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Sample Business Contracts

Stockholders Agreement - Sealy Corp. and Bain Capital

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                             STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------

     This STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT is dated as of December 18, 1997, by and among
Sealy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"); Bain Capital Fund V,
                                                -------                        
L.P. ("Bain Fund V"); Bain Capital Fund V-B, L.P. ("Bain Fund V-B"); BCIP
       -----------                                  -------------        
Associates ("BCIP"); BCIP Trust Associates, L.P. ("BCIP Trust"); Harvard Private
             ----                                  ----------                   
Capital Holdings, Inc. ("Harvard");Sealy Investors 1, LLC ("SILLC 1"); Sealy
                         -------                            -------         
Investors 2, LLC ("SILLC 2"); Sealy Investors 3, LLC ("SILLC 3"); Zell/Chilmark
                   -------                             -------                 
Fund, L.P. ("Zell"); and Randolph Street Partners II ("Randolph").
             ----                                      --------   

     On October 30, 1997, the Company, Sandman Merger Corporation, a transitory
Delaware merger corporation ("Sandman"), and Zell entered into an Agreement and
                              -------                                          
Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which, simultaneous with the
                     ----------------                                           
execution of this Agreement, Sandman merged with and into the Company (such
merger, the "Merger") with the Company as the surviving corporation.
             ------                                                 

     Immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement, Bain Fund V, Bain
Fund V-B, BCIP, BCIP Trust, Harvard, SILLC 1, SILLC 2, SILLC 3 and Randolph
purchased a number of shares of Sandman's common stock ("Sandman Shares")
                                                         --------------  
pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among
such Persons (as defined below) and Sandman.

     In connection with the Merger (i) certain shares of the Company's preferred
stock owned by Zell have been converted into a Junior Subordinated Promissory
Note and a number of shares of the Company's Common Stock and (ii) the Sandman
Shares have been converted into a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock.

     The Company and the Stockholders (as defined below) desire to enter into
this Agreement for the purposes, among others, of (i) establishing the
composition of the Board (as defined below), (ii) assuring continuity in the
management and ownership of the Company and (iii) limiting the manner and terms
by which the Stockholder Shares (as defined below) may be transferred.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
 
     1.  Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the
         -----------                                                     
following meanings:

     "Affiliate" means, when used with reference to a specified Person, any
      ---------                                                            
Person that directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with the specified Person.  As used in this definition, "control"
(including, with its correlative meanings, "controlled
<PAGE>
 
by" and "under common control with") shall mean possession, directly or
indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies
(whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership
interests, by contract or otherwise).  With respect to any Person who is an
individual, "Affiliates" shall also include, without limitation, any member of
such individual's Family Group.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of
this Agreement, any Person who is an administrative member of a limited
liability company and who owns less than 10% of such limited liability company's
membership interests shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of such limited
liability company.

     "Bain Fund" means any of Bain Fund V, Bain Fund V-B, BCIP, BCIP Trust, or
      ---------                                                               
Randolph.

     "Bain Investor" means any Bain Fund or any of their respective Permitted
      -------------                                                          
Transferees.

     "Bain Shares" means all Stockholder Shares issued or issuable to any Bain
      -----------                                                             
Investor.

     "Board" means the Company's board of directors.
      -----                                         

     "Class A Common" means the Company's Class A Common Stock, par value $.01
      --------------                                                          
per share.

     "Class B Common" means the Company's Class B Common Stock, par value $.01
      --------------                                                          
per share.

     "Class L Common" means the Company's Class L Common Stock, par value $.01
      --------------                                                          
per share.

     "Class M Common" means the Company's Class M Common Stock, par value $.01
      --------------                                                          
per share.

     "Common Stock" means collectively Class A Common, Class B Common, Class L
      ------------                                                            
Common, Class M Common and any other common stock authorized by the Company.

     "Family Group" means, with respect to any Person who is an individual, (i)
      ------------                                                             
such Person's spouse, former spouse and descendants (whether natural or
adopted), parents and their descendants and any spouse of the foregoing persons
(collectively, "relatives") or (ii) the trustee, fiduciary or personal
representative of such Person and any trust solely for the benefit of such
Person and/or such Person's relatives.

     "Harvard Investor" means any of Harvard or any of its Permitted
      ----------------                                              
Transferees.

     "Harvard Shares" means all Stockholder Shares issued or issuable to any
      --------------                                                        
Harvard Investor.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     "Investor" means any Bain Investor, any Harvard Investor or any SILLC
      --------                                                            
Investor.

     "Investors" means collectively the Bain Investors, the Harvard Investors
      ---------                                                              
and the SILLC Investors.

     "Investor Shares" means all Stockholder Shares issued or issuable to any
      ---------------                                                        
Investor.

     "Permitted Transferee" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e)(ii)
      --------------------                                               
hereof.

     "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited
      ------                                                              
liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint
venture, an unincorporated organization, a governmental entity or any
department, agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity or
organization.

     "Public Offering" means an underwritten public offering and sale of the
      ---------------                                                       
Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act; provided that a Public Offering shall not include an offering
made in connection with a business acquisition or combination or an employee
benefit plan.

     "Public Sale" means any sale of Stockholder Shares to the public pursuant
      -----------                                                             
to an offering registered under the Securities Act or to the public pursuant to
the provisions of Rule 144 (or any similar rule or rules then in effect) under
the Securities Act.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
      ---                                               

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
      --------------                                               

     "SILLC Investor" means any of SILLC 1, SILLC 2, SILLC 3 or any of their
      --------------                                                        
respective Permitted Transferees.

     "SILLC Shares" means all Stockholder Shares issued or issuable to any SILLC
      ------------                                                              
Investor.

     "Stockholder" means any of the Stockholders.
      -----------                                

     "Stockholder Shares" means (i) all shares of Common Stock held, directly or
      ------------------                                                        
indirectly, by the Stockholders, and (ii) all equity securities issued or
issuable directly or indirectly with respect to any Common Stock referred to in
clause (i) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with
a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization.  As to any particular shares constituting Stockholder Shares,
such shares will cease to be Stockholder Shares when they have been Transferred
in a Public Sale.

     "Stockholders" means collectively the Investors and the Zell Holders.
      ------------                                                        

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
      ----------                                                     
partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity of
which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of
stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in
the election of directors thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly
or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability
company, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or
other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that
Person or a combination thereof.  For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall
be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, limited
liability company, association or other business entity if such Person or
Persons shall be allocated a majority of partnership, limited liability company,
association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the
managing director, managing member, manager or a general partner of such
partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity.

     "Transfer" means any voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect sale,
      --------                                                              
transfer, conveyance, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, gift, delivery or other
disposition.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion by any Stockholder
of any shares of any class of Common Stock into any other class of Common Stock
shall not be deemed a "Transfer" for purposes of this Agreement, provided that
such Stockholder continues to own such converted shares immediately after such
conversion.

     "Unaffiliated Third Party" means any Person who, immediately prior to the
      ------------------------                                                
contemplated transaction, (i) is not a Person who directly or indirectly owns in
excess of 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully-diluted basis
(a "5% Owner"), (ii) is not controlling, controlled by or under common control
    --------                                                                  
with any such 5% Owner and (iii) is not the spouse or descendent (by birth or
adoption) of any such 5% Owner or a trust for the benefit of such 5% Owner
and/or such other Persons.

     "Zell Holder" means any of Zell or any of its Permitted Transferees.
      -----------                                                        

     "Zell Shares" means all Stockholder Shares issued or issuable to any Zell
      -----------                                                             
Holder.

