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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

                    [CENTRAL FREIGHT LINES, INC. LETTERHEAD]

December 23, 2002

Mr. Doak Slay
155 Northwind Trail
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Re: Employment Offer

Dear Doak:

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we convey the following offer of
employment to you.

Your title will be Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and you will be
an officer of the company. Your starting salary will be $190,000 per year. Your
bonus potential will be up to 50 percent of your base salary and will be an
annual bonus based upon the Operating Ratio of the company for that year. You
will be granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of Central Freight Lines
common stock. Those options will vest at a rate of 20 percent per year for the
ensuing 5 years in accordance with a Stock Option Agreement that you and the
company will sign. The Option Price will be determined by the Board of Directors
upon the Grant Date of the options and will be based upon the Fair Market Value
at that time.

You will be provided an appropriate company vehicle for your use during your
employment with Central Freight Lines. At your option, we can either purchase
your existing vehicle from you or purchase a new vehicle for your use. All of
your reasonable moving expenses will be paid by Central, which will include the
cost of the physical move and reasonable closing costs on either end. Should you
have difficulty selling your house, Central will provide you with assistance in
that matter as well. It is understood that your family may not move to Texas
until June and you will be allowed temporary living expenses until that time if
necessary as well as paid trips home to visit your family.

In addition to this package, our intention is for our Officer's Income Tax
returns and Financial and Estate Planning to be performed by the same
professionals who handle the corporate work. I have enclosed a benefit package
that will outline our Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance plans and their
requirements. You will become eligible for our benefit programs 90 days from
your date of employment and we will reimburse you for the COBRA payments that
you will have during that period of time. Although your vacation will accrue in
accordance with the
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policies of Central Freight Lines, Inc., you will be allowed the time that you
need through the course of the year.

In addition, in the event you are terminated by the company without cause, you
will receive one year's salary.

We are very enthusiastic about our future together and look forward to your
written acceptance by signing below.

Very Truly Yours,

/s/ Robert V. Fasso
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Robert V. Fasso
President

Agreed:

/s/ Doak Slay                               Date: 1/15/03
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Doak Slay

