Boston Restaurant Associates' Polcari North End Reports Preliminary Third-Quarter Sales Increase.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 1999--Boston Restaurant Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRAI, BRAIW) (BSE: BNR, BNRW) announced today that the preliminary results for third-quarter sales for Polcari's North End restaurant in Boston were up 14 percent compared with third-quarter sales for last year.

The restaurant also completed its fourth consecutive calendar year of strong unit sales growth, it was announced by George Chapdelaine, president and chief executive officer.

"The continued success and profitability of Polcari's North End reinforces our decision to expand this exciting concept outside the Boston market," Chapdelaine said. "We believe Polcari's, our landmark Italian eatery, represents a tremendous opportunity for future expansion."

Boston Restaurant Associates is the majority owner of the recently formed Regina Ventures LLC, a joint venture company that will manage the expansion and franchising of the Polcari concept. Regina Ventures has met the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission to begin franchising the Polcari's concept. The company plans to sell territory franchises and is already negotiating franchise agreements with developers.

Initially, the Polcari's Bistro concept will be developed in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Regina Ventures is also seeking sites to expand the concept in the greater Boston area, where the company expects to build at least one new unit during the 1999 calendar year.

The full-service restaurants will feature authentic Italian-American cuisine and a decor typical of the 1950's. The restaurants will offer a take-out menu that will include Pizzeria Regina-brand brick oven pizza.

Boston Restaurant Associates Inc. owns and operates a chain of 10 Pizzerias under the name of Pizzeria Regina in Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia, and an Italian restaurant, Polcari's North End, in Boston.

Statements about the company's future expectations, including future expansions, franchising, future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in the press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors create thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time the company's actual results could differ materially from expected results.