     2.  Board of Directors.
         ------------------ 

     (a) To the extent permitted by law, each Stockholder shall vote all voting
securi ties of the Company over which such Stockholder has voting control, and
shall take all other necessary or desirable actions within such Stockholder's
control (whether in such Stockholder's capacity as a stockholder, director,
member of a board committee or officer of the Company or otherwise, and
including, without limitation, attendance at meetings in person or by proxy for
purposes of obtaining a quorum and execution of written consents in lieu of
meetings), and the Company shall take all necessary and desirable actions within
its control (including, without limitation, calling special board and
shareholder meetings), so that:

          (i) the authorized number of directors of the Board shall be seven;

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          (ii) holders of record of a majority of the Bain Shares entitled to
     vote for directors of the Board will designate three (3) of the seven total
     directors of the Board (each a "Bain Director") (the three Bain Directors
                                     -------------                            
     shall initially be Joshua Bekenstein, Paul Edgerley and Michael Krupka);

          (iii)  prior to the consummation of an initial Public Offering, so
     long as Harvard and its Affiliates  (and not any of their respective
     assigns) own at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, Harvard
     and its Affiliates who own Stockholder Shares (and not any of their
     respective assigns) will designate one of the seven total directors of the
     Board (the "Harvard Director") (the Harvard Director shall initially be
                 ----------------                                           
     John M. Sallay);

          (iv) any director designated pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above
     shall be removed from the Board or any committee thereof (with or without
     cause) at the written request of the Stockholder or Stockholders which have
     the right to designate such director hereunder, but only upon such written
     request and under no other circumstances (in each case, determined on the
     basis specified in clause (ii) or (iii) above, as the case may be);

          (v) in the event that any director designated hereunder for any reason
     ceases to serve as a member of the Board or any committee thereof during
     such director's term of office, the resulting vacancy on the Board or
     committee shall be filled by a director designated by the Stockholders
     referred to in clause (ii) or (iii) above, as the case may be;

          (vi) at the Board's election, the composition of the board of
     directors (or any similar governing body) of any of the Company's
     Subsidiaries shall be the same as the Board; and

          (vii)  no executive committee of the Board shall have the authority to
     (1) declare dividends of the Company, (2) authorize the issuance of capital
     stock of the Company (other than to directors, officers or employees of the
     Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to benefit plans), (3) authorize the
     execution by the Company of any merger, consolidation or recapitalization
     agreement or any agreement to sell all or substantially all of the assets
     of the Company, (4) authorize the refinancing of any of the material
     indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (5)
     authorize any material acquisition of another Person or substantially all
     of the assets of another Person, (6) authorize the creation of any material
     Subsidiary of the Company which is not directly or indirectly wholly-owned
     by the Company, or (7) authorize capital expenditures individually or in
     the aggregate during any applicable period $10 million in excess of the
     capital expenditures provided for in the applicable budget or budgets of
     the Company  and its Subsidiaries approved by the Board. For purposes of
     this clause (vii), the terms "material" and "materially" shall refer to an
     amount or a valuation in excess of $50 million.

     (b) The Company shall reimburse the directors of the Board for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses borne by such directors in connection with the
performance of their duties as directors of the Company. In addition, the
Company shall pay such additional compensation to 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
the directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Stockholder as the Board
so determines.

     (c) If any party fails to designate in writing a representative to fill a
director position pursuant to the terms of this Section 2, the election of a
Person to such director position shall be accomplished in accordance with the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws and applicable law.  In the
event that, at any time, any provision of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation or by-laws is inconsistent with the requirements of any provision
of this Section 2, the Stockholders shall take such action as may be necessary
to amend any such provision in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or by-
laws, as the case may be, to conform with such requirements.

     3.   Conflicting Agreements.  Each Stockholder represents that such
          ----------------------                                        
Stockholder has not granted and is not a party to any proxy, voting trust or
other agreement which is inconsistent with or conflicts with the provisions of
this Agreement, and no holder of Stockholder Shares shall grant any proxy or
become party to any voting trust or other agreement which is inconsistent with
or conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement.

     4.   Restrictions on Transfer of Stockholder Shares.
          ---------------------------------------------- 

     (a)  General Restrictions.
          -------------------- 

          (i) Prior to the earlier of (x) the tenth anniversary of the date
     hereof and (y) the first day after the period commencing on the date hereof
     and ending on the day the Company's financial statements are filed with the
     SEC for the first full fiscal quarter after the Company issues any
     securities to the public pursuant to a filing with the SEC, subject to
     Section 7 hereof, a Zell Holder may Transfer Stockholder Shares only (A) if
     such Zell Holder is exercising a tag-along right granted to such Zell
     Holder pursuant to Section 4(d), then to any Person, provided, that such
                                                          --------           
     Person shall have complied with the requirements of Section 4(e)(ii), or
     (B) pursuant to the terms of Section 5.

          (ii) On or after the earlier of (x) the tenth anniversary of the date
     hereof and (y) the first day after the period commencing on the date hereof
     and ending on the day the Company's financial statements are filed with the
     SEC for the first full fiscal quarter after the Company issues any
     securities to the public pursuant to a filing with the SEC, subject to
     Section 7 hereof, a Zell Holder may Transfer Stockholder Shares only (A) in
     Public Sales, (B) if such Zell Holder has complied with the terms and
     requirements of Section 4(c) or if such Zell Holder is exercising a tag-
     along right granted to such Zell Holder pursuant to Section 4(d), then to
     any Person, provided, that such Person shall have complied with the
                 --------                                               
     requirements of Section 4(e)(ii), or (C) pursuant to the terms of Section
     5.

          (iii)  Subject to Section 7 hereof, an Investor may Transfer
     Stockholder Shares only (A) in Public Sales, (B) if such Investor has
     complied with the terms and requirements of Sections 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d),
     to the extent applicable, or if such Investor is exercising a tag-along
     right granted to such Investor pursuant to Section 4(d), then to any
     Person, 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     provided, that such Person shall have complied with the requirements of
     --------                                               
     Section 4(e)(ii), or (C) pursuant to the terms of Section 5.

          (b) Right of First Offer granted to Harvard.  Subject to Section
              ---------------------------------------                     
4(e)(i) (all terms defined in this Section 4(b) shall be for purposes of this
Section 4(b) only):

          (i) If at any time any Bain Investor (a "Selling Holder") proposes to
                                                   --------------              
     Transfer any Stockholder Shares (other than pursuant to a Public Sale, or
     pursuant to the terms of Section 5), then such Selling Holder will, not
     fewer than fifteen (15) business days prior to making such Transfer, give
     notice  (the "Proposed Transfer Notice") to Harvard and its Affiliates who
                   ------------------------                                    
     then own Stockholder Shares (and not any of their respective assigns) and
     to the Company specifying the Stockholder Shares proposed to be Transferred
     (the "Offered Shares").
           --------------   

          (ii) At any time within ten (10) business days after delivery of the
     Proposed Transfer Notice (the "Exercise Period") Harvard and its Affiliates
                                    ---------------                             
     who then own Stockholder Shares (and not any of their respective assigns)
     (the "Offering Holder") may notify the Selling Holder and the Company in
           ---------------                                                   
     writing of their offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of the Offered Shares
                                  -----                                        
     and the price (the "Offered Price") and the other terms and conditions upon
                         -------------                                          
     which such Offering Holder proposes to purchase such Offered Shares (such
     offer must be solely for cash) (the "Offer Notice").  The Offer Notice will
                                          ------------                          
     constitute an irrevocable offer by the Offering Holder to acquire the
     Offered Shares from the Selling Holder at the Offered Price and on the
     terms specified in the Offer Notice.

