Exhibit 99.1


                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
David Goronkin
CEO
952-294-1300

         FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

         MINNEAPOLIS, MN, NOVEMBER 17, 2003 -- FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA, INC.
(Nasdaq: DAVE) CEO David Goronkin announced today that Diana Garvis Purcel will
join the Company as Chief Financial Officer effective November 19, 2003.

         Diana Garvis Purcel, CPA most recently held the positions of Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer at Paper
Warehouse, Inc., a publicly held retail company. Purcel was with Paper Warehouse
from 1999 to September 2003. Over her 15-year career, Diana has also held
financial and accounting positions with Provell, Inc. (formerly Damark
International, Inc.) and Target Corporation (formerly Dayton Hudson
Corporation). Diana is a certified public accountant who spent five years with
the firm of Arthur Andersen in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

         "Diana has exhibited extraordinary leadership in her career and will
bring focused financing and accounting discipline to our organization, as well
as partnering with me as we set our course for responsible organizational
stewardship and growth" said David Goronkin, CEO of Famous Dave's. "Diana's past
experience as a chief financial officer overseeing a mix of corporate and
franchise operations will bring immediate, relevant value to our franchisees and
company operators. We feel very fortunate to add Diana to our management team."

         "This is the latest plank in my plan to build an organization that will
take our company forward. I am very pleased that we have been able to strengthen
our board, strengthen our management team, and develop a prototype building that
will take our company to the next level. I am also confident that we now have
the leadership and focus to support the growth of this great concept," said
David Anderson, Founder and Chairman of the Board.

         Goronkin also announced today that Ken Stanecki has left Famous Dave's
from his role as Chief Financial Officer to pursue other opportunities. "I want
to thank Ken Stanecki for his excellent contributions to Famous Dave's in the
last three-plus years," said Goronkin.










ABOUT FAMOUS DAVE'S


CONTACT FOR INFORMATION:   DAVID GORONKIN  TEL: 952-294-1300

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (Nasdaq: DAVE -- News) owns, operates and
franchises barbeque restaurants. The Company currently owns 43 locations and
franchises an additional 46 units in 24 states. The Company also has signed Area
Development Agreements for an additional 144 franchise restaurants. Its menu
features award-winning barbecued and grilled meats, an ample selection of
salads, side items, sandwiches and unique desserts.

Certain matters discussed within this press release may be forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Although Famous Dave's of America, Inc. believes the expectation reflected
in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can
give no assurance that its expectation will be attained. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from Famous Dave's expectation include
financial performance, restaurant industry conditions, execution of restaurant
development and construction programs, changes in local or national economic
conditions, availability of financing, governmental approvals, and other risks
detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.

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