According to the advisers, Pillsbury executives endorsed the offer and agreed to conduct an informal poll of their directors late on Friday.

The franchisees, who thought they had a promise from the Pillsbury executives not to further encumber the chain with debt, are now incensed.

Pillsbury executives indicated they were still opposed to selling out to Grand Met.

Grand Met officials renewed their request for Pillsbury executives to sit down with them and bargain.

In 1980, he appointed Thomas H. Wyman, a former Pillsbury executive, to be president and chief executive.

Pillsbury executives have no illusions about the authenticity of their cuisine.

In its rejection, Pillsbury executives alluded to Grand Met's offer of $65 a share as evidence that Pillsbury was worth more than $63.

But even Pillsbury executives have previously acknowledged having some problems in the company's basic packaged goods businesses.

Grand Met is far more willing than the cautious Pillsbury executives to take risks.

A few suggested that the company might try to attract Thomas H. Wyman, a former Pillsbury executive who ran CBS.