Exhibit (a)(16)



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

          SHONEY'S, INC. ANNOUNCES EXPIRATION OF TENDER OFFERS

     NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 25, 2000 / PRNewswire/ -- Shoney's, Inc. (NYSE:
SHN) (Shoney's") today announced that the tender offers for its Liquid Yield
Option Notes due 2004 ("LYONS") and 8-1/4% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2002 ("TPI Debentures") expired as scheduled at 11:59 p.m.,
New York City time, on April 24, 2000. Based on information provided by The
Bank of New York, the depositary for the offers, approximately 4.9% of the
combined aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities were
validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the offers, which was
insufficient to meet the minimum conditions of the offers.  Accordingly, no
securities will be accepted for payment and all tendered securities will be
returned to the holders in accordance with the terms of the offers.

     Contact: /CONTACT: Andrew Karp, Managing Director, Banc of America
Securities LLC (704) 388-4813 or (888) 292-0070.