Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 27, 1993                   TAG: 9310270018
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

REPORTED EARNINGS

Buffets Inc., Eden Prairie, Minn., restaurant company operating Old Country Buffet in Roanoke County, on Tuesday said it marked its 10th anniversary with the most profitable quarter in its history.

Third-quarter net earnings rose 35 percent, to $5.6 million from $4.2 million in the 1992 quarter. Earnings per share increased 29 percent, to 18 cents from 14 cents. Restaurant sales rose 41 percent, to $85 million from $60 million.

For the 40 weeks ended Oct. 6, 1993, net earnings rose 28 percent, to $15.3 million from $12 million in the 1992 period. Earnings per share were up 25 percent, to 50 cents from 40 cents. Restaurant sales increased 33 percent, to $251 million from $189 million.

WLR Foods

WLR Foods Inc., a Hinton chicken and turkey processor operating a distribution center in Roanoke for its Cassco Ice & Cold Storage subsidiary, reported first-quarter net earnings of $3.8 million, or 35 cents per share, down from $4.2 million, or 41 cents per share, in the 1992 quarter. Net sales were $179 million, up 27 percent from $140.7 million.