- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                  -------------


                                    FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
            (x ) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                 SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)
                    For the fiscal year ended January 1, 1997

                                       OR

            ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
              THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

                           Commission File No. 0-14311


                      FAMILY STEAK HOUSES OF FLORIDA, INC.
             (exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Florida                                        No. 59-2597349
    (State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification)

                             2113 Florida Boulevard
                          Neptune Beach, Florida 32266
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

         Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (904) 249-4197

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                      None

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                          Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
                                (Title of Class)
                              --------------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by  Sections  13 or 15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                   YES (X)     NO__

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.

                                   YES__       NO (X)

As of March 7, 1997,  10,954,960  shares of Common Stock of the registrant  were
outstanding.  The aggregate market value of such voting Common Stock (based upon
the closing sale price of the  registrant's  Common Stock on the NASDAQ National
Market System on March 7, 1997, as reported in The Wall Street  Journal) held by
non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $10,758,319.

                       Documents Incorporated by Reference
  Portions of the registrant's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders
are  incorporated by reference into Part II. Portions of the Proxy Statement for
the  registrant's  1997  Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  are  incorporated  by
reference into Part III.








                                     PART I



ITEM 1.   BUSINESS


General


     Family Steak Houses of Florida,  Inc.  ("Family" or the "Company"),  is the
sole franchisee of Ryan's Family Steak House restaurants ("Ryan's  restaurants")
in the State of Florida.

     The Company's first Ryan's restaurant was opened in Jacksonville,  Florida,
in May 1982. As of January 1, 1997, the Company  operated 25 Ryan's  restaurants
in  Florida,  including  nine in north  Florida  and sixteen in central and west
Florida.

     A Ryan's restaurant is a family-oriented  restaurant serving  high-quality,
reasonably-priced  food in a casual  atmosphere  with  server-assisted  service.
Ryan's  restaurants serve lunch and dinner seven days a week and offer a variety
of charbroiled  entrees,  including various cuts of beef, chicken,  and seafood.
Most of the  restaurants  serve a  brunch  on  weekends  only.  Each  restaurant
features a diverse  selection of items from either a series of "scatter bars" or
a 65-foot, self-service, all-you-can-eat Mega Bartm, and a separate fresh bakery
and dessert bar. In addition to traditional salad bar items, the scatter bars or
Mega  Barstm  offer hot meats,  pre-made  salads,  soups,  baked  potatoes  with
toppings, cheeses and a variety of vegetables.

     The Company  believes  that its operating  strategy of selling  top-quality
meals at reasonable  prices,  at food costs to the Company which are higher than
the industry average, creates a perception of value to its customers.

     The Company  operates its Ryan's  restaurants  under a Franchise  Agreement
with Ryan's Family Steak Houses,  Inc.,  ("Ryan's",  or the "Franchisor")  which
grants the Company the right to operate  Ryan's  Family Steak House  restaurants
throughout North and Central Florida.


Company History

     The Company was formed by the combination,  effective February 1986, of six
limited  partnerships,  each of which  owned and  operated  a Ryan's  restaurant
franchise.  In April 1986,  the Company  issued  4,266,000  shares of its common
stock in exchange for the assets and liabilities of the predecessor partnerships
and  1,134,000  shares  of  its  common  stock  to  Eddie  L.  Ervin,   Jr.,  in
consideration for Mr. Ervin assigning to the Company all of his rights under the
Franchise Agreement,  as defined below. The Company completed its initial public
offering  of  4,500,000  shares of its  common  stock in 1986  resulting  in net
proceeds to the Company of approximately $4,145,000.


                                       2






Franchise Agreement

     The Company  operates its Ryan's  restaurants  under a Franchise  Agreement
between the Company and the  Franchisor  dated as of September  16, 1987,  which
Franchise  Agreement amended and consolidated all previous franchise  agreements
(as amended, the "Franchise Agreement"). The Franchise Agreement extends through
December 31, 2010 and provides for two additional ten-year renewal options.  The
renewal options are subject to certain conditions,  including the condition that
the  Company  has fully  and  faithfully  performed  its  obligations  under the
Franchise  Agreement  during its original term. Under the terms of the Franchise
Agreement,  the Company has the right to use the registered  mark "Ryan's Family
Steak House" and the right to use the  Franchisor's  techniques in the operation
of Ryan's Family Steak House restaurants.

     In 1996,  the Company and the Franchisor  amended the Franchise  Agreement.
The amended agreement  requires the Company to pay a royalty fee of 3.0% through
December 2001 and 4.0%  thereafter  on the gross  receipts of each Ryan's Family
Steak House restaurant. Total royalty fee expenses were $1,138,600,  $1,263,200,
and $1,561,100 for the years ended January 1, 1997, January 3, 1996 and December
28, 1994, respectively.

