<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CAFETERIA
OPERATORS, L.P. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 28,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1999
<CASH>                                           5,163
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      908
<ALLOWANCES>                                        14
<INVENTORY>                                      6,544
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,462
<PP&E>                                         113,662
<DEPRECIATION>                                  59,076
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  79,163
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,588
<BONDS>                                         55,220
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (19,340)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    79,163
<SALES>                                        188,060
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               188,060
<CGS>                                           56,036
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,036
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               123,636
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 322
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,066
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,066
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,066
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0