Stater Bros 8-K Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. Sales and Profits Increase In 1ST Quarter

Exhibit 99.1
Contact:
Phil Smith
Stater Bros. Holdings Inc.
(909)733-5287

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC. SALES AND PROFITS INCREASE
IN 1^ST QUARTER

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA.-February 12, 2008: Today, Jack H. Brown, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 ended December 30, 2007.

Sales for the thirteen week first quarter ended December 30, 2007, increased 4.3% to $943.0 million compared to $904.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 24, 2006. The timing of the Christmas holiday added one more sales day in first quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Christmas day, the only day that the Company’s stores are closed, fell in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. After taking into consideration the effect of Christmas day, like store sales increased 3.3% for the thirteen weeks ended December 30, 2007 compared to the thirteen weeks ended December 24, 2006.

The Company reported net income for the thirteen week first quarter ended December 30, 2007 of $10.8 million compared to net income of $9.9 million for the thirteen week first quarter ended December 24, 2006.

Brown said; “The first quarter results were in line with management’s projections as we remain committed to being the low price leader while providing a friendly and satisfying shopping experience to our “Valued Customers” on each and every one of their visits to our Supermarkets. Our transition into our new Corporate Office and Distribution Center is on schedule and moving along as planned.”

Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. is the largest privately held Supermarket Chain in Southern California and operates 164 supermarkets through its wholly owned subsidiary, Stater Bros. Markets.

For information contact: Jack H. Brown, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at (909) 733-5000.

STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
Unaudited

	09/30/07		12/30/07
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	277,062	$	209,473
Restricted cash		8,121		5,621
Receivables, net		46,391		53,818
Inventories		202,073		212,875
Other		34,965		35,203
Total current assets		568,612		516,990
Property and equipment, net		629,644		665,854
Deferred debt issuance costs, net		17,671		16,869
Other		54,351		56,000
Total assets	$	1,270,278	$	1,255,713
Liabilities and stockholder’s equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	187,978	$	184,979
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		142,597		113,577
Current portion of capital lease obligations		1,008		1,044
Total current liabilities		331,583		299,600
Long-term debt		810,000		810,000
Capital lease obligations, less current portion		6,285		6,010
Other long-term liabilities		113,131		120,073
Total stockholder’s equity		9,279		20,030
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity	$	1,270,278	$	1,255,713

STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands)
Unaudited

	13 Weeks			13 Weeks
	Ended			Ended
	12/24/06			12/30/07
Sales	$	904,354		$	943,030
Gross profit		241,890			244,429
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses		201,801			204,318
Depreciation and amortization		11,884			12,908
Total operating expenses		213,685			217,226
Operating profit		28,205			27,203
Interest income		2,826			2,391
Interest expense		(14,285	)		(13,581	)
Other income (expenses), net		(171	)		1,875
Income before income taxes		16,575			17,888
Income taxes		6,673			7,137
Net income	$	9,902		$	10,751