
               importance to PFG FLORIDA. In order to enable PFG FLORIDA to
               monitor SHELLS financial condition, SHELLS will supply annual
               audited and quarterly unaudited financial statements to PFG
               FLORIDA consisting of an income statement, balance sheet, and
               statement of cash flow, as filed by SHELLS with the Securities
               and Exchange Commission. PFG FLORIDA may request such further
               financial information from time to time, as it will enable PFG
               FLORIDA to accurately assess SHELLS financial condition;
               provided, however, that nothing in this Section 13c shall require
               SHELLS to disclose material, nonpublic information regarding
               SHELLS or its business to PFG FLORIDA.

     14.  PRICING

          A.   All pricing for SHELLS is calculated on PFG FLORIDA cost as
               defined in 14B.

          B.   Defined Cost

               Cost is defined as invoice cost plus freight. Pick-up allowances
               will be split 50/50 with SHELLS on SHELLS proprietary product if
               PFG FLORIDA elects to backhaul the product. All rebates,
               off-invoice allowances and contract pricing from vendors will be
               netted down by PFG FLORIDA.

               The invoice used to determine cost will be for product ordered
               during the period. If electronic data is interchange or other
               invoice less system is used, a printed report confirming the
               purchase order cost will be considered an invoice for determining
               cost.

          C.   Price Adjustments

               All prices on the price list will remain valid for the period of
               the price list (please refer to Section 10), with the exception
               of those commodity or "at-market" items which are identified to
               change weekly. In addition, during periods of unusual cost
               fluctuations (greater than 3% of product cost), PFG FLORIDA will
               pass through such increases.

          D.   Adjustments in Margin for Unanticipated Problems

               If the operating costs of PFG FLORIDA are increased as a direct
               result of a significant regional or national economic problem,
               (including but not limited to fuel cost increases and

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               power shortages) PFG FLORIDA may on ten (10) day's notice to
               SHELLS, increase the pricing specified in section 14.E to
               compensate for such increased costs during the period such
               increases are experienced. If diesel fuel prices exceed $1.45 per
               gallon (based on the index entitled EIA Retail On-Highway Diesel
               Prices - Lower Atlantic PADD 1C," published from time to time by
               the Energy Information Agency of the U.S. Department of Energy as
               currently set forth at www.eia.doe.gov) a $4.00 charge will be
               added per delivery until such time that diesel fuel prices fall
               below $1.45 per gallon.

          E.   PRICE LIST MARGINS

               A customized price program has been created for SHELLS which will
               add a drayage as defined in Section 14F to all cases sold with
               the exception of Coke(TM) and Ecolab(TM) products. These products
               will include drayage to cover PFG FLORIDA's cost of distribution
               and will not be further marked up.

          F.   DRAYAGE CHARGES AND DROP SIZE INCENTIVES

               The drayage charge is $2.20 per case provided SHELLS averages on
               a monthly basis, at least 100 pieces per drop per location.

               Definition of margin calculation on sell = Division landed cost
               (less any office invoice rebates) + mark-up

               Ex.  Division Landed            $20.00
                    Drayage                    $ 2.20
                                               ------
                    Sell Price                 $22.20

               A rebate of $0.05 per case will be paid by PFG FLORIDA to SHELLS
               for any location with an average drop size in excess of 200
               pieces per drop per month. The rebate will be paid in 30 days
               after the month end. If a location purchases additional product
               from another broadline distributor, then the drayage for that
               location will be $2.25 per case. If SHELLS average drop size for
               any month falls below 100 pieces for such month, then the drayage
               for the immediately following month shall be $2.25 per case.

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     15.  SUBSTITUTIONS/BACK ORDERS

          It is PFG FLORIDA's commitment to ship a complete order on every
          delivery. In the event that a substitution becomes necessary, we will
          substitute product at the agreed upon mark-up/fee with prior approval
          of substitutes by an authorized representative of SHELLS Purchasing
          Department, as designated in writing from time to time by SHELLS.

     16.  INFORMATION SYSTEMS REPORTS

          PFG FLORIDA will provide the following reports electronically to
          SHELLS on a weekly/monthly basis:

               Usage by month, rolling YTD by vendor
               Descending dollar by item
               Descending dollar by vendor
               Monthly service level report
               Monthly order guides (must be sent to the restaurants also)
               Weekly price changes (must be sent to the restaurants also)
               Weekly lot listing (all seafood, beef and poultry) by lot
               Weekly inventory on critical items