          (iii)    At any time during the 60 day period commencing upon the
     expiration of the Exercise Period, the Selling Holder may

                (A)  if an Offer Notice has been delivered to the Selling Holder
          during the applicable Exercise Period, then (x) deliver notice to the
          Offering Holder accepting the applicable Offer (the "Acceptance
                                                               ----------
          Notice") or (y) provided the Selling Holder has also complied with any
          applicable provisions of Section 4(d) and no transferee is an
          Affiliate of the Selling Holder, Transfer all (unless reduced pursuant
          to the exercise of rights granted to other Stockholders in Section
          4(d)) of the Offered Shares, at a price which is greater than the
          price specified in the Offer Notice and on other terms and conditions
          which are not in the aggregate more favorable to the transferee
          thereof than those specified in the Offer Notice, to any Person(s), or

               (B)  if an Offer Notice has not been delivered to the Selling
          Holder during the applicable Exercise Period, then, provided the
          Selling Holder has also complied with any applicable provisions of
          Section 4(d) and no transferee is an Affiliate of the Selling Holder,
          Transfer all (unless reduced pursuant to the exercise of rights
          granted to other Stockholders in Section 4(d)) of the Offered Shares
          to any Person(s).

          (iv) Upon the proper delivery of an Acceptance Notice, the Offering
     Holder and the Selling Holder shall be firmly bound to consummate the
     purchase and sale of the Offered 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and the applicable Proposed
     Transfer Notice, Offer Notice and Acceptance Notice. Subject to the
     provisions hereof, within sixty (60) days after the Offering Holder's
     receipt of the applicable Acceptance Notice, the Offering Holder shall
     purchase and the Selling Holder shall sell all of the Offered Shares at a
     mutually agreeable time and place (the "Offered Shares Closing").
                                             ----------------------
     

          (v) At the Offered Shares Closing, the Selling Holder shall deliver to
     the Offering Holder certificates representing the Offered Shares to be
     purchased by the Offering Holder, duly endorsed with signature guaranteed,
     and the Offering Holder shall deliver to the Selling Holder the Offered
     Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
     designated by such Selling Holder.

          (vi) Any Offered Shares not transferred within the applicable time
     periods specified above will again be subject to the provisions of this
     Section 4(b) upon any subsequent proposed Transfer.

          (vii)  The provisions of this Section 4(b) shall terminate upon the
     earlier of (x) the consummation of an initial Public Offering or (y) the
     date upon which Harvard and its Affiliates (and not any of their respective
     assigns) cease to own at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Common
     Stock.

          (c) Right of First Offer granted to the Company and the Bain
              --------------------------------------------------------
Investors.  Subject to Section 4(e)(i) (all terms defined in this Section 4(c)
shall be for purposes of this Section 4(c) only):

          (i) If at any time any Harvard Investor, any SILLC Investor or any
     Zell Holder (a "Selling Holder") proposes to Transfer any Stockholder
                     --------------                                       
     Shares (other than pursuant to a Public Sale, or pursuant to the terms of
     Section 5), then such Selling Holder will, not fewer than twenty (20)
     business days prior to making such Transfer, give notice  (the "Proposed
                                                                     --------
     Transfer Notice") to the Bain Investors and to the Company specifying the
     ---------------                                                          
     Stockholder Shares proposed to be Transferred (the "Offered Shares").
                                                         --------------   

          (ii) At any time within eight (8) business days after delivery of the
     Proposed Transfer Notice (the "Company Exercise Period") the Company may
                                    -----------------------                  
     notify the Selling Holder and the Bain Investors in writing of its offer
     (the "Company Offer") to purchase all of the Offered Shares and the price
           -------------                                                      
     (the "Company Offered Price") and the other terms and conditions upon which
           ---------------------                                                
     the Company proposes to purchase such Offered Shares (such offer must be
     solely for cash) (the "Company Offer Notice").  The Company Offer Notice
                            --------------------                             
     will constitute an irrevocable offer, subject to financing, by the Company
     to acquire the Offered Shares from the Selling Holder at the Company
     Offered Price and on the terms specified in the Company Offer Notice.

          (iii)  If the Company has not delivered a Company Offer Notice or if
     holders of a majority of the Bain Shares then outstanding (collectively,
     the "Bain Offering Holder") desire to offer a price in excess of the
          --------------------                                           
     Company Offered Price for the Offered Shares, then, 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     at any time during the eight (8) business day period commencing upon the
     expiration of the Company Exercise Period (the "Bain Exercise Period"), the
                                                     --------------------    
     Bain Offering Holder may notify the Selling Holder and the Company in
     writing of their offer (the "Bain Offer") to purchase all of the Offered
                                  -----------              
     Shares and the price (the "Bain Offered Price") and the other terms and
                                -------------------      
     conditions upon which the Bain Offering Holder proposes to purchase such
     Offered Shares (such offer must be solely for cash) (the "Bain Offer
                                                               ----------
     Notice"). The Bain Offer Notice will constitute an irrevocable offer by 
     -------                          
     the Bain Offering Holder to acquire the Offered Shares from the Selling
     Holder at the Bain Offered Price and on the terms specified in the Bain
     Offer Notice.

          (iv)   At any time during the 60 day period commencing upon the
     expiration of the Bain Exercise Period, the Selling Holder may

               (A)  if a Company Offer Notice has been delivered to the Selling
          Holder during the applicable Company Exercise Period and a Bain Offer
          Notice has not been delivered to the Selling Holder during the
          applicable Bain Exercise Period, then (x) deliver notice to the
          Company accepting the applicable Company Offer (an "Acceptance
                                                              ----------
          Notice") or (y) provided the Selling Holder has also complied with any
          applicable provisions of Section 4(d) and no transferee is an
          Affiliate of the Selling Holder, Transfer all (unless reduced pursuant
          to the exercise of rights granted to other Stockholders in Section
          4(d)) of the Offered Shares, at a price which is greater than the
          price specified in the Company Offer Notice and on other terms and
          conditions which are not in the aggregate more favorable to the
          transferee thereof than those specified in the Company Offer Notice,
          to any Person(s), or

               (B)  if a Bain Offer Notice has been delivered to the Selling
          Holder during the applicable Bain Exercise Period, then (x) deliver
          notice to the Bain Offering Holder accepting the applicable Bain Offer
          (also, an "Acceptance Notice") or (y) provided the Selling Holder has
                     -----------------                                         
          also complied with any applicable provisions of Section 4(d) and no
          transferee is an Affiliate of the Selling Holder, Transfer all (unless
          reduced pursuant to the exercise of rights granted to other
          Stockholders in Section 4(d)) of the Offered Shares, at a price which
          is greater than the price specified in the Bain Offer Notice and on
          other terms and conditions which are not in the aggregate more
          favorable to the transferee thereof than those specified in the Bain
          Offer Notice, to any Person(s), or

               (C) if a Company Offer Notice has not been delivered to the
          Selling Holder during the applicable Company Exercise Period and a
          Bain Offer Notice has not been delivered to the Selling Holder during
          the applicable Bain Exercise Period, then, provided the Selling Holder
          has also complied with any applicable provisions of Section 4(d) and
          no transferee is an Affiliate of the Selling Holder, Transfer all
          (unless reduced pursuant to the exercise of rights granted to other
          Stockholders in Section 4(d)) of the Offered Shares to any Person(s).

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
          (v) Upon the proper delivery of an Acceptance Notice, the Company or
     the Bain Offering Holder, as the case may be, and the Selling Holder shall
     be firmly bound (in the case of the Company, subject to financing but only
     so long as such financing is obtained within 30 days after receipt of the
     applicable Acceptance Notice) to consummate the purchase and sale of the
     Offered Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and the applicable
     Proposed Transfer Notice, Company or Bain Offer Notice, as the case may be,
     and Acceptance Notice.  Subject to the provisions hereof, within sixty (60)
     days after the Company's or the Bain Offering Holder's, as the case may be,
     receipt of the applicable Acceptance Notice, the Company or the Bain
     Offering Holder, as the case may be, shall purchase and the Selling Holder
     shall sell all of the Offered Shares at a mutually agreeable time and place
     (the "Offered Shares Closing").
           ----------------------   

          (vi) At the Offered Shares Closing, the Selling Holder shall deliver
     to the Company or the Offering Holder, as the case may be, certificates
     representing the Offered Shares to be purchased by the Company or the Bain
     Offering Holder, as the case may be, duly endorsed with signature
     guaranteed, and the Company or the Bain Offering Holder, as the case may
     be, shall deliver to the Selling Holder the Offered Price by wire transfer
     of immediately available funds to an account designated by such Selling
     Holder.

