EXHIBIT 99.1
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                                  NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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                    SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. ANNOUNCES
               HIRING OF JOHN W. SMOLAK AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

WHIPPANY,  NEW  JERSEY,  OCTOBER  4, 2000 --  Suburban  Propane  Partners,  L.P.
(NYSE:SPH),  a leading marketer of propane gas and related products and services
nationwide,  announced today that John W. Smolak has joined the company as Chief
Financial Officer.

Prior to  joining  Suburban,  Mr.  Smolak  was Senior  Vice  President,  Finance
&  Administration  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  at  1-800-Flowers.com,  Inc.,
Westbury,  New  York.  His  career  includes  senior  financial  positions  with
Lechters,  Inc.,  U.S. Shoe Corporation and Marriott Corporation as well as that
of management consultant with Booz,  Allen & Hamilton,  Inc. He graduated with a
B.A. from the University of Connecticut, and holds an M.S. in Systems Management
from  the  University of  Southern California  and an  M.B.A. from  the  Wharton
School.

In making this announcement,  Suburban  Propane's  President and Chief Executive
Officer,  Mark A. Alexander  said,  "John Smolak is a very  qualified  financial
executive who will make an immediate impact upon our organization. His extensive
experience  in   multi-channel,   customer   service   oriented   businesses  is
complementary  to our corporate  mission and growth  strategy.  We are extremely
pleased and excited that he will be joining our executive team."

Suburban Propane Partners,  L.P. is a publicly traded Master Limited Partnership
listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  Headquartered  in Whippany,  New Jersey,
Suburban  has  been in the  customer  service  business  since  1928  and is the
nation's third largest propane gas marketer. The Partnership serves over 750,000
residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through more than
350 customer service centers in more than 40 states. Corporate news, unit prices
and additional information about Suburban are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week  on the  company's  web  site:  WWW.SUBURBANPROPANE.COM.  To  receive  news
releases via fax: Dial 800-758-5804 and input extension 112074.

Company contact:  Michael M. Keating
                  Vice President Human Resources & Administration
                  (973) 503-9252