<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 29, 2000
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001061588
<NAME> NE RESTAURANT COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-2000
<CASH>                                           2,868
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,298
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,855
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,425
<PP&E>                                         149,278
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,755
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 181,463
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,203
<BONDS>                                        100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            37
<OTHER-SE>                                       6,017
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   181,463
<SALES>                                         67,035
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,035
<CGS>                                           17,563
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   65,538
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,674
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,177)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (705)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,472)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,472)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.49)