EXHIBIT 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                Contact: Donald J. Radkoski (614) 492-4901
Mar. 8, 2005                                      or Mary Cusick (614) 492-4920

   BOB EVANS FARMS ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY SAME-STORE SALES AND REITERATES GUIDANCE

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (Nasdaq: BOBE) today announced that
same-store sales in "core" Bob Evans Restaurants (473 stores which were open for
the full 12 months in both fiscal years 2003 and 2004) for the fiscal 2005 month
of February (the four weeks ended Feb. 25) increased 0.8 percent from the same
period a year ago. Average menu prices for the fiscal month were down
approximately 0.1 percent.

         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 February
increased 4.9 percent from the same period a year ago. Average menu prices for
the month were up approximately 2.7 percent.

         Stewart K. Owens, chairman of the board and chief executive officer,
said, "We are somewhat encouraged by Bob Evans Restaurants' improved customer
counts for February. Our value initiatives, including reduced prices on a number
of Bob Evans' most popular breakfast and dinner items, appear to have been
well-received by consumers. As expected, however, operating margins remain below
year-ago levels, and we are still comfortable with our previously issued
guidance for fiscal 2005 earnings per share."

         Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates 588 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 90 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.