     17.  BUY-INS/ INVENTORY LEVELS/QC PROCEDURES

          Standard inventory will be 30 days. Inventory is considered "dead"
          when it reaches 90 days old, except where SHELLS has designated
          certain products as buy-ins. PFG FLORIDA will work with SHELLS on
          buy-ins to maintain a standard inventory level of 30 days. For buy-ins
          in excess of 30 days, the holding fee is 0.15% per week times the
          dollar value of inventory in excess of 30 days, billed weekly and
          payable in accordance with Section 13. SHELLS will provide PFG FLORIDA
          with reasonable notice of any buy-ins intended by SHELLS. If PFG
          FLORIDA's freezer space is not adequate to accommodate any buy-in
          intended by SHELLS, PFG FLORIDA may, after consultation with SHELLS,
          lease additional freezer space for such purpose, and PFG FLORIDA shall
          pass-through PFG FLORIDA's cost of such freezer space plus a handling
          charge to drop off, pick up and slot the product of $25.00 per pallet
          per storage incident after using every commercially reasonable effort
          to accommodate the product at PFG FLORIDA.

          QC Procedures/Test Kitchen Availability

          PFG FLORIDA will work with SHELLS to ensure flexibility to ship lots
          out-of-sequence assuming proper notice is given to PFG FLORIDA
          warehouse personnel.

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          PFG FLORIDA's test kitchen will be available 24 hours per week for
          SHELLS QC to utilize as needed with proper pre-booking, it being
          intended that SHELLS will provide PFG FLORIDA with two weeks' advance
          notice of SHELLS required scheduling. Designated mailbox and phone
          line will be provided. In addition, from time to time PFG FLORIDA will
          make available to SHELLS, PFG FLORIDA's 3,000 square foot conference
          facility for meetings to be held by SHELLS, which shall be scheduled
          and held on mutually convenient dates.

     18.  PROPRIETARY PRODUCTS

          PFG FLORIDA will inventory products requested and specified by SHELLS
          that are proprietary to this program under the following conditions:

          PFG FLORIDA agree that they will not order and bring into stock any
          product or lines of product for SHELLS unit unless SHELLS headquarters
          has authorized such action. If SHELLS approves and authorizes products
          not currently in existing inventory, the following minimum guidelines
          will apply to any new products brought into stock.

          A.   SHELLS will allow PFG FLORIDA to present products already stocked
               in inventory.

          B.   SHELLS will sign a special stocking request form.

          C.   SHELLS will use its commercially reasonable efforts to give a
               minimum of 30 days to bring in any new items as requested by
               SHELLS.

          D.   If PFG FLORIDA does not purchase from a supplier designated by
               SHELLS, a Certificate of Insurance and Hold Harmless
               Indemnification is required before any product can be brought
               into inventory. If specified supplier will not issue these
               documents, it will be the responsibility of SHELLS to insure and
               indemnify PFG FLORIDA.

          E.   In the event SHELLS decides to discontinue proprietary product(s)
               or if PFG FLORIDA and SHELLS decide to cease doing business,
               SHELLS will notify PFG in writing per the terms of this
               agreement.

          F.   SHELLS further agrees to purchase any remaining inventory on hand
               at the time and remove it from PFG FLORIDA.

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          G.   In the event of a distributor change, PFG FLORIDA will transfer
               only those SHELLS proprietary items and those items proprietary
               between PFG FLORIDA and SHELLS stocked with over 30 days supply
               (based on in-season inventory). SHELLS agrees to pay all freight
               and handling charges in the disposition of all proprietary
               product(s) to another distributor or return to the manufacturer
               as agreed.

          H.   If a proprietary product fails to provide an average of 12 turns
               per year, and at least 20 cases per month, PFG FLORIDA and SHELLS
               will develop a plan of action to remedy the situation.
               Alternative solutions could include but are not limited to, an up
               charge in the margin allowed, discontinuance of the product, or a
               mutually acceptable solution.

     19.  SPECIAL ORDER ITEMS

          PFG FLORIDA requests a three week lead-time on special order items
          whenever possible. This is due to the lead times required by many
          suppliers.

     20.  PROGRAM REVIEW

          PFG FLORIDA and SHELLS management will meet on a quarterly basis to
          review and correct program performance and make adjustments. The
          agreement is based on SHELLS representations concerning its service
          needs, but not limited to it's anticipated purchases volumes, drop
          sizes, product mix, location of SHELLS units, and number of
          deliveries, as well as SHELLS compliance with it's payment and other
          obligations specified in this agreement.

     21.  NATIONAL PURCHASING PROGRAMS

          PFG FLORIDA enjoys a combined purchasing program of international
          scope. PFG FLORIDA's national and international network of
          manufacture's brokers and buyers are capable of negotiating and
          implementing a National Purchasing Program exclusively for SHELLS.

     22.  SERVICE LEVEL

          PFG FLORIDA insures open communications, proper product mix and
          completed orders will provide a high level of service to SHELLS. A
          minimum service level of 98% fill rate will be the projected
          acceptable goal.