     The Franchise Agreement requires the Company to operate a minimum number of
Ryan's  restaurants on December 31 of each year.  Failure to operate the minimum
number could result in the loss of  exclusivity  rights to the Ryan's concept in
the Company's Florida  territory.  The following schedule outlines the number of
Ryan's restaurants required to be operated by the Company on December 31 of each
year under the Franchise Agreement:

                                           Number of
                                     Restaurants Required to
End of Fiscal Year                       be in Operation
- ------------------                       ---------------

1997                                           25
1998                                           26
1999                                           27
2000                                           28
2001 and subsequent years         Increases by one each year

                                       3




     Prior to July 1994,  the Company held exclusive  franchise  rights to build
Ryan's  restaurants in the State of Florida,  with the exception of Panama City,
Florida and Escambia  County,  Florida,  where the  Franchisor  has the right to
operate Ryan's restaurants.  In July 1994 the Company relinquished the franchise
rights to most  counties in northwest  Florida and south Florida in exchange for
forgiveness  of $500,000 in past due royalty fees.  The Company has the right to
repurchase the exclusive  franchise rights to these counties for $500,000 at any
time prior to June 30, 1998. In addition,  the Franchisor  agreed not to develop
any Ryan's  restaurants in the south Florida  territory  prior to June 30, 1996.
Ryan's has not developed any restaurants in Florida as of March 13, 1997.

     In July 1994,  the Company  executed and delivered a note to the Franchisor
for  payment  of  $800,000  in  past  due  royalty  fees.  (See  Note  5 to  the
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  in the  Company's  1996  Annual  Report  to
Shareholders).

     The Franchise  Agreement contains  provisions  relating to the operation of
the Company's Ryan's restaurants. Upon the Company's failure to comply with such
provisions, the Franchisor may terminate the Franchise Agreement if such default
is not cured within 30 days of notice from the  Franchisor.  Termination  of the
Franchise  Agreement  would result in the loss of the Company's right to use the
"Ryan's Family Steak House" name and concept and could result in the sale of the
physical  assets of the Company to the  Franchisor  pursuant to a right of first
refusal.  Termination of the Company's rights under the Franchise  Agreement may
result in the  disruption,  and possibly the  discontinuance,  of the  Company's
operations. The Company believes that it has operated and maintained each of its
Ryan's  Family  Steak  House  restaurants  in  accordance  with the  operational
procedures and standards set forth in the Franchise Agreement, as amended.


Operations of Ryan's Restaurants


     Format.  As of March 5, 1997, 24 of the Company's  Ryan's  Restaurants  are
located  in  free-standing  buildings  which  vary in size from  7,500 to 12,000
square feet. One of the Company's Ryan's  restaurants is located in a mall. Each
restaurant is constructed of brick or stucco walls, interior and exterior,  with
exposed woodwork. The interior of each Ryan's restaurant contains a dining room,
a  customer  ordering  area,  and a kitchen.  The  dining  rooms seat a total of
between 270 and 500 persons and highlight centrally located, illuminated scatter
bars or Mega Bars[tm] and a fresh bakery bar. Each Ryan's restaurant has parking
for  approximately  100 to 175  cars on lots of  overall  size of  approximately
50,000 to 70,000 square feet.

     The  Ryan's  restaurants  operate  seven  days a  week.  Typical  hours  of
operation are from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.,  Sunday through  Thursday,  and from
11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday.  Restaurants that open for brunch
open at 8:00 a.m.  Saturday  and Sunday.  In a Ryan's  restaurant,  the customer
enters the  restaurant,  orders from the menu,  and then enters the dining room.
Beverages are brought to the table by servers.  Entrees are cooked to order. The
customer ordering the salad bar is given unlimited access to the scatter bars or
Mega Barstm and the bakery dessert bar.  Customers  receive table service of the
entree and beverage  refills.  For the year ended  January 1, 1997,  the average
weekly  customer count per restaurant  was  approximately  5,200 and the average
cost of a meal, with beverage, was approximately $5.90.

                                       4




     Restaurant  Management  and  Supervision.  The  Company  manages the Ryan's
restaurants  pursuant to a standardized  operating and control  system  together
with  comprehensive  recruiting  and training of personnel to maintain  food and
service quality.  In each Ryan's restaurant,  the management group consists of a
general  manager,  a manager and one to three assistant  managers,  depending on
sales volume.  The Company requires at least two members of the management group
on duty during all peak serving  periods.  Management-  level personnel  usually
begin employment at the manager trainee or assistant manager level, depending on
prior restaurant management experience.  All new management-level personnel must
complete  the  Company's  six-week  training  period  prior to being placed in a
management position.

     Each restaurant  management group reports to a supervisor.  Presently,  the
supervisors  each  oversee  the  operations  of six to  seven  restaurants.  The
supervisors  report directly to the Vice President of Operations.  Communication
and support  from all  departments  in the  Company  are  designed to assist the
supervisors in responding promptly to local problems and opportunities.

     All restaurant  managers and supervisors  participate in incentive programs
based upon the  profitability  of their  restaurants and upon the achievement of
certain pre-set goals. The Company  believes these incentive  programs enable it
to operate more efficiently and to attract qualified managers.

     Purchasing,  Quality  and  Cost  Control.  The  Company  has a  centralized
purchase  control program which is designed to ensure uniform product quality in
all restaurants.  The program also helps to maintain reduced food, beverage, and
supply costs. The Company  purchases  approximately  90% of the products used by
the Company's restaurants through the centralized purchase control program. USDA
choice grain-fed beef, the Company's primary commodity,  is closely monitored by
the  Company  for  advantageous  purchasing  and  quality  control.  The Company
purchases  beef through  various  producers and brokers both on a contract basis
and on a spot basis. Beef and other products are generally delivered directly to
the restaurants three times weekly, except for fresh produce, which is delivered
three to five times per week. The Company believes that satisfactory  sources of
supply are available for all the items it regularly uses.

                                       5







     The Franchise  Agreement  requires that all suppliers to Ryan's restaurants
are subject to approval by the  Franchisor.  Through its  relationship  with the
Franchisor,  the Company has obtained  favorable pricing on the purchase of food
products from several suppliers. In June 1995, the Company renewed its agreement
with  Kraft  Foodservice,  Inc.  to serve as its  primary  supplier.  Kraft  was
subsequently purchased by Alliant Foodservice,  Inc. The Alliant agreement has a
five-year term and is cancellable at any time with 60 days notice.

     The Company maintains centralized financial and accounting controls for its
restaurants.  On a daily basis,  restaurant  managers  forward  customer counts,
sales  information and supplier  invoices to Company  headquarters.  On a weekly
basis,  restaurant  managers forward  summarized sales reports and payroll data.
Physical  inventories of all food and supply items are taken weekly, and meat is
inventoried daily.



Development

     General. The Company operated 25 Ryan's restaurants as of March 5, 1997.

     Site Location and Construction. The Company considers the specific location
of a restaurant to be important to its  long-term  success.  The site  selection
process focuses on a variety of factors, including trade area demographics (such
as  population  density and  household  income  level),  an  evaluation  of site
characteristics (such as visibility,  accessibility, and traffic volume), and an
analysis of the potential competition. In addition, site selection is influenced
by the  general  proximity  of a site to other  Ryan's  restaurants  in order to
improve  the  efficiency  of  the  Company's  field  supervisors  and  potential
marketing  programs.  The  Company  generally  locates its  restaurants  near or
adjacent to residential areas in an effort to capitalize on repeat business from
such areas as opposed to transient business.



                                       6




     The  Company  constructs  its  Ryan's  restaurants  using  its  contracting
subsidiary. Management believes that by performing site selection and restaurant
construction  internally,  the  Company  can  maintain  better  control  of site
selection, real estate cost and construction performance.  While the Company has
not required  performance and payment bonds, it undertakes to closely  supervise
and  monitor  all  construction  and  confirm  payment  of  subcontractors   and
suppliers. New Ryan's restaurants generally are completed within three months of
the date on which construction is commenced.

     Management of New Restaurants.  When a new Ryan's restaurant is opened, the
principal  restaurant  management  positions are staffed with personnel who have
prior  experience  in  a  management   position  at  another  of  the  Company's
restaurants and who have undergone special training. Prior to opening, all staff
personnel at the new location undergo one week of intensive  training  conducted
by a training team. Such training includes preopening drills in which test meals
are  served  to the  invited  public.  Both the  staff at the new  location  and
personnel  experienced in store openings at other  locations  participate in the
training and drills.



Joint Venture

     In December  1994, the Company  formed a new  subsidiary,  Family Steak JV,
Inc.  which  acquired a 50% ownership in a Florida  limited  liability  company,
Cross Creek Barbeque,  L.C.  ("Cross  Creek"),  for the purpose of opening a new
restaurant. The Company contributed certain furnishings, fixtures, and equipment
owned by its Wrangler's Roadhouse, Inc. subsidiary ("Wrangler's") to Cross Creek
and the other 50% owner of Cross Creek contributed the cash necessary to remodel
and  open  the  new  Cross  Creek  restaurant.  As a  result  of  unsatisfactory
operational  performance,  the  Company  sold its  interest  in the Cross  Creek
restaurant in July 1995.  Wrangler's leased the land and building to Cross Creek
until May 1996, when it sold them at a gain of approximately $5,000.

