EXHIBIT 10.9(a)

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 4
                                     TO THE
                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                         SENIOR MANAGEMENT BENEFIT PLAN


         THIS AMENDMENT made as of the 31st day of August, 2001, by National
Service Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("NSI");

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, NSI has previously established the National Service
Industries, Inc. Senior Management Benefit Plan (the "Plan") for the benefit of
its eligible employees and their beneficiaries; and

         WHEREAS, effective as of August 31, 2001, NSI will restructure its
business operations and form several new subsidiary corporations; and

         WHEREAS, NSI desires to amend the Plan in connection with the
restructuring; and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the power of amendment contained in Section 11.4
of the Plan, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:


                                       1.

         The Plan is hereby amended by incorporating the following as the new
Appendix 1:

                                   "Appendix 1
                               Adopting Employers

         National Service Industries, Inc. (CA) f/k/a NSI Enterprises, Inc.
         L&C Spinco, Inc.
         The Zep Group, Inc.
         L&C Lighting Group, Inc."

                                       2.

         This Amendment shall be effective August 31, 2001.

                                       3.

         Except as provided herein, the provisions of the Plan shall remain in
full force and effect.





         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, NSI has caused this Amendment No. 4 to be executed
by its duly authorized corporate officers as of the date and year first written
above.


ATTEST:                             NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.



By: /s/ Carol E. Morgan             By: /s/ Kenyon W. Murphy
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