     23.  FORCE MAJEURE

          Neither party shall be liable to the other party for any loss, delay
          or failure to perform resulting directly or indirectly from fires,
          riots,

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          strikes, acts of nature, or other circumstances beyond either party's
          reasonable control.

     24.  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS- ENTIRE AGREEMENT

          Each party agrees that it will comply with all laws and regulations
          applicable to this agreement and its performance hereunder. Without
          limiting the foregoing, SHELLS agrees to fully and accurately report
          to the appropriate federal and state agencies and authorities all
          discounts (such as term defined in 42 CFR Sec. 1001.952 (h)) granted
          hereunder in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. This
          agreement sets forth the complete understanding of the parties hereto
          with the respect to the subject matter contained herein, and this
          agreement may not be amended or supplemented except in writing signed
          by both parties.

     25.  SUPPORT SERVICES

          Negotiated Contracts

          Each of the parties will use their commercially reasonable efforts to
          work in partnership to negotiate special vendor pricing on all
          products, where appropriate.

     26.  REBATE TRACKING

          PFG FLORIDA can provide quarterly tracking reports for this purpose.

Business Reviews

     PFG FLORIDA intends to perform scheduled business reviews with SHELLS to
     critique performance, opportunities, and determine the way to grow the
     parties' valued alliance.

     PFG FLORIDA's product specialists are available to assist its customers in
     providing continuing education to cooks, buyers and managers so that PFG
     FLORIDA's customer's professionalism will be further enhanced.

     27.  AUDIT PRIVILEDGES

          SHELLS has the right to audit this program at any time by informing
          PFG FLORIDA at least (30) calendar days prior to the requested audit
          date. SHELLS may audit a maximum of thirty (30) items from their
          specific bid. Audit rights are not to exceed two (2) times per year.
          Audits will be performed at a PFG FLORIDA office located at 3150 N.
          Gallagher Rd. Dover, Fl. 33527 between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm. An
          audit may only go back three (3) months, however, refunds based upon
          audit results may go back as long as a discrepancy existed.

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     The following criteria must also be met:

          A.   Date and time of audit mutually agreed upon

          B.   Audit to be conducted between 9 am to 4 pm without unreasonable
               disruption of business or year-end accounting procedures. All
               documentation will be kept on PFG FLORIDA property. No
               photocopies will be permitted to leave PFG FLORIDA property.

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                          APPENDIX A - SHELLS LOCATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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Store     Store Name      Lunch            Address                    City           State    Zip       Phone
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>                <C>    <C>                         <C>                      <C>   <C>     <C>
3       Carrollwood        No     14380 N. Dale Mabry Hwy     Tampa                    FL    33618   813-968-6686
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4       North Tampa        Yes    11010 N. 30th Street        Tampa                    FL    33612   813-977-8456
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5       Lee Road           Yes    852 Lee Road                Orlando                  FL    32810   407-628-3968
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6       Sarasota           No     7253 s. Tamiami Trail       Sarasota                 FL    34231   813-924-2568
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13      On the Beach       Yes    17855 Gulf Blvd             Redington Shores         FL    33708   813-393-8990
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14      Winter Park        Yes    221 S. Semoran Blvd.        Winter Park              FL    32792   407-657-7009
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17      Holmes Beach       No     3200 East Bay Drive         Holmes Beach             FL    34217   941-778-5997
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20      Daytona            Yes    200 S. Atlantic Avenue      Daytona Beach            FL    32118   904-258-0007
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23      Brandon            No     115 East Brandon Blvd.      Brandon                  FL    33511   813-684-4190
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25      Altamonte          No     1012 W. State Road 436      Altamonte Springs        FL    32118   407-865-6667
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26      4th Street         No     7005 4th Street North       St. Petersburg           FL    33702   813-522-9229
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27      Sunrise            Yes    2019 N. University Drive    Sunrise                  FL    33322   954-749-0557
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28      Kendall            Yes    7390 SW 117th Avenue        Miami                    FL    33183   305-274-5552
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31      Melbourne          Yes    1490 W. New Haven Ave       Melbourne                FL    32904   407-722-1122
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32      Kissimmee          Yes    3615 West Vine Street       Kissimmee                FL    34741   407-933-7757
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33      Countryside        Yes    2543 Countryside Blvd       Clearwater               FL    34621   813-797-1775
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34      Stuart             Yes    2107 SE Ocean Blvd.         Stuart                   FL    34996   561-283-1099
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35      New Smyrna         No     725 E. 3rd Avenue           New Smyrna Beach         FL    32169   904-426-0808
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36      St. Pete Beach     Yes    6300 Gulf Blvd.             St. Petersburg Beach     FL    33706   813-360-0889
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37      Ft. Myers          Yes    4606 S. Cleveland Ave       Ft. Myers                FL    33907   941-278-9011
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38      Port Charlotte     No     1900 Tamiami Trail, #109A   Port Charlotte           FL    33948   941-766-7200
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40      Winter Haven       No     1551 3rd Street SW          Winter Haven             FL    33880   941-299-7393
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41      Coral Springs      Yes    2561 University Drive       Coral Springs            FL    33065   954-345-0388
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43      Ocala              Yes    3415 SW College Road        Ocala                    FL    34474   352-873-9993
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44      Davie              Yes    2000 S. University Drive    Davie                    FL    33324   305-265-6646
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45      Ft. Lauderdale     Yes    6500 N. Federal Hwy         Ft. Lauderdale           FL    33308   954-772-4646
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47      Pembroke Pines     Yes    11825 Pines Blvd.           Pembroke Pines           FL    33026   954-436-4667
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48      West Palm Beach    Yes    2015 Okeechobee Blvd.       West Palm Beach          FL    33409   561-616-0667
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50      South Tampa        No     202 S. Dale Mabry Hwy       Tampa                    FL    33609   813-875-3467
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       18

