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
April 28, 1998

JOHN B. SANFILIPPO ANNOUNCES IMPROVED OPERATING RESULTS

Gross Margins, Operating Income Drive Performance

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill, April 28, 1998-- John B. Sanfilippo & Son (Nasdaq: JBSS) today announced improved operating results for the fiscal 1998 third quarter ended March 26, 1998, and the first nine months of fiscal 1998, as a result of increased gross margins that boosted operating income.

Improved Sales Mix Benefits Third Quarter
For the fiscal 1998 third quarter, net sales of $58.1 million were basically unchanged versus fiscal 1997 third-quarter sales of $58.5 million. The third fiscal quarter is traditionally soft, the company noted. The net loss totaled $106,000, or $0.01 per share, compared with a loss of $192,000, or $0.02 per share, in the year-ago period.

Improved sales mix boosted the gross margin to 18.7 percent compared with 16.3 percent in the prior year's third quarter. Increased promotions drove selling expense to 10.4 percent of net sales in the fiscal 1998 third quarter compared with 9.3 percent of net sales in the fiscal 1997 third quarter. Administrative expense was 4.6 percent of net sales compared with 4.3 percent of net sales for the same quarter last year.

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