Exhibit E JOINT FILING AGREEMENT The undersigned hereby agree that the Statement on Schedule 13D, dated as of May 28, 1996 (the "Schedule 13D"), with respect to the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Rykoff-Sexton, Inc. is, and any amendments thereto shall be, filed on behalf of each of us pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-1(f)(1) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that this Agreement shall be included as an Exhibit to the Schedule 13D and each such amendment. Each of the undersigned agrees to be responsible for the timely filing of the Schedule 13D and any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning itself contained therein. Each of the undersigned further agrees that Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc. may file the Schedule 13D, and any and all amendments thereto, on its behalf. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of this 28th day of May, 1996. MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. By /s/ Marcia L. Tu ---------------------------- Name: Marcia L. Tu Title: Attorney-in-fact MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC. By /s/ Marcia L. Tu ---------------------------- Name: Marcia L. Tu Title: Attorney-in-fact MERRILL LYNCH MBP INC. By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERCHANT BANKING L.P. NO. II By: Merrill Lynch MBP Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC. By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President ML EMPLOYEES LBO MANAGERS, INC. By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President ML EMPLOYEES LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. I, L.P. By: ML Employees LBO Managers, Inc. as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH LBO PARTNERS NO. IV, L.P. By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII, L.P. By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, L.P., as General Partner By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. XIII By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. IV, L.P., as General Partner By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH LBO PARTNERS NO. B-IV, L.P. By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL APPRECIATION PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII, L.P. By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. B-IV, L.P., as General Partner By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President ML OFFSHORE LBO PARTNERSHIP NO. B-XVIII By: Merrill Lynch LBO Partners No. B-IV, L.P., as General Partner By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. II By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MLCP ASSOCIATES L.P. NO. IV By: Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President ML IBK POSITIONS, INC. By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President KECALP, INC. By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1987 By: KECALP, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1991 By: KECALP, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President MERRILL LYNCH KECALP L.P. 1994 By: KECALP, Inc., as General Partner By /s/ James V. Caruso ---------------------------- Name: James V. Caruso Title: Vice President