          (vii)  Any Offered Shares not Transferred within the applicable time
     periods specified above will again be subject to the provisions of this
     Section 4(c) upon any subsequent proposed Transfer.

          (viii)  The provision of this Section 4(c) shall terminate upon the
     consummation of an initial Public Offering.

          (d)  Tag Along Rights.
               ---------------- 

          (i) Tag Along Rights in the event of certain Transfers by the Bain
              --------------------------------------------------------------
     Investors. Subject to Section 4(e)(i), at least 10 business days prior to
     ---------                                                                
     the Transfer (or series of Transfers) by any of the Bain Investors
     (collectively, the "Bain Transferring Stockholder") of any Bain Shares
                         -----------------------------                     
     representing more than 10% of the outstanding Bain Shares to a Person that
     is not an Affiliate of any Bain Transferring Stockholder (other than
     pursuant to a Public Sale, pursuant to the terms of Section 5, a Transfer
     to any Harvard Investor pursuant to the terms of Section 4(b), or a
     Transfer by any limited partner of any of the Bain Funds), the Bain
     Transferring Stockholder shall deliver a written notice (the "Bain Sale
                                                                   ---------
     Notice") to the Harvard Investors and the SILLC Investors (collectively,
     ------                                                                  
     the "HS Other Investors") and to the Company, specifying in reasonable
          ------------------                                               
     detail the identity of the prospective transferee(s), the class and the
     number of the Stockholder Shares to be Transferred, and the other material
     terms and conditions of such contemplated Transfer; provided, that such
                                                         --------           
     Bain Sale Notice may only be delivered after the applicable Exercise Period
     referred to in Section 4(b) has expired or been waived. Any of the HS Other
     Investors may elect to participate in such contemplated Transfer by
     delivering written notice to the Bain Transferring Stockholder within 5
     business days after its receipt of the Bain Sale Notice. If any of the HS
     Other Investors elects to participate in such Transfer, each of the Bain
     Transferring Stockholder 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     and such HS Other Investors shall be entitled to sell in such contemplated
     Transfer, at the same price and on the same terms, a number of each class
     of Stockholder Shares to be Transferred equal to the product of (x) the
     quotient determined by dividing the percentage of such class of Stockholder
     Shares owned by such Stockholder by the aggregate percentage of such class
     of Stockholder Shares owned by the Stockholders (including the Bain
     Transferring Stockholder) participating in such contemplated Transfer and
     (y) the aggregate number of Stockholder Shares of such class to be sold in
     such contemplated Transfer. Each Stockholder Transferring Stockholder
     Shares pursuant to this Section 4(d)(i) shall pay its pro rata share (based
     on the number of Stockholder Shares to be sold) of the expenses incurred by
     the Stockholders in connection with such Transfer and shall take all
     necessary and desirable actions as reasonably directed by the Bain
     Transferring Stockholder in connection with the consummation of such
     Transfer, including without limitation executing the applicable purchase
     agreement; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, each Stockholder
                --------                                                       
     Transferring Stockholder Shares pursuant to this Section 4(d)(i) shall only
     be responsible for its pro rata share (based upon the number of Stockholder
     Shares to be Transferred) of any indemnification obligations of all such
     Stockholders in connection with such Transfer.

          (ii) Tag Along Rights in the event of certain Transfers by the SILLC
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Investors. Subject to Section 4(e)(i), at least 10 business days prior to
     ---------                                                                
     the Transfer (or series of Transfers) by any of the SILLC Investors
     (collectively, the "SILLC Transferring Stockholder") of any SILLC Shares
                         ------------------------------                      
     representing more than 10% of the outstanding SILLC Shares to a Person that
     is not an Affiliate of any SILLC Transferring Stockholder (other than
     pursuant to a Public Sale, pursuant to the terms of Section 5, or a
     Transfer to the Company or any Bain Investor pursuant to the terms of
     Section 4(c)), the SILLC Transferring Stockholder shall deliver a written
     notice (the "SILLC Sale Notice") to the Harvard Investors and the Bain
                  -----------------                                        
     Investors (collectively, the "HB Other Investors") and to the Company,
                                   ------------------                      
     specifying in reasonable detail the identity of the prospective
     transferee(s), the class and the number of the Stockholder Shares to be
     Transferred, and the other material terms and condi  tions of such
     contemplated Transfer; provided, that such SILLC Sale Notice may only be
                            --------                                         
     delivered after the applicable Bain Exercise Period referred to in Section
     4(c) has expired or been waived.  Any of the HB Other Investors may elect
     to participate in such contemplated Transfer by delivering written notice
     to the SILLC Transferring Stockholder within 5 business days after its
     receipt of the SILLC Sale Notice.  If any of the HB Other Investors elects
     to participate in such Transfer, each of the SILLC Transferring Stockholder
     and such HB Other Investors shall be entitled to sell in such contemplated
     Transfer, at the same price and on the same terms, a number of each class
     of Stockholder Shares to be Transferred equal to the product of (x) the
     quotient determined by dividing the percentage of such class of Stockholder
     Shares owned by such Stockholder by the aggregate percentage of such class
     of Stockholder Shares owned by the Stockholders (including the SILLC
     Transferring Stockholder) participating in such contemplated Transfer and
     (y) the aggregate number of Stockholder Shares of such class to be sold in
     such contemplated Transfer. Each Stockholder Transferring Stockholder
     Shares pursuant to this Section 4(d)(ii) shall pay its pro rata share
     (based on the number of Stockholder Shares to be sold) of the expenses
     incurred by the Stockholders in connection with such Transfer and shall
     take all necessary 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     and desirable actions as reasonably directed by the SILLC Transferring
     Stockholder in connection with the consummation of such Transfer, including
     without limitation executing the applicable purchase agreement; provided,
                                                                     -------- 
     that, notwithstanding the foregoing, each Stockholder Transferring
     Stockholder Shares pursuant to this Section 4(d)(ii) shall only be
     responsible for its pro rata share (based upon the number of Stockholder
     Shares to be Transferred) of any indemnification obligations of all such
     Stockholders in connection with such Transfer.

          (iii)  Tag Along Rights in the event of certain Transfers by the
                 ---------------------------------------------------------
     Harvard Investors. Subject to Section 4(e)(i), at least 10 business days
     -----------------                                                       
     prior to the Transfer (or series of Transfers) by any of the Harvard
     Investors (collectively, the "Harvard Transferring Stockholder") of any
                                   --------------------------------         
     Harvard Shares representing more than 10% of the outstanding Harvard Shares
     to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Harvard Transferring
     Stockholder (other than pursuant to a Public Sale, pursuant to the terms of
     Section 5, or a Transfer to the Company or any Bain Investor pursuant to
     the terms of Section 4(c)), the Harvard Transferring Stockholder shall
     deliver a written notice (the "Harvard Sale Notice") to the SILLC Investors
                                    -------------------                         
     and the Bain Investors (collectively, the "SB Other Investors") and to the
                                                ------------------             
     Company, specifying in reasonable detail the identity of the prospective
     transferee(s), the class and the number of the Stockholder Shares to be
     Transferred, and the other material terms and conditions of such
     contemplated Transfer; provided, that such Harvard Sale Notice may only be
                            --------                                           
     delivered after the applicable Bain Exercise Period referred to in Section
     4(c) has expired or been waived.  Any of the SB Other Investors may elect
     to participate in such contemplated Transfer by delivering written notice
     to the Harvard Transferring Stockholder within 5 business days after its
     receipt of the Harvard Sale Notice.  If any of the SB Other Investors
     elects to participate in such Transfer, each of the Harvard Transferring
     Stockholder and such SB Other Investors shall be entitled to sell in such
     contemplated Transfer, at the same price and on the same terms, a number of
     each class of Stockholder Shares to be Transferred equal to the product of
     (x) the quotient determined by dividing the percentage of such class of
     Stockholder Shares owned by such Stockholder by the aggregate percentage of
     such class of Stockholder Shares owned by the Stockholders (including the
     Harvard Transferring Stockholder) participating in such contemplated
     Transfer and (y) the aggregate number of Stockholder Shares of such class
     to be sold in such contemplated Transfer.  Each Stockholder Transferring
     Stockholder Shares pursuant to this Section 4(d)(iii) shall pay its pro
     rata share (based on the number of Stockholder Shares to be sold) of the
     expenses incurred by the Stockholders in connection with such Transfer and
     shall take all necessary and desirable actions as reasonably directed by
     the Harvard Transferring Stockholder in connection with the consummation of
     such Transfer, including without limitation executing the applicable
     purchase agreement; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, each
                         --------                                           
     Stockholder Transferring Stockholder Shares pursuant to this Section
     4(d)(iii) shall only be responsible for its pro rata share (based upon the
     number of Stockholder Shares to be Transferred) of any indemnification
     obligations of all such Stockholders in connection with such Transfer.