Proprietary Trade Marks

     The name  "Ryan's  Family Steak  House,"  along with all  ancillary  signs,
building  design and other symbols used in  conjunction  with the name,  and the
name "Mega Bar", are the primary trademarks and service marks of the Franchisor.
Such marks are registered in the United States.  All of these  registrations and
the  goodwill  associated  with  the  Franchisor's  trademarks  are of  material
importance to the  Company's  business and are licensed to the Company under the
Franchise Agreement.

                                       7




Competition

     The food  service  business in Florida is highly  competitive  and is often
affected  by  changes  in the taste and eating  habits of the  public,  economic
conditions affecting spending habits,  local demographics,  traffic patterns and
local and national  economic  conditions.  The principal bases of competition in
the industry are the quality and price of the food products  offered.  Location,
speed of  service  and  attractiveness  of the  facilities  are  also  important
factors. The Company's  restaurants are in competition with restaurants operated
or franchised by national,  regional and local restaurant  companies  offering a
similar menu, many of which have greater resources than the Company. The Company
also is in competition with specialty food outlets and other vendors of food.

     The  amount  of  new  competition   near  Company   restaurants   increased
significantly  in 1996,  and is expected  to  continue to increase in 1997.  The
increased  competition  had a  significant  negative  impact  on  sales in 1996.
Management  has  developed  a plan to attempt to reduce the  negative  impact on
sales from new  competition  in 1997,  but there can be no assurance  that sales
trends  will  improve.  In  addition,  the  Franchisor  has the right to operate
restaurants in several other west Florida and south Florida counties.

Employees

     As of January 1, 1997, the Company employed approximately 1,400 persons, of
whom approximately 50% are considered by management as part-time  employees.  No
labor unions currently represent any of the Company's employees. The Company has
not experienced any work stoppages  attributable to labor disputes and considers
employee relations to be good.

Executive Officers

     The  following  persons were  executive  officers of the Company  effective
January 1, 1997:

     Lewis E.  Christman,  Jr., age 77, has been  President and Chief  Executive
Officer of the Company since April 1994. Mr. Christman was hired as a consultant
to oversee and direct the Company's  purchasing  program in January 1994 and has
been a Director of the Company since May 1993. In addition, Mr. Christman serves
as President of each of the  Company's  subsidiaries.  Mr.  Christman has been a
partner in East Coast  Marketing  since 1990.  From 1979 to 1989, Mr.  Christman
served as Chairman of the Board of Neptune  Marketing,  Inc.,  a food  brokerage
company.


                                       8





     Edward B.  Alexander,  age 38, has been Vice  President  of  Finance  since
December 1996, and was Secretary and Treasurer of the Company from November 1990
to December  1996.  In addition,  Mr.  Alexander  was  appointed to the Board of
Directors  in May  1996,  and  serves  as  Secretary  of each  of the  Company's
subsidiaries.  Mr.  Alexander  served as  controller of the Company from January
1989 to April 1990.  From April 1985 until  December  1988,  Mr.  Alexander  was
employed  as  controller  for Mac  Papers,  Inc.,  a  wholesale  paper  products
distributor.  Prior to April 1985, Mr. Alexander  served as a senior  accountant
for the accounting firm of Touche Ross & Co.

     Michael  J.  Walters,  age 34,  has been  Secretary  of the  Company  since
December  1996.  Mr.  Walters  has served as  Controller  of the  Company  since
September  1990. From May 1987 to September 1990, Mr. Walters was employed as an
accountant for the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche.


Government Regulation

     The Company is subject to the Fair Labor  Standards  Act which governs such
matters as minimum wage requirements,  overtime and other working conditions.  A
large number of the Company's restaurant personnel are paid at or slightly above
the federal minimum wage level and, accordingly, any change in such minimum wage
will affect the Company's labor costs.  The Company is also subject to the Equal
Employment  Opportunity  Act and a variety of  federal  and state  statutes  and
regulations.  The Company's  restaurants are constructed to meet local and state
building  requirements  and are  operated  in  accordance  with  state and local
regulations relating to the preparation and service of food.

     The  Company  believes  that  it  is in  substantial  compliance  with  all
applicable  federal,  state and local statutues,  regulations and ordinances and
that   compliance  has  had  no  material   effect  on  the  Company's   capital
expenditures,  earnings or  competitive  position,  and such  compliance  is not
expected to have a material  adverse effect upon the Company's  operations.  The
Company,  however,  cannot predict the impact of possible future  legislation or
regulation on its operations.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

     The  Company  procures  its food  and  other  products  from a  variety  of
suppliers,  and follows a policy of obtaining its food and products from several
major suppliers under competitive terms. A substantial  portion of the beef used
by the Company is obtained  from one  supplier,  although  the Company  believes
comparable beef meeting its  specifications is available in adequate  quantities
from  other  suppliers.  To  ensure  against  interruption  in the  flow of food
supplies  due to  unforeseen  or  catastrophic  events,  to  take  advantage  of
favorable  purchasing  opportunities,  and to insure  that meat  received by the
Company is  properly  aged,  the  Company  maintains a two to six week supply of
beef.


                                       9




Working Capital Requirements

     Substantially  all of the  Company's  revenues are derived from cash sales.
Inventories  are  purchased  on credit and are  converted  rapidly to cash.  The
Company does not maintain  significant  receivables and inventories.  Therefore,
with the exception of debt service,  working capital requirements for continuing
operations are not significant.

     In December  1996,  the Company  entered  into a Loan  Agreement  with FFCA
Mortgage  Corporation  ("FFCA").  The Loan Agreement governs eighteen Promissory
Notes  payable  to  FFCA.  Each  note is  secured  by a  mortgage  on a  Company
restaurant property with a total outstanding principal balance of $15,360,000 as
of January 1, 1997. The Promissory  Notes provide for a term of twenty years and
an  interest  rate  equal to the  thirty-day  LIBOR  rate plus  3.75%,  adjusted
monthly.  The Loan  Agreement  provides  for various  covenants,  including  the
maintenance of prescribed debt service coverages.

     The Company used the proceeds of the  Promissory  Notes to retire its notes
with  Cerberus  Partners,  L.P.  and its loan with the Daiwa  Bank  Limited  and
SouthTrust  Bank of  Alabama,  N.A.  The  Company  realized  a  discount  on the
retirement of the Cerberus notes, which was partially offset by unamortized debt
issuance  costs.  The resulting  gain of $348,500 net of income taxes,  has been
accounted  for as an  extraordinary  item.  In  addition,  the  Company  retired
Warrants for 1,050,000  shares of the Company's  common stock previously held by
Cerberus.  Cerberus continues to hold Warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of the
Company's common stock at an exercise price of $.40 per share.

     Also in December 1996,  the Company  entered into a separate loan agreement
with FFCA under which it may borrow up to an additional $4,640,000 in 1997. This
additional  financing  would be evidenced by four  additional  Promissory  Notes
secured  by  mortgage  on four  Company  restaurant  properties.  The  terms and
interest  rate of this  loan  agreement  are  identical  to the  loan  agreement
described above.

                                       10





Seasonality

     The  Company's  operations  are  subject  to  some  seasonal  fluctuations.
Revenues  per  restaurant  generally  increase  from January  through  April and
decline from September through December.

Research

     The Company relies primarily on the Franchisor to maintain ongoing research
programs relating to the development of new products and evaluation of marketing
activities.  Although  research and development  activities are important to the
Company,  no expenditures for research and development have been incurred by the
Company.

Customers

     No  material  part of the  Company's  business is  dependent  upon a single
customer or a few customers.

Information as to Classes of Similar Products or Services

     The Company operates in only one industry segment. All significant revenues
and  pre-tax  earnings  relate to  retail  sales of food to the  general  public
through  restaurants  owned and  operated  by the  Company.  The  Company has no
operations outside the continental United States.




ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

     Location                 Date Opened
     --------                 -----------

     Jacksonville            May       1982
     Jacksonville            May       1983
     Jacksonville            November  1983
     Orange Park             May       1984
     Jacksonville            May       1985
     Jacksonville            July      1985
     Ocala                   September 1986
     Neptune Beach           November  1986
     Lakeland                February  1987
     Lakeland                March     1987
     Winter Haven            August    1987
     Apopka                  September 1987
     Gainesville             December  1987
     Hudson                  February  1988
     New Port Richey         May       1988
     Tampa                   June      1988
     Tallahassee             August    1988
     Daytona Beach           September 1988
     Tampa                   November  1988
     Orlando                 January   1989
     Orlando                 February  1989
     Clearwater              August    1989
     Melbourne               November  1989
     Lake City               March     1991
     Brooksville             January   1997

                                       11




     As of March 5,  1997,  the  Company  operated  25 Ryan's  restaurants.  The
specific  rate at which  the  Company  is able to open new  restaurants  will be
determined by its ability to locate suitable sites on satisfactory  terms, raise
the necessary capital, secure appropriate governmental permits and approvals and
recruit and train management personnel.

     As of January 1, 1997,  the Company  owned the real property on which 22 of
its  restaurants  were  located.  Eighteen of these  properties  were subject to
mortgages securing the FFCA Notes.

     The Company leases the real property on which three of its  restaurants are
located.  Those  restaurants are located in Jacksonville,  Florida,  Clearwater,
Florida and Brooksville, Florida.

     The executive  offices of the Company,  consisting of  approximately  3,500
square feet, are leased at a monthly rental rate of $2,680, plus sales tax, from
Barbara Smith, the wife of the late William Stanley Smith, Jr., a former officer
and director of the Company.  The Company paid $34,254 in rental payments to Mr.
and Mrs. Smith in fiscal year 1996.

     The Company  currently  leases  2,800  square feet of mixed  warehouse  and
office  space from Eddie L. Ervin,  Jr., a former  officer  and  director of the
Company.  The aggregate monthly payment due is approximately  $1,495, plus sales
tax.  The Company  paid  $20,065 in rental  payments to Mr. Ervin in fiscal year
1996.



ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

       The Company is subject to various  pending legal  proceedings  arising in
the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based on the advice
of legal counsel,  the ultimate  disposition of these claims and litigation will
not have  material  adverse  effect on the  financial  position  or  results  of
operations of the Company.



ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     None.



                                       12





                                     PART II


ITEM 5.  MARKET  FOR THE  REGISTRANT'S  COMMON  EQUITY AND  RELATED  STOCKHOLDER
         MATTERS

     The  information  contained  under the caption  "Common  Stock Data" in the
Company's  1996  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders  is  incorporated   herein  by
reference.



ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The information  contained under the caption "Five-Year  Financial Summary"
in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders  is  incorporated  herein by
reference.



ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

     The information  contained under the caption  "Management's  Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's 1996
Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.



ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of the  Company and the Report of
Independent  Certified  Public  Accountants  as contained in the Company's  1996
Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference.



ITEM  9.  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None.



                                    PART III



ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The information  regarding  directors contained under the caption "Election
of Directors" in the Company's  Proxy  Statement for the 1997 Annual  Meeting of
Shareholders,  which will be filed with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
prior to May 1, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference.

     Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  Rules  under  Section  16(a)  of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 require the Company's  officers and  directors,
and persons who own more than 10% of a registered  class of the Company's equity
securities,  to file  reports of  ownership  and changes in  ownership  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  and the National  Association of Securities
Dealers and to furnish the Company  with copies of all Section  16(a) forms they
file.


                                       13




     Based  solely on its review of the copies of such forms  received  by it or
written  representations  from  certain  reporting  persons that no Forms 5 were
required for those persons,  the Company  believes that,  during the 1996 fiscal
year,  all  filing  requirements  applicable  to its  officers,  directors,  and
greater-than-10%  beneficial owners were complied with on a timely basis, except
as set forth under the caption  "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934" in the  Company's  Proxy  Statement  for the 1996  Annual
Meeting of  Shareholders,  which will be filed with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission prior to May 1, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference.

     The information regarding executive officers is set forth in Item 1 of this
report under the caption "Executive Officers."



ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The  information  contained  under  the  caption  "Executive  Pay"  in  the
Company's  Proxy  Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of  Shareholders,  which
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission prior to May 1, 1997,
is incorporated herein by reference.



ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The information  contained under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial  Owners and Management" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1996
Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders,  which will be filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission prior to May 1, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference.



ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The  information  contained  under the  caption  "Election  of  Directors -
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in the Company's Proxy Statement
for the 1996  Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders,  which  will be filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission prior to May 1, 1997, is incorporated herein
by reference.


                                       14






                                     PART IV


ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND
          REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a)1.     The  financial  statements  listed below are filed with this report on
          Form 10-K or are  incorporated  herein by reference from the Company's
          1996 Annual  Report to  Shareholders.  With the exception of the pages
          listed  below,  the 1996 Annual Report to  Shareholders  is not deemed
          "filed" as a part of this report on Form 10-K.

                                                      Page
                                                    Reference
                                                    ---------
                                             Form                  1996
                                             10-K              Annual Report
                                             ----              -------------

Consent of Independent Certified
  Public Accountants                         F-1
Independent Auditors' Report                                        24
Consolidated Statements of Operations                               10
Consolidated Balance Sheets                                         11
Consolidated Statements of Share-
  holders' Equity                                                   12
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                               13
Notes to Consolidated Financial
  Statements                                                        14


(a)2.     No financial statement schedules have been included since the required
          information is not applicable or the information  required is included
          in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

(a)3.     The following  exhibits are filed as part of this report on Form 10-K,
          and this list comprises the Exhibit Index.

     No.  Exhibit
     ---  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     3.01 Articles of  Incorporation  of Family  Steak  Houses of Florida,  Inc.
          (Exhibit  3.01 to the  Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1,
          Registration No. 33-1887, is incorporated herein by reference.)

     3.02 Bylaws of Family Steak Houses of Florida,  Inc.  (Exhibit  3.02 to the
          Company's   Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-1,  Registration  No.
          33-1887, is incorporated herein by reference.)


                                       15




     3.03 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Family Steak
          Houses of Florida,  Inc.  (Exhibit 3.03 to the Company's  Registration
          Statement  on Form S-1,  Registration  No.  33-1887,  is  incorporated
          herein by reference.)

