010522 Bob Evans Announces Stock Repurchase Program

Columbus, OH - Bob Evans Farms, Inc. announced the authorization by its board of directors of its stock repurchase program for fiscal 2002.

The board of directors has approved the repurchase of up to 2 million shares of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. common stock during fiscal 2002, which runs through April 2002. The shares may be purchased from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. The company repurchased 816,000 shares during fiscal 2001, and there are approximately 34.8 million shares outstanding at April 27, 2001.

The company's board of directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend on the corporation's outstanding common stock of nine cents ($.09) per share. The dividend is payable June 1, 2001, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 18, 2001.

On Monday, June 4, 2001, Bob Evans Farms Inc. will announce fourth-quarter and year-end earnings. Company executives will discuss the results during a conference call on June 4 at 10 a.m. EST. Details about the call and the simultaneous webcast will be posted at a later date on the company's Web site, www.bobevans.com .

Bob Evans Farms Inc. currently owns and operates 469 full-service, family restaurants principally in the East North Central, mid-Atlantic and Southern United States. The company is also a leading producer of pork sausage under the Bob Evans and Owens Country Sausage brand names.

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