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                                                                      Exhibit 23




               Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in 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 18, 1997, 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 26, 1997.




Nashville, Tennessee
January 20, 1998                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP