ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 10.1

Execution Copy

Assumption Agreement

     This Assumption Agreement (this “Agreement” ) is entered into as of December 31, 2008 by Bob Evans Farms, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Successor Corporation” ), in favor of the persons or entities listed on Schedule A attached to the Note Purchase Agreement (defined below) and their successors (collectively, the “Noteholders” ), each of which is a party to (or a transferee of a party to) that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 28, 2008, among Bob Evans Farms, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Guarantor” ), and BEF Holding Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer” ), and the several Noteholders (the “Note Purchase Agreement” ). Capitalized terms used herein without definition (including, without limitation, in Exhibits A-1, A-2, B, C, D and E hereto) shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

Witnesseth:

      Whereas , pursuant to the Agreement of Merger dated as of December 31, 2008, between the Successor Corporation and the Issuer, the Issuer has been merged with and into the Successor Corporation (the “Transaction” ) and, as a result of the Transaction, the Successor Corporation has assumed all of the rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the Issuer, including, without limitation, all of the rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the Issuer under the Note Purchase Agreement;

      Whereas , the Successor Corporation, as the surviving corporation of the Transaction, shall receive direct and indirect benefits by reason of the investments made by the Noteholders under the Note Purchase Agreement (which benefits are hereby acknowledged);

      Whereas , the obligations of the Issuer under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes, have been guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor, pursuant to the terms and provisions of Section 11 of the Note Purchase Agreement (the “Parent Guaranty” ) and by the Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to that certain Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement dated as of July 28, 2008 (the “Subsidiary Guaranty” );

      Whereas , the Note Purchase Agreement requires, as a condition precedent to the consummation of the Transaction, that the Successor Corporation execute and deliver this Agreement; and

      Whereas , the Note Purchase Agreement further requires, as a condition precedent to the consummation of the Transaction, that the Parent Guarantor and the Subsidiary Guarantor each confirm in writing their respective obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Subsidiary Guaranty, as applicable.

     Now Therefore, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Successor Corporation hereby agrees as follows:

          1. Assumption . (a) The Successor Corporation, as the surviving corporation of the Transaction, hereby unconditionally and expressly assumes, confirms and agrees to perform and observe each and every one of the covenants, rights, promises, agreements, terms, conditions, obligations, duties and liabilities of the Issuer under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes and under any documents, instruments or agreements executed and delivered or furnished, or to be executed and delivered or furnished, by the Issuer in connection therewith, and to be bound by all waivers made by the Issuer with respect to any matter set forth therein.

          (b) All references to the Issuer in the Note Purchase Agreement or any Note or any document, instrument or agreement executed and delivered or furnished, or to be executed and delivered or furnished, in connection therewith shall be deemed to be references to the Successor Corporation, except for references to the Issuer relating to its status prior to the consummation of the Transaction. Upon the written request of any holder of Notes, the Successor Corporation will issue a replacement Note in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, as applicable (each, a “Replacement Note” and collectively, the “Replacement Notes” ), in exchange for such holder’s existing Note within 10 Business Days of any such request.

          2. Representations and Warranties . The Successor Corporation hereby accepts and assumes all obligations and liabilities of the Issuer related to each representation or warranty made by the Issuer in the Note Purchase Agreement or any other document, instrument or agreement executed and delivered or furnished in connection therewith. The Successor Corporation further represents, warrants and affirms for the benefit of the Noteholders that:

          (a) The representations and warranties set forth in Exhibit B hereto are true and correct as of the date hereof after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby;

          (b) Immediately after giving effect to the Transaction, (i) the Successor Corporation and the Parent Guarantor would have been in compliance with Section 10.3 of the Note Purchase Agreement as of October 24, 2008, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, will occur under the Note Purchase Agreement; and

          (c) The Successor Corporation is a solvent corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio.

          3. Opinions of Counsel . The Noteholders shall receive opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Noteholders from counsel to the Successor Corporation substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

          4. Further Assurances . At any time and from time to time, upon any Noteholder’s request and at the sole expense of the Successor Corporation, the Successor Corporation will promptly execute and deliver any and all further instruments and

documents and will take such further action as such Noteholder may reasonably deem necessary to effect the purposes of this Agreement.

          5. Requisite Approval; Fees. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above upon the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent: (a) the Successor Corporation shall have executed this Agreement and delivered a duly executed copy of this Agreement to the Noteholders; (b) the Parent Guarantor shall have executed and delivered the acknowledgment, consent and ratification of the Note Purchase Agreement to the Noteholders, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D ; (c) the Subsidiary Guarantor shall have executed and delivered the acknowledgment, consent and ratification of the Subsidiary Guaranty to the Noteholders, in the form attached hereto a Exhibit E ; and (d) the Successor Corporation shall have paid all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Noteholders in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of Chapman and Cutler LLP which are reflected in statements of counsel rendered on or prior to the date of this Agreement.

          6. Amendment, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective, unless the same shall be in writing and executed in accordance with the provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement.

          7. Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Successor Corporation, and shall inure to the benefit of the Noteholders and their respective successors and assigns.

          8. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

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      In Witness Whereof , the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer on the date first above written.