News Bulletin 10/27/98

AT THE COMPANY:	AT THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:
Gary Jensen Chief Financial Officer 847-593-2300 Ext. 144	Bess Gallanis Media Inquiries 312-640-6737	Marilyn Windsor General/Analyst Inquiries 312-640-6692

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 1998

JOHN B. SANFILIPPO ANNOUNCES 1ST-QUARTER RESULTS

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill, October 27, 1998 --John B. Sanfilippo & Son , Inc. (Nasdaq: JBSS) today announced results for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 ended September 24, 1998.

Net sales declined 4.5 percent to $73.8 million from $77.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 1998. The decline was due primarily to decreased volume in the company's consumer regional brands and private-label products. Net income for the first quarter was $0.3 million, or $0.03 per share, compared with $1.0 million, or $0.11 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 1998.

The gross profit margin was 15.5 percent of net sales for fiscal 1999 first quarter versus 16.6 percent for the same period last year. Selling and administrative expenses were 11.9 percent of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 compared with 12.1 percent for the year-ago period. Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 was approximately $2.7 million versus $3.4 million for the first quarter last year. Interest expense/other income was $2.1 million in the first quarter this year versus $1.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 1998.

"Fiscal 1999 is starting out with increased competitive pressure," stated Jasper B. Sanfilippo, chairman and chief executive officer. "We expect this intense competitive pressure to continue throughout the remainder of the fiscal year, and we expect it to negatively impact earnings for the fiscal year. However, we will continue to focus on areas that we can control, such as costs, and seek ways to increase sales."

The Fisher brand continues to meet the company's expectations. The Fisher Snack 'N Serve Nut Bowl^TM completed its first quarter of sales since its introduction in May 1998. According to the company, the initial results are encouraging, and the Fisher Snack 'N Serve Nut Bowl^TM received the Food and Drug Packaging magazine's 1998 package of the year award.

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. is a processor, packager, marketer and distributor of shelled, in-shell nuts and sesame sticks that are sold under a variety of private labels and under the company's Evon's^®, Fisher^®, Snack 'N Serve Nut Bowl^TM, Sunshine Country^®, Flavor Tree^® and Texas Pride^TM brand names. The company also markets and distributes a diverse product line of other food and snack items.

The statements of Jasper B. Sanfilippo in this release regarding the competitive pressures which the company expects to face during the remainder of fiscal 1999 and the expected impact such pressures are expected to have on the company's earnings for the fiscal year are forward looking. These forward-looking statements are based on the company's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Consequently, the company's actual results could differ materially. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially from current expectations are: (i) sales activity for the company's products for the remainder of the fiscal year; (ii) changes in the availability and costs of raw materials for the production of the company's products; (iii) fluctuations in the value of the company's inventories of pecans, walnuts or other nuts due to fluctuations in the market prices of these nuts; (iv) the company's ability to lessen the negative impact of competitive pressures by reducing its selling prices and increasing sales volume, while at the same time maintaining profit margins by reducing costs; (v) the time and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of other transactions and events which may be subject to circumstances beyond the company's control.

For further information on John B. Sanfilippo free of charge via fax, simply dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter "JBSS."

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