          (iv) Tag Along Rights granted to the Zell Holders.  Subject to Section
               --------------------------------------------                     
     4(e)(i), at least 10 business days prior to the Transfer (or series of
     related Transfers) by one or more 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
     of the Investors (collectively, the "Transferring Stockholder") of any
                                          -------------------------     
     Stockholder Shares representing more than a majority of the voting
     Stockholder Shares then owned by all Investors to an Unaffiliated Third
     Party (other than pursuant to a Public Sale, pursuant to the terms of
     Section 5, a Transfer to Harvard or any of its Affiliates pursuant to the
     terms of Section 4(b), or a Transfer to the Company or any Bain Investor
     pursuant to the terms of Section 4(c)), the Transferring Stockholder shall
     deliver a written notice (the "Sale Notice") to the Zell Holders and to 
                                    -----------  
     the Company, specifying in reasonable detail the identity of the
     prospective transferee(s), the class and the number of the Stockholder
     Shares to be Transferred, and the other material terms and conditions of
     such contemplated Transfer. Any of the Zell Holders may elect to
     participate in such contemplated Transfer by delivering written notice to
     the Transferring Stockholder within 5 business days after its receipt of
     the Sale Notice. If any of the Zell Holders elects to participate in such
     Transfer, each of the Transferring Stockholder and such Zell Holders shall
     be entitled to sell in such contemplated Transfer, at the same price and on
     the same terms, a number of each class of Stockholder Shares to be
     Transferred equal to the product of (x) the quotient determined by dividing
     the percentage of such class of Stockholder Shares owned by such
     Stockholder by the aggregate percentage of such class of Stockholder Shares
     owned by the Stockholders (including the Transferring Stockholder)
     participating in such contemplated Transfer and (y) the aggregate number of
     Stockholder Shares of such class to be sold in such contemplated Transfer.
     Each Stockholder Transferring Stockholder Shares pursuant to this Section
     4(d)(iv) shall pay its pro rata share (based on the number of Stockholder
     Shares to be sold) of the expenses incurred by the Stockholders in
     connection with such Transfer and shall take all necessary and desirable
     actions as reasonably directed by the Transferring Stockholder in
     connection with the consummation of such Transfer, including without
     limitation executing the applicable purchase agreement; provided, that,
                                                             -------- 
     notwithstanding the foregoing, each Stockholder Transferring Stockholder
     Shares pursuant to this Section 4(d)(iv) shall only be responsible for its
     pro rata share (based upon the number of Stockholder Shares to be
     Transferred) of any indemnification obligations of all such Stockholders in
     connection with such Transfer.

          (v) For purposes of this Section 4(d), (x) Class A Common and Class B
     Common shall be deemed to be the same class of Stockholder Shares and (y)
     Class L Common and Class M Common shall be deemed to be the same class of
     Stockholder Shares; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing,
                         --------  -------                                      
     Class B Common and Class M Common shall not be deemed voting Stockholder
     Shares for purposes of clause (iv) above.

          (vi) The provisions of this Section 4(d) shall terminate upon the
     consummation of an initial Public Offering; provided that, notwithstanding
                                                 --------                      
     the foregoing, Harvard Investors' rights pursuant to Section 4(d)(i) and
     the Bain Investors' rights pursuant to Section 4(d)(iii) shall continue to
     survive until Bain Fund V and Bain Fund V-B each has completed a
     distribution of all Stockholder Shares held by such Bain Funds to their
     respective partners.

          (e)  Permitted Transfers.
               ------------------- 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
          (i) The restrictions contained in Sections 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d)
     shall not apply with respect to any Transfer of Stockholder Shares by any
     Stockholder (A) in the case of an individual Stockholder, pursuant to
     applicable laws of descent and distribution or to any member of such
     Stockholder's Family Group, (B) in the case of a non-individual
     Stockholder, to its Affiliates, (C) in the case of any Bain Fund, after the
     earlier to occur of the second anniversary of the date hereof and the
     consummation of an initial Public Offering, to its partners in connection
     with a distribution of all the Stockholder Shares held by each such Bain
     Fund, (D) in the case of Zell to its partners in connection with a
     distribution of all the Stockholder Shares held by Zell and (E) in the case
     of any Regulated Stockholder (as such term is defined in Section 10)
     pursuant to Section 10(b)(i); provided, in each case, that any such
                                   --------                             
     transferee shall have complied with the requirements of Section 4(e)(ii).

          (ii) Prior to any proposed transferee's acquisition of Stockholder
     Shares pursuant to a Transfer permitted by Section 4(a)(i)(A), 4(a)(ii)(B)
     or 4(a)(iii)(B) or Section 4(e)(i), such proposed transferee must agree to
     take such Stockholder Shares subject to and to be fully bound by the terms
     of this Agreement applicable to such Stockholder Shares by executing a
     joinder to this Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as
     Exhibit A and delivering such executed joinder to the Secretary of the
     ---------                                                             
     Company prior to the effectiveness of such Transfer (unless such Transfer
     is pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution, in which case,
     such executed joinder shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Company as
     soon as reasonably possible after such Transfer).  All transferees
     acquiring Stockholder Shares and executing a joinder in compliance with
     this Section 4(e)(ii) are collectively referred to herein as "Permitted
                                                                   ---------
     Transferees".
     -----------  

          (f) If (i) any Transfer of any membership interests of SILLC 1, SILLC
2 or SILLC 3 occurs (unless such Transfer is to any Affiliate or SILLC Investor,
or such Transfer is by an administrative member), (ii) any Transfer of a
majority interest in the residual equity securities of a Stockholder (other than
SILLC 1, SILLC 2 or SILLC 3) owning Stockholder Shares occurs, or (iii) any
Stockholder or Permitted Transferee Transfers Stockholder Shares to an Affiliate
and an event occurs which causes such Affiliate to cease to be an Affiliate of
such Stockholder or Permitted Transferee, such Transfer or event shall be deemed
a Transfer of Stockholder Shares subject to all of the restrictions on Transfers
of Stockholder Shares set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation,
Sections 4 and 5 hereof.