     3.04 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Family Steak
          Houses of Florida,  Inc.  (Exhibit 3.04 to the Company's  Registration
          Statement  on Form S-1,  Registration  No.  33-1887,  is  incorporated
          herein by reference.)

     3.05 Amended and Restated  Bylaws of Family  Steak Houses of Florida,  Inc.
          (Exhibit 4 to the  Company's  Form 8-A,  filed with the  Commission on
          March 19, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference.)

     3.06 Shareholder  Rights  Agreement,  dated March 19, 1997,  by and between
          Family  Steak Houses of Florida,  Inc.  and Chase  Mellon  Shareholder
          Services,  LLC (Exhibit 1 to the  Company's  Form 8- A, filed with the
          Commission on March 19, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference.)

     3.07 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Family Steak
          Houses of  Florida,  Inc.  (Exhibit 3 to the  Company's  Form 8-A,  is
          incorporated herein by reference.)

     4.01 Specimen Stock  Certificate  for shares of the Company's  Common Stock
          (Exhibit  4.01 to the  Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1,
          Registration No. 33-1887, is incorporated herein by reference.)

    10.01 Amended  Franchise  Agreement  between Family Steak Houses of Florida,
          Inc. and Ryan's Family Steak Houses,  Inc.,  dated September 16, 1987.
          (Exhibit  10.01 to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1,
          filed  with the  Commission  on  October  2,  1987,  Registration  No.
          33-17620, is incorporated herein by reference.)

    10.02 Lease  regarding the  restaurant  located at 3549 Blanding  Boulevard,
          Jacksonville,  Florida  (Exhibit  10.03 to the Company's  Registration
          Statement  on Form S-1,  Registration  No.  33-1887,  is  incorporated
          herein by reference.)

    10.03 Lease,  dated  May 18,  1989,  between  the  Company  and  Stoneybrook
          Associates,  Ltd., for a restaurant  located in  Clearwater,  Florida.
          (Exhibit  10.25 to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1,
          filed with the  Commission  on September  29, 1989,  Registration  No.
          33-17620, is incorporated herein by reference.)


                                       16




    10.04 Amended and Restated Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock,  void
          after October 1, 2003, which represents warrants issued to The Phoenix
          Insurance Company,  The Travelers Indemnity Company, and The Travelers
          Insurance  Company,  (subsequently  transferred to Cerberus  Partners,
          L.P.)  (Exhibit  10.07 to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,
          filed with the Commission on March 28, 1995, is incorporated herein by
          reference).

    10.05 Warrant to  Purchase  Shares of Common  Stock,  void after  October 1,
          2003,  which  represents  warrants  issued  to The  Phoenix  Insurance
          Company,  The Travelers Indemnity Company, and The Travelers Insurance
          Company.   (subsequently   transferred  to  Cerberus  Partners,  L.P.)
          (Exhibit 10.08 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with
          the  Commission  on  March  28,  1995,  is   incorporated   herein  by
          reference).

    10.06 Lease dated March 1, 1994 between the Company and Eddie L. Ervin, Jr.,
          for corporate  office and warehouse  space in Neptune Beach,  Florida.
          (Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with
          the  Commission  on  March  28,  1995,  is   incorporated   herein  by
          reference).

    10.07 Lease  dated March 1, 1994  between  the  Company and William  Stanley
          Smith, Jr., for executive offices in Neptune Beach, Florida.  (Exhibit
          10.16 to the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form  10-K,  filed with the
          Commission on March 28, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference).

    10.08 Amendment of Franchise  Agreement  between Ryan's Family Steak Houses,
          Inc.  and the  Company  dated  July 11,  1994.  (Exhibit  10.17 to the
          Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K,  filed with the  Commission on
          March 28, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference).

    10.09 Agreement  between  the Company and Kraft  Foodservice,  Inc.,  as the
          Company's  primary food product  distribution.  (Exhibit  10.06 to the
          Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-Q,  filed with the  Commission on
          August 9, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference).

    10.10 Employment  agreement  between the  Company  and Edward B.  Alexander,
          dated as of October 1, 1996. (Exhibit 10.01 to the Company's Quarterly
          Report on Form 10-Q,  filed with the  Commission on November 18, 1996,
          is incorporated herein by reference).



                                       17




    10.11 Lease Agreement between the Company and CNL American  Properties Fund,
          Inc., dated as of September 18, 1996.  (Exhibit 10.02 to the Company's
          Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q,  filed with the Commission on November
          18, 1996 is hereby incorporated by reference).

    10.12 Construction  Addendum between the Company and CNL American Properties
          Fund,  Inc.,  dated as of September  18, 1996.  (Exhibit  10.03 to the
          Company's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on
          November 18, 1996 is hereby incorporated by reference).

