EXHIBIT 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                Contact: Donald J. Radkoski (614) 492-4901
Dec. 7, 2004                                      or Mary Cusick (614) 492-4920


               BOB EVANS FARMS ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER SAME-STORE SALES

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (Nasdaq: BOBE) today announced that
same-store sales in "core" Bob Evans Restaurants (476 stores which were open for
the full 12 months in both fiscal years 2003 and 2004) for the fiscal 2005 month
of November (the four weeks ended Nov. 26) decreased 1.3 percent from the same
period a year ago. Average menu prices for the fiscal month were up
approximately 1.9 percent.

         The same-store sales comparison at Bob Evans Restaurants benefited by
approximately 1.5 percent due to the inclusion of Thanksgiving travel in the
fiscal month this year; a year ago, the holiday travel fell in the December
period. However, this calendar shift and the timing of the Christmas holiday are
expected to reduce Bob Evans' reported same-store sales for the December fiscal
month.

         Mimi's Cafe same-store sales in "core" restaurants (60 stores which
opened prior to July 1, 2002) for the equivalent fiscal 2005 month of November
increased 4.7 percent from the same period a year ago. Average menu prices for
the period were up approximately 2.8 percent.

         Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates 580 full-service, family
restaurants in 21 states. Bob Evans Restaurants are primarily located in the
Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States, while Owens
Restaurants operate in Texas. In addition, the company operates 86 Mimi's Cafe
casual restaurants located in 12 states, primarily in California and other
western states. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is also a leading producer and distributor
of pork sausage and a variety of complementary homestyle convenience food items
under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names. For more information about Bob Evans
Farms, Inc., visit the company's Web site at www.bobevans.com.

          SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
                               REFORM ACT OF 1995

         The statements contained in this report which are not statements of
historical fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). In addition,
certain statements in future filings by the company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, in press releases and in oral and written statements made
by or with the approval of the company which are not statements of historical
fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.
Examples of forward-looking statements include statements of plans and
objectives of the company or its management or board of directors; statements
regarding future economic performance; and statements of assumptions underlying
such statements. Words such as "plan," "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and
"intends" and similar expressions are intended to, but are not the exclusive
means of, identifying those statements.

         Forward-looking statements involve various important assumptions, risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted by
the forward-looking statements because of various factors and possible events,
including, without limitation:





         o Changes in hog costs

         o The possibility of severe weather conditions where the company
operates its restaurants

         o The availability and cost of acceptable new restaurant sites

         o Shortages of restaurant labor

         o Acceptance of the company's restaurant concepts into new geographic
areas

         o Accurately assessing the value, future growth potential, strengths,
weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of
Mimi's Cafe

         o Unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting
Mimi's Cafe

         o Other risks disclosed from time to time in the company's securities
filings and press releases

         There is also the risk that the company may incorrectly analyze these
risks or that the strategies developed by the company to address them will be
unsuccessful.

         Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are
made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date on which the
statement is made to reflect unanticipated events. All subsequent written and
oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or any person acting
on behalf of the company are qualified by the cautionary statements in this
section.