          5.   Approved Sale.
               ------------- 

          (a) If the holders of a majority of the shares of voting Common Stock
then outstanding (the "Approving Stockholders") approve a sale of all or
                       ----------------------                           
substantially all of the Company's assets determined on a consolidated basis or
a sale of all (or, for accounting, tax or other reasons, substantially all) of
the Company's outstanding capital stock (whether by merger, recapitalization,
consolidation, reorganization, combination or otherwise) to an Unaffiliated
Third Party or group of Unaffiliated Third Parties (each such sale, an "Approved
                                                                        --------
Sale"), then each holder of Stockholder Shares  will vote for, consent to and 
----
raise no objections against such Approved Sale subject to the terms set forth
below. In connection with any Stockholders exercising their rights under this
Section 5(a), such Stockholders shall send a written notice to all other
Stockholders 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
setting forth the principal terms of the proposed Approved Sale. If the Approved
Sale is structured as (i) a merger or consolidation, each holder of Stockholder
Shares will waive any dissenters' rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in
connection with such merger or consolidation or (ii) a sale of stock, each
holder of Stockholder Shares will agree to sell all of its Stockholder Shares
and rights to acquire Stockholder Shares on the same terms and conditions as
applicable to all of the Stockholder Shares held by the Approving Stockholders.
Each holder of Stockholder Shares will take all necessary or desirable actions
in connection with the consummation of the Approved Sale as reasonably requested
by the Investors approving such Approved Sale including without limitation
executing the applicable purchase agreement; provided, that, notwithstanding the
                                             --------        
foregoing, each Stockholder Transferring Stockholder Shares pursuant to an
Approved Sale shall only be responsible for its pro rata share (based upon the
number of Stockholder Shares to be Transferred) of any indemnification
obligations of all such Stockholders in connection with such Approved Sale.

          (b) Each Stockholder will bear their pro-rata share (based upon the
number of shares sold) of the costs of any sale of Stockholder Shares pursuant
to an Approved Sale to the extent such costs are incurred for the benefit of all
holders of Stockholder Shares and are not otherwise paid by the Company or the
acquiring party.  Costs incurred by any Stockholder on their own behalf will not
be considered costs of the transaction hereunder.

          6.   Financial Statements and Access to Information.
               ---------------------------------------------- 

          (a) Financial Statements.  The Company shall deliver to each
              --------------------                                    
Stockholder who holds more than 5% of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock:

          (i) within 60 days after the end of each quarterly accounting period
in each fiscal year of the Company, unaudited consolidated statements of income
and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such quarterly period and
unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
the end of such quarterly period.  Such financial statements shall be prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied, subject to the absence of footnote disclosures and to normal year-end
adjustments; and

          (ii) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company,
audited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, and audited consolidated balance sheets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year.  Such
financial statement shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, consistently applied.

          (b) Access to Information.  The Company shall permit any Stockholder
              ---------------------                                           
who holds more than 5% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, during
normal business hours and such other times as any such holder may reasonably
request, to (i) visit and inspect any of the properties of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, (ii) examine the corporate and financial records of the Company
and its Subsidiaries and make copies thereof or extracts therefrom and (iii)
discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of any such entities with any of the
executive officers of the Company.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
          7.   Legend; Additional Restriction on Transfer.
               ------------------------------------------ 

          (a) Each certificate or instrument evidencing Stockholder Shares and
each certificate or instrument issued in exchange for or upon the Transfer of
any Stockholder Shares (if such securities remain Stockholder Shares, each as
defined herein after such Transfer) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with
a legend in substantially the following form:

          "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
          REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"),
          AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE
          REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
          THEREUNDER. THE TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS
          CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
          DECEMBER 18, 1997, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER AND CERTAIN OF THE ISSUER'S
          STOCKHOLDERS.  A COPY OF SUCH STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED
          WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN
          REQUEST."

The legend set forth above regarding the Stockholders Agreement shall be removed
from the certificates evidencing any securities which cease to be Stockholder
Shares.  Upon the request of any holder of Stockholder Shares, the Company shall
remove the Securities Act legend set forth above from the certificate or
certificates for such Stockholder Shares; provided, that such Stockholder Shares
                                          --------                              
are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar rule or rules then
in effect) under the Securities Act.

          (b) No Stockholder may Transfer any Stockholder Shares (except
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act)
without first delivering to the Company an opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable in form and substance to the Company (which counsel will be
reasonably acceptable to the Company) that registration under the Securities Act
is not required in connection with such Transfer.  If such opinion of counsel
reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Company further states that
no subsequent Transfer of such Stockholder Shares will require registration
under the Securities Act, the Company will promptly upon such Transfer deliver
new certificates for such securities which do not bear the Securities Act legend
set forth in Section 7(a).

          8.   Transfers in Violation of Agreement.  Any Transfer or attempted
               -----------------------------------                            
Transfer of any Stockholder Shares in violation of any provision of this
Agreement shall be null and void, and the Company shall not record such Transfer
on its books or treat any purported transferee of such Stockholder Shares as the
owner of such securities for any purpose.

          9.   Preemptive Rights.
               ----------------- 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
          (a)  (i)    If at any time on or prior to the consummation of an
initial Public Offering, the Company wishes to issue any equity securities
(whether preferred stock or Common Stock) or any options, warrants or other
rights to acquire equity securities or any notes or other securities convertible
or exchangeable into equity securities (all such equity securities and other
rights and securities, collectively, the "Equity Equivalents") to Bain Fund V,
                                          ------------------                  
Bain Fund V-B, BCIP and/or BCIP Trust or any of their respective Affiliates
(collectively, the "Bain Entities"), the Company shall promptly deliver a notice
                    -------------                                               
of intention to sell (the "Bain Issuance Notice") to each Stockholder (other
                           --------------------                             
than the Bain Entities) (the "Non-Bain Stockholders") setting forth a
                              ---------------------                  
description and the number of the Equity Equivalents proposed to be issued to
the Bain Entities and the proposed purchase price and terms of sale.  Upon
receipt of the Bain Issuance Notice, each Non-Bain Stockholder shall have the
right to elect to purchase, at the price and on the terms stated in the Bain
Issuance Notice, a number of the Equity Equivalents equal to the product of (A)
such Non-Bain Stockholder's proportionate ownership (expressed as a fraction) of
the aggregate Stockholder Shares held by all Stockholders multiplied by (B) the
number of Equity Equivalents proposed to be issued to the Bain Entities (as
described in the applicable Bain Issuance Notice).  Such election shall be made
by the electing Non-Bain Stockholder by written notice to the Company within ten
(10) business days after receipt by such Non-Bain Stockholder of the Bain
Issuance Notice (the "Issuance Acceptance Period").
                      --------------------------   

          (ii) To the extent an effective election to purchase shall not be
received from a Non-Bain Stockholder pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above in
respect of the Equity Equivalents proposed to be issued to the Bain Entities
pursuant to the applicable Bain Issuance Notice, the Company may, at its
election, during a period of ninety (90) days following the expiration of the
applicable Issuance Acceptance Period, issue and sell the remaining Equity
Equivalents to be issued and sold to any Bain Entity at a price and upon terms
not more favorable to such Bain Entity than those stated in the applicable Bain
Issuance Notice (provided that the number of Equity Equivalents to be issued to
the Bain Entities in compliance with the foregoing shall not exceed the number
of Equity Equivalents proposed to be issued to the Bain Entities (as described
in the applicable Bain Issuance Notice) less the number of Equity Equivalents to
                                        ----                                    
be issued to Non-Bain Shareholders pursuant to an effective election to purchase
by such Non-Bain Stockholders hereunder).  In the event the Company has not sold
any Equity Equivalents covered by a Bain Issuance Notice to a Bain Entity, or
entered into a binding agreement to sell such Equity Equivalents to a Bain
Entity, within such ninety (90) day period, the Company shall not thereafter
issue or sell such Equity Equivalents to any Bain Entity without first offering
such Equity Equivalents to the Non-Bain Stockholders in the manner provided in
paragraph (a)(i) above.

          (b) If a Non-Bain Stockholder gives the Company notice, pursuant to
the provisions of this Section 9, that such Non-Bain Stockholder desires to
purchase Equity Equivalents offered by the Company, payment therefor shall be
made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds, against delivery
of the securities (which securities shall be registered in the name of such Non-
Bain Stockholder and shall be issued free and clear of any liens or
encumbrances) at the executive offices of the Company at the closing date fixed
by the Company for the sale of all such Equity Equivalents (including to any
Bain Entity).  In the event that the proposed sale is for consideration other
than cash, the Non-Bain Stockholders may pay cash in lieu of all (but not part)

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
of such other consideration, in the amount determined reasonably and in good
faith by the Board to represent the fair value of such consideration other than
cash.

