Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of
Form S-8 (File No. 333-64091) and related Prospectus relating to the Shoney's,
Inc. 1998 Stock Plan; the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-
20875) and related Prospectus pertaining to the Shoney's, Inc. 1996 Stock
Option Plan; the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-11717) and
the related Prospectus pertaining to the Shoney's, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan;
the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-11715) and the related
Prospectus pertaining to the Shoney's, Inc. 1981 Stock Option Plan;
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File
No. 33-605) and related Prospectus pertaining to the Shoney's, Inc. Employee
Stock Purchase Plan; Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 2-84763) and related Prospectus pertaining to
the Shoney's, Inc. 1981 Stock Option Plan; Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to
the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-25725) and related
Prospectus pertaining to the Shoney's, Inc. 1981 Stock Option Plan, and the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-45076) and related Prospectus
pertaining to the Shoney's, Inc. Directors' Stock Option Plan; of our report
dated December 17, 1999 with respect to the consolidated financial statements
and schedule of Shoney's, Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended October 31, 1999.



Nashville, Tennessee                         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
January 24, 2000