<PAGE>

Master Distribution Agreement between SHELLS and PFG FLORIDA

This distribution agreement supersedes all other programs submitted to Shells
Seafood Restaurants, Inc. by PFG Florida.

ACCEPTED BY:                                ACCEPTED BY:
                                            Michael Colosi
(Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc.)          (PFG FLORIDA)

Warren R. Nelson                            Michael Colosi
(Please Print)                              (Please Print)

/s/ Warren R. Nelson                        /s/ Michael Colosi
---------------------------                 ---------------------------
(Signature)                                 (Signature)

Executive Vice President                    President / CEO
(Title)                                     (Title)

8/27/02                                     8/28/02
(Date)                                      (Date)

                                       19<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.53

                        Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc.
                        16313 North Dale Mabry Suite 100
                                 Tampa, FL 33618

March 20, 2003

George W. Heaton
319 Clematis Street, Suite 702
West Palm Beach, FL  33401

Dear George,

This confirms our agreement to engage you as a Consultant to assist management
of Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc. (the "Company") by providing the Company
with strategic advice with respect to the opening of new stores or the
relocation of existing stores, which may include the seeking out of additional
new restaurant sites and negotiating the leases ("Services"). The Company and
you understand that any Services to be provided by you with respect to any
particular store shall be agreed upon in advance and set forth in a writing
signed by you and the Company.

Understanding:
1.       The Consultant has no authority to bind the Company on any proposal or
         lease.
2.       The Consultant will provide a weekly progress report to the CEO.
3.       The Consultant will work with the CEO and CFO on all prospective sites
         to determine feasibility for each site, both as to location and
         financing, as requested. Consultant will take direction from CEO and
         CFO.
4.       Management, to the extent it determines necessary or worthwhile, will
         assist Consultant on "go forward" sites with demographic studies, pro
         forma operating statements and balance sheets, financial costs to open,
         renderings and so forth.
5.       Management, at its sole discretion, can approve any new site and
         proposed financing and then management will seek Board approval.
6.       Prospective stores and their financing from any source including
         realtors shall be coordinated with Consultant during the term of his
         agreement, at Management's sole discretion.
7.       This agreement is non-exclusive.

Compensation:

1.       Consultant shall be paid $5,000 per month in advance beginning as of
         March 20, 2003 and the 20th of each month during the term of this
         agreement.
2.       Consultant shall be reimbursed for all documented out-of-pocket
         expenses (not to exceed $400 per month, unless pre-approved by
         Company's President), incurred

<PAGE>

         while providing his Services. Expenses must be reasonable and related
         to Consultant's assigned functions.
3.       Any new store or relocation store approved by the Board and opened or
         relocated during Consultant's Services term and in connection with
         which Consultant provided Services pursuant to this agreement shall
         entitle Consultant to a $50,000 consulting fee when such store is
         opened or relocated, as the case may be; and such $50,000 consulting
         fee shall be considered earned and payable upon the opening of the new
         or relocated restaurant with respect to which such Services were
         provided.
4.       This agreement can be terminated at any time with thirty (30) days
         prior written notice by either party. If Consultant is terminated,
         Consultant is entitled to the $50,000 fee, if the Company thereafter
         opens a new or relocation store and the Consultant had provided
         Services with respect to such store pursuant to this agreement during
         his Services term and such Services and store were described in a
         writing signed by the Consultant and the Company in accordance with the
         first paragraph of this agreement.
5.       This Agreement expires on December 31, 2003 unless terminated earlier
         per paragraph 4 above.
6.       Consultant acknowledges that the Company will not be withholding taxes
         related to fees or commissions received. Such tax liability is the
         responsibility of the Consultant.

Sincerely,

\s\ David W.Head

David W. Head                   Accepted: \s\ George W.Heaton     3/20/03
President and CEO                         George W. Heaton         Date

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