          (c) The preemptive rights contained in this Section 9 shall not apply
to (i) the issuance of shares of Equity Equivalents as a stock dividend or upon
any subdivision, split or combination of the outstanding shares of Common Stock;
(ii) the issuance of Equity Equivalents upon conversion, exchange or redemption
of any outstanding convertible or exchangeable securities; (iii) the issuance of
Equity Equivalents upon exercise of any outstanding options or warrants; or (iv)
the issuance of Equity Equivalents pursuant to an offering registered under the
Securities Act.

          10.  Regulatory Compliance Cooperation.
               --------------------------------- 

               (a) Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 10, the following
                   -----------                                                 
terms have the following meanings:

          "Applicable Law," with respect to any Person, means all provisions of
           --------------                                                      
all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, certificates or
orders of any governmental authority applicable to such Person or any of its
assets of property or to which such Person or any of its assets or property is
subject, and all judgments, injunctions, orders and decrees of all courts and
arbitrators in proceedings or actions in which such Person is a party or by
which it or any of its assets or properties is or may be bound or subject.

          "Regulated Stockholder" shall mean SILLC 1, SILLC 2, SILLC 3 or any
           ---------------------                                             
other Stockholder (i) that is subject to the provisions of Regulation Y of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Part 225 (or any
successor to such Regulations) and (ii) that holds Stockholder Shares and (iii)
that has provided written notice to the Company of its status as a "Regulated
Stockholder" hereunder.

          "Regulatory Problem" means any set of facts or circumstance wherein it
           ------------------                                                   
has been asserted by any governmental regulatory agency (or a Regulated
Stockholder reasonably believes that there is a risk of such assertion) that
such Regulated Stockholder is not entitled to acquire, own, hold or control, or
exercise any significant right (including the right to vote) with respect to,
any Stockholder Shares.

               (b)  Regulatory Matters Generally.
                    ---------------------------- 

          (i) If a Regulated Stockholder determines that it has a Regulatory
Problem, the Company agrees to take all such actions, subject to Applicable Law,
as are reasonably requested by such Regulated Stockholder (1) to effectuate and
facilitate any Transfer by such Regulated Stockholder of any Stockholder Shares
then held by such Regulated Stockholder to any Affiliate of such Regulated
Stockholder designated by such Regulated Stockholder (provided such transferee
complies with the requirements of Section 4(e)(ii)), and (2) to permit such
Regulated Stockholder (or any Affiliate of such Regulated Stockholder) to
exchange all or any portion of the voting Stockholder Shares then held by such
Person on a share-for-share basis for shares of a class of nonvoting Stockholder
Shares, which nonvoting Stockholder Shares shall be identical in all 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
respects to such voting Stockholder Shares, except that such new Stockholder
Shares shall be nonvoting and shall be convertible into voting Stockholder
Shares on such terms as are requested by such Regulated Stockholder in light of
regulatory considerations then prevailing. Such actions may include, without
limitation, (x) entering into such additional agreements as are reasonably
requested by such Regulated Stockholder to permit any Person(s) designated by
such Regulated Stockholder to exercise any voting power which is relinquished by
such Regulated Stockholder upon any exchange of voting Stockholder Shares for
nonvoting Stockholder Shares, and (y) entering into such additional agreements,
adopting such amendment to the charter documents of the Company and taking such
additional actions as are reasonably requested by such Regulated Stockholder in
order to effectuate the intent of the foregoing.

          (ii) If a Regulated Stockholder has the right or opportunity to
acquire any of the Stockholder Shares from the Company, any Stockholder or any
other Person (as the result of a preemptive offer, pro rata offer or otherwise),
                                                   --- ----                     
at such Regulated Stockholder's request the Company will offer to sell (or if
the Company is not the seller, to cooperate with the seller and such Regulated
Stockholder to permit such seller to sell) non-voting Stockholder Shares on the
same terms as would have existed had such Regulated Stockholder acquired the
Stockholder Shares so offered and immediately requested their exchange for non-
voting Stockholder Shares pursuant to clause (i) above.

          (iii) Each Stockholder agrees to cooperate with the Company in
complying with this Section 10, including without limitation, voting to approve
amending the Company's Certificate of Incorporation in a manner reasonably
requested by the Regulated Stockholder requesting such amendment.

          (iv)  The Company agrees not to amend or waive the voting or other
provisions of this Agreement or the Company's Certificate of Incorporation if
such proposed amendment or waiver would cause any Regulated Stockholder to have
a Regulatory Problem, provided that any such Regulated Stockholder notifies the
                      --------                                                 
Company that it would have a Regulatory Problem promptly after it has notice of
such amendment or waiver.

          11.  Amendment and Waiver.  No modification, amendment or waiver of
               --------------------                                          
any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or the
Stockholders unless such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in
writing by, respectively, the Company or the holders of 75% of the Stockholder
Shares; provided, that no amendment shall be effective without the consent of 
        --------         
a Stockholder to the extent that such amendment would adversely affect the
rights or obligations of such Stockholder hereunder in any material respect. The
failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in
no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the
right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this
Agreement in accordance with its terms. Each Stockholder shall remain a party to
this Agreement only so long as such person is the holder of record of
Stockholder Shares.

          12.  Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this
               ------------                                            
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law 

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this
Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein.

          13.  Entire Agreement.  Except as otherwise expressly set forth
               ----------------                                          
herein, this document embodies the complete agreement and understanding among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and
preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the
parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in
any way.

          14.  Termination.  This Agreement will automatically terminate and be
               -----------                                                     
of no further force or effect immediately after the consummation of an Approved
Sale.

          15.  Successors and Assigns.  Except as otherwise provided herein,
               ----------------------                                       
this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Company and its successors and assigns and the Stockholders and any subsequent
holders of Stockholder Shares and the respective successors, heirs and assigns
of each of them, so long as they hold Stockholder Shares.

          16.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate
               ------------                                             
counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agree  ment.

          17.  Remedies.  The parties hereto shall be entitled to enforce their
               --------                                                        
rights under this Agreement specifically to recover damages by reason of any
breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights
existing in their favor.  The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money
damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this
Agreement and that the Company and any Stockholder may in his, hers, or its sole
discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for
specific performance and/or injunc  tive relief (without posting a bond or other
security) in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of this
Agreement.

          18.  Notices.  All notices, demands or other communications to be
               -------                                                     
given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will
be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when delivered if delivered
personally, sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier, or sent via
facsimile to the recipient, or if sent by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, will be deemed to have been given two business days
thereafter.  Such notices, demands and other communications will be sent to the
address indicated below:

          To the Company:
          -------------- 

               Sealy Corporation
               c/o Sealy, Inc.
               1228 Euclid Avenue
               Cleveland, OH 44115

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
               Attention: Chief Executive Officer
               Telecopy No.: (216) 522-1976

          With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
          -------------------------------------------------- 

               Bain Capital, Inc.
               Two Copley Place
               Boston, MA 02116
               Attention: Josh Bekenstein and Paul Edgerley
               Telecopy No.: (617) 572-3274

               Kirkland & Ellis
               Citicorp Center
               153 East 53rd Street
               New York, New York  10022
               Attention: Lance C. Balk, Esq.
               Telecopy No.:  (212) 446-4900

          To Zell:
          ------- 

               Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P.
               Two North Riverside Plaza
               Suite 1500
               Chicago, IL 60606
               Attention: Rod F. Dammeyer
               Telecopy No.:  (312) 902-1512

          With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
          -------------------------------------------------- 

               Rosenberg & Liebentritt, P.C.
               Two North Riverside Plaza
               Suite 1601
               Chicago, IL 60606
               Attention: Alisa Singer, Esq.
               Telecopy No.:  (312) 454-0335

               Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
               One Liberty Plaza
               New York, New York 10006
               Attention: William A. Groll, Esq.
               Telecopy No.: (212) 225-3999

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
          To any Bain Fund:
          ---------------- 

               Bain Capital, Inc.
               Two Copley Place
               Boston, MA 02116
               Attention: Josh Bekenstein and Paul Edgerley
               Telecopy No.: (617) 572-3274

          With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
          -------------------------------------------------- 

               Kirkland & Ellis
               Citicorp Center
               153 East 53rd Street
               New York, New York  10022
               Attention: Lance C. Balk, Esq.
               Telecopy No.:  (212) 446-4900
 
          To Harvard:
          ---------- 

               Harvard Private Capital Holdings, Inc.
               c/o Harvard Management Company, Inc.
               600 Atlantic Avenue, 26th Floor
               Boston, MA 02210
               Attention: Mark Rosen
               Telecopy No.: (617) 523-1063


          With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
          -------------------------------------------------- 

               Ropes & Gray
               One International Place
               Boston, MA 02110
               Attention: Larry Jordan Rowe
               Telecopy No.: (617) 951-7050


          To SILLC 1:
          ---------- 

               Sealy Investors 1, LLC
               c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
               Two Copley Place
               Boston, MA 02116
               Attention: Josh Bekenstein and Paul Edgerley
               Telecopy No.: (617) 572-3274

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
               Chase Capital Partners
               380 Madison Avenue
               New York, New York  10017
               Attention:  Jonas Steinman
               Telecopy No.: (212) 622-3101

          With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
          -------------------------------------------------- 

               O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell LLP
               30 Rockefeller Plaza, 24th Floor
               New York, New York  10112
               Attention: Daniel Rayner
               Telecopy No.: (212) 728-5950

          To SILLC 2:
          ---------- 

               Sealy Investors 2, LLC
               c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
               Two Copley Place
               Boston, MA 02116
               Attention: Josh Bekenstein and Paul Edgerley
               Telecopy No.: (617) 572-3274

               CIBC Wood Gundy Capital
               425 Lexington Avenue
               New York, New York  10017
               Attention:  Jay Levine
               Telecopy No.: (212) 885-4998

          With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
          -------------------------------------------------- 

               O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell LLP
               30 Rockefeller Plaza, 24th Floor
               New York, New York 10112
               Attention: Daniel Rayner
               Telecopy No.: (212) 728-5950

          To SILLC 3:
          ---------- 

               Sealy Investors 3, LLC
               c/o Bain Capital, Inc.
               Two Copley Place
               Boston, MA 02116
               Attention: Josh Bekenstein and Paul Edgerley
               Telecopy No.: (617) 572-3274

               BancBoston Investments, Inc.
               100 Federal Street
               Mail Stop 01-08-05
               Boston, MA  02110
               Attention:  Brian Gerrity
               Telecopy No.:  (617) 434-4873

          With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
          -------------------------------------------------- 

               Bingham Dana LLP
               150 Federal Street
               Boston, MA 02110
               Attention: Malcolm Sandilands
               Telecopy No.: (617) 951-8736

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

          19.  GOVERNING LAW. THE CORPORATE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL
               -------------                                                 
GOVERN ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE RELATIVE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS
STOCKHOLDERS.  ALL OTHER QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND
INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOMESTIC LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF
THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          20.  Descriptive Headings.  The descriptive headings of this Agreement
               --------------------                                             
are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Agreement.

                               *   *   *   *   *

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Stockholders
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                              SEALY CORPORATION


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


                              BAIN CAPITAL FUND V, L.P.

                              By:  Bain Capital Partners V, L.P.,
                                    its General Partner

                              By:   Bain Capital Investors V, Inc.,
                                    its General Partner


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


                              BAIN CAPITAL FUND V-B, L.P.

                              By:  Bain Capital Partners V, L.P.,
                                    its General Partner

                              By:   Bain Capital Investors V, Inc.,
                                    its General Partner


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
CONTINUATION OF SIGNATURES FOR THIS STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT:
 

                              BCIP ASSOCIATES


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    A General Partner


                              BCIP TRUST ASSOCIATES, L.P.


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    A General Partner


                              HARVARD PRIVATE CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


                              SEALY INVESTORS 1, LLC

                              By:   Bain Capital Partners V, L.P.,
                                    its Administrative Member

                              By:   Bain Capital Investors V, Inc.
                                    Its General Partner


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
CONTINUATION OF SIGNATURES FOR THIS STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT:
 

                              SEALY INVESTORS 2, LLC

                              By:   Bain Capital Partners V, L.P.,
                                    its Administrative Member

                              By:   Bain Capital Investors V, Inc.
                                    Its General Partner


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


                              SEALY INVESTORS 3, LLC

                              By:   Bain Capital Partners V, L.P.,
                                    its Administrative Member

                              By:   Bain Capital Investors V, Inc.
                                    Its General Partner


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


                              RANDOLPH STREET PARTNERS II


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    A General Partner

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
CONTINUATION OF SIGNATURES FOR THIS STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT:


                              ZELL/CHILMARK FUND, L.P.

                              By:   ZC Limited Partnership, its General Partner

                              By:   ZC Partnership, its General Partner

                              By:   ZC, Inc., a Partner


                              By:
                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------

                               FORM OF JOINDER TO
                             STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------

          THIS JOINDER to the Stockholders Agreement dated as of December 18,
1997 by and among Sealy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
                                                                  -------       
certain stockholders of the Company (the "Agreement"), is made and entered into
                                          ---------                            
as of _________ by and between the Company and _________________ ("Holder").
                                                                   ------    
Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
set forth in the Agreement.

          WHEREAS, Holder has acquired certain Stockholder Shares and the
Agreement and the Company require Holder, as a holder of such Stockholder
Shares, to become a party to the Agreement, and Holder agrees to do so in
accordance with the terms hereof.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Joinder hereby agree as
follows:

          1.   Agreement to be Bound.  Holder hereby agrees that upon execution
               ---------------------                                           
of this Joinder, it shall become a party to the Agreement and shall be fully
bound by, and subject to, all of the covenants, terms and conditions of the
Agreement as though an original party thereto and shall be deemed a [BAIN
INVESTOR/HARVARD INVESTOR/SILLC INVESTOR/ZELL HOLDER] and a Stockholder for all
purposes thereof.  In addition, Holder hereby agrees that all Common Stock  held
by Holder shall be deemed [BAIN/HARVARD/SILLC/ZELL] Shares and Stockholder
Shares for all purposes of the Agreement.

          2.   Successors and Assigns.  Except as otherwise provided herein,
               ----------------------                                       
this Joinder shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Company and its successors, heirs and assigns and Holder and any subsequent
holders of Stockholder Shares and the respective successors, heirs and assigns
of each of them, so long as they hold any Stockholder Shares.

          3.   Counterparts.  This Joinder may be executed in separate
               ------------                                           
counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          4.   Notices.  For purposes of Section 18 of the Agreement, all
               -------                                                   
notices, demands or other communications to the Holder shall be directed to:

                    [Name]
                    [Address]
                    [Facsimile Number]

          5.  GOVERNING LAW.  THE CORPORATE LAW OF DELAWARE SHALL GOVERN ALL
             --------------                                                 
ISSUES CONCERNING THE RELATIVE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS.  ALL
OTHER QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS
JOINDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOMESTIC LAWS
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT
OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF NEW

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
YORK OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF
ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          6.  DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS.  The descriptive headings of this Joinder
              --------------------                                           
are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Joinder.

                               *   *   *   *   *


                                     - 2 -

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Joinder as
of the date first above written.

                              SEALY CORPORATION


                              By:
                                 ----------------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:


                              [HOLDER]


                              By:
                                 ----------------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:



                                     - 3 -

                                      -30-