030106 Bob Evans Farms Announces Same-Store Sales

Columbus, OH - Bob Evans Farms, Inc. announced that same-store sales in "core" restaurants (431 stores which were open for the full 12 months in both fiscal years 2001 and 2002) for the fiscal 2003 month of December (the five weeks ended Dec. 27) decreased 0.9% from the same period a year ago. However, the timing of the Thanksgiving holiday and travel period was not comparable. Taking that shift in timing into account, same-store sales would have been down by an estimated 2.2%. Menu prices for the month of December were up approximately 3.4%.

Stewart K. Owens, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, said, "Restaurant sales for the month were near our expectations in view of the fact that same-store sales for December 2001 had been up 7.5%, reflecting the unusually mild weather for the month. Barring abnormally severe weather over the next few weeks, earnings for our third fiscal quarter ending Jan. 24, 2003, should be consistent with our previous guidance of $0.43 to $0.45 per share (diluted)."

Bob Evans Farms Inc. owns and operates 505 full-service, family restaurants in 22 states. Bob Evans Restaurants are primarily located in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States, while Owens Restaurants operate in Texas. The company is also a leading producer and distributor of pork sausage and other convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names, which are available in 30 states. For more information about Bob Evans Farms Inc., visit the company's Web site at www.bobevans.com .

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com