    10.13 Rent Addendum to Lease Agreement  between the Company and CNL American
          Properties Fund, Inc., dated as of September 18, 1996.  (Exhibit 10.04
          to the  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q,  filed  with  the
          Commission on November 18, 1996 is hereby incorporated by reference).

    10.14 Amendment  of  Franchise  Agreement  between  the  Company  and Ryan's
          Family Steak Houses, Inc. dated October 3, 1996.

    10.15 Employment agreement between the Company and Lewis E. Christman,  Jr.,
          dated as of December 30, 1996.  (Exhibit 2 to the  Company's  Schedule
          14D-9,  filed  with  the  Commission  on  March  19,  1997  is  hereby
          incorporated by reference.)

    10.16 Consulting  agreement between the Company and Robert J. Martin,  dated
          as of January 8, 1997.  (Exhibit 4 to the  Company's  Schedule  14D-9,
          filed with the Commission on March 19, 1997 is hereby  incorporated by
          reference.)

    10.17 $15.36m  Loan  Agreement,   between  the  Company  and  FFCA  Mortgage
          Corporation, dated December 18, 1996.

    10.18 $4.64m  Loan   Agreement,   between  the  Company  and  FFCA  Mortgage
          Corporation, dated December 18, 1996.

    10.19 Form  of  Promissory  Note  between  the  Company  and  FFCA  Mortgage
          Corporation, dated December 18, 1996.


                                       18




    10.20 Form of Mortgage  between the Company and FFCA  Mortgage  Corporation,
          dated  December 18, 1996 (Exhibit 5 to the Company's  Schedule  14D-9,
          filed with the Commission on March 19, 1997 is hereby  incorporated by
          reference.)

    10.21 Form of Environmental  Agreement between the Company and FFCA Mortgage
          Corporation, dated March 18, 1996.

    13.01 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.

    21.01 Family Rustic Investments,  Inc., a Florida  corporation,  Steak House
          Construction Corporation, a Florida corporation, Wrangler's Roadhouse,
          Inc.,  a Florida  corporation  and Steak House Realty  Corporation,  a
          Florida corporation, are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.

    23.0l Consent  of  Independent  Certified  Public  Accountants  - Deloitte &
          Touche LLP.

    27.00 Financial data schedules (electronic filing only).


(b)  None.

(c)  See (a)3.  above for a list of all exhibits  filed herewith and the Exhibit
     Index.

(d)  None.


                                       19




                INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT


We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  in this Annual  Report of Family
Steak  Houses of Florida,  Inc. on Form 10-K of our report  dated  February  27,
1997, appearing in the 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders of Family Steak Houses
of Florida, Inc.

We  additionally  consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  Registration
Statement No.  33-11684  pertaining to the 1986 Employee  Incentive Stock Option
Plan of Family  Steak  Houses of Florida,  Inc. on Form S-8 of our report  dated
February  27, 1997  appearing  in and  incorporated  by reference in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Family Steak  Houses of Florida,  Inc. for the year ended
January 1, 1997.

We further consent to the  incorporation by reference in Registration  Statement
No. 33-12556 pertaining to the 1986 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
of Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated February
27, 1997  appearing in and  incorporated  by reference in this Annual  Report on
Form 10-K of Family Steak Houses of Florida,  Inc. for the year ended January 1,
1997.

We further consent to the  incorporation by reference in Registration  Statement
No.  33-62101  pertaining to the 1996 Long Term  Incentive  Plan of Family Steak
Houses of  Florida,  Inc.  on Form S-8 of our report  dated  February  27,  1997
appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. for the year ended January 1, 1997.





Deloitte & Touche LLP


Jacksonville, Florida
March 25, 1997



                                      F-1





                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                            FAMILY STEAK HOUSES OF FLORIDA, INC.


Date:   March 26, 1997                     BY: /s/ Lewis E. Christman, Jr.
                                               ---------------------------
                                              Lewis E. Christman, Jr., President



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been  signed by the  following  persons on behalf of the  Registrant  in the
capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature                          Title                          Date
- ---------                          -----                          ----


/s/ Lewis E. Christman, Jr.        President (Principal           March 26, 1997
Lewis E. Christman, Jr.            Executive Officer
                                   and Director)


/s/ Edward B. Alexander            Vice President and Director    March 26, 1997
Edward B. Alexander                (Principal Financial and
                                   Accounting Officer)


/s/ Robert J. Martin               Director                       March 26, 1997
Robert J. Martin


/s/ Michael J. Walters             Controller                     March 26, 1997
Michael J. Walters


/s/ Joseph M. Glickstein, Jr.      Director                       March 26, 1997
Joseph M. Glickstein, Jr.


/s/ Richard M. Gray                Director                       March 26, 1997
Richard M. Gray