Barbeques Galore Reports 14.1% Increase in U.S. Same Store Sales for Third Fiscal Quarter.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1999--

Company Enjoys Sixth Consecutive Quarter of Double Digit 

Positive Same Store Sales Comparisons in its U.S. Locations

Barbeques Galore Ltd. (Nasdaq:BBQZ) Monday announced same store sales at its United States locations increased 14.1% for its third fiscal quarter ended Oct. 31, 1999.

Same store sales at the company's Australian locations decreased 2.3% for the same period. Total company net sales for the third fiscal quarter climbed 21.5% to US$42.2 million (U.S. dollars), or A$65.1 million (Australian dollars), compared with US$34.8 million, or A$58.1 million, in the prior-year period. Net sales in the United States increased 33.5% to US$16.9 million from US$12.7 million in the 1999 third fiscal quarter. In Australia, net sales for the 2000 third fiscal quarter were US$25.3 million, or A$39.0 million, a 14.6% increase from US$22.1 million, or A$36.9 million, for the same period a year ago.

For the nine months ended Oct. 31, 1999, U.S. same store sales increased 14.0% and Australian same store sales increased 1.5% over the same period a year ago. Total company net sales for the nine-month period rose 22.2% to US$113.2 million, or A$174.5 million, from US$92.7 million, or A$149.3 million, in the corresponding year-earlier period. U.S. net sales for the nine months increased 33.4% to US$60.5 million from US$45.3 million a year ago. Net sales in Australia for the same period climbed 11.4% to US$52.7 million, or A$81.4 million, from US$47.4 million, or A$76.4 million, for the same period in fiscal 1999.

The company recently opened its 54th owned and operated U.S. store in Brea, Calif., increasing the total number of Barbeques Galore stores in the United States to 64. During the third fiscal quarter, the company opened one store in Australia in Fountain Gate, Melbourne, and relocated or renovated two other Australian stores.

An additional U.S. franchise store is scheduled to open in Tustin, Calif., later this month, which will bring the total U.S. store openings to 12 for the current fiscal year. The company also has signed leases or is involved in lease negotiations for seven U.S. stores that are expected to open by the end of April 2000.

Barbeques Galore is the leading chain of specialty retail stores devoted to sales of barbecues, fireside products and related accessories. The company owns and operates 54 stores in the United States and 35 stores in Australia. In addition, there are 10 franchised stores in the United States and 47 licensed stores in Australia. Through its e-commerce Web site, www.bbqgalore.com, the company sells an extensive line of barbecue and fireside products and related accessories.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to open new stores and other "Risk Factors" as mentioned in the company's prospectus dated November 7, 1997, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other filings from time to time.