Bertucci's Announces 1997 Second Quarter Earnings Results.

WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1997--

2nd Quarter Earnings Per Share $0.09 vs. $0.08

Bertucci's, Inc. (NASDAQ:BERT), today announced second quarter and year-to-date results for the periods ended July 12, 1997. Net income for the 12-week quarter totaled $764,000, or $0.09 per share, as compared to $685,000, or $0.08 per share, for the second quarter of last year. Net revenues for the quarter were $31.6 million versus $30.2 million in the prior year, which represents a gain of 4.7 percent.

For the 28-week period ended July 12, 1997, net income was $1.8 million, or $0.20 per share, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.14 per share, in fiscal 1996. Net revenues for the fiscal year-to-date period were $72.0 million, compared with $68.5 million last year, which represents an increase of 5.1 percent.

For the quarter ended July 12, 1997, comparative-store revenues were up 0.3 percent, and have increased 0.8 percent for the 28-week period. This quarter's performance marks the fifth consecutive comparative quarter of increases in net revenues and earnings per share.

Theodore Barber, Chief Operating Officer, said, "Based on the Company's second quarter earnings announcement, the prospect for continued improvement is encouraging with respect to the Company's cost management. As a result of the implementation of various employee initiatives, overall corporate turnover is decreasing. Our corporate service recovery programs have provided positive results. We still, however, constantly strive for continued improvement.

"In further developments, our operating unit management is responding to the fundamental philosophy set forth earlier this year by embracing a sense of ownership and pride in their units. Collectively, the Company feels that the key to providing distinct, memorable dining experiences for our customers is to stabilize the staff and keep the focus on training, particularly in the area of superior customer service. In order to succeed, the staff must believe and follow this charge. It will be this superior level of service, coupled with the renowned food quality of Bertucci's, that will maintain the frequency of our loyal consumers, without having to depend on the external stimulus of advertising."

Bertucci's operates 80 casual, full-service Italian restaurants in 11 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the Company also operates Sal and Vinnie's Sicilian Steakhouse, which was opened in the first quarter of 1997, in Norwood, Massachusetts. Although, no new restaurants were opened in the second quarter, five new Bertucci's restaurants are scheduled to be opened during the remainder of fiscal year 1997.

Cautionary statement for purposes of "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements contained in this release, including statements regarding continuing improvement and opening of new restaurants, are forward- looking, and represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions relating to the operations and results of operations of the Company, competitive factors and pricing pressures, shifts in consumer demand, the costs of products and services, general economic conditions, and the acts of third parties, as well as other factors which are detailed, from time to time, in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. -0-

                           Bertucci's, Inc.
                  Condensed Statements of Operations

                          12 Weeks Ended           28 Weeks Ended
                       July 12,    July 13,     July 12,     July 13,
                         1997        1996         1997         1996
                          (in thousands, except per share data)

Sales                 $ 31,643   $ 30,235       $ 71,980    $ 68,494
Net Income                 764        685          1,767       1,234
Earnings Per Share    $   0.09   $   0.08       $   0.20    $   0.14
Weighted Average
 Shares              8,932,722  8,890,004      8,899,082   8,878,140

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                           BERTUCCI'S, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                              (Unaudited)

                          12 Weeks Ended            28 Weeks Ended
                       July 12,    July 13,      July 12,     July 13,
                         1997        1996          1997         1996
                            (in thousands, except per share data)

NET SALES              $31,643   $   30,235   $   71,980   $   68,494
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 Cost of sales           7,828        7,589       17,946       17,387

 Operating expenses     16,831       15,844       37,776       35,725
 General and
  administrative
  expenses               1,900        1,777        4,332        4,255

 Depreciation and
  amortization           1,988        2,043        4,707        4,755
   Taxes other
    than income          1,643        1,568        3,824        3,668

  Total costs and
   expenses             30,190       28,821       68,585       65,790
  Operating income       1,453        1,414        3,395        2,704

INTEREST EXPENSE           254          323          621          741
INTEREST INCOME              4            4            8           10

 Income before
  income tax
  expense                1,203        1,095        2,782        1,973

INCOME TAX EXPENSE         439          410        1,015          739
NET INCOME             $   764     $    685    $   1,767     $  1,234

EARNINGS PER SHARE     $  0.09     $   0.08    $    0.20    $    0.14

WEIGHTED AVERAGE
 SHARES
 OUTSTANDING         8,932,722    8,890,004    8,899,082    8,878,140

CONTACT: Bertucci's

Norman S. Mallett

[phone]