<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated statement and financial position as of September 30, 1998 and the
consolidated statement of earnings for the fifty-three weeks ended September 30,
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-25-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                      13,655,043<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                 4,971,169
<RECEIVABLES>                               10,766,170
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  4,438,425
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            40,372,489
<PP&E>                                     210,926,581
<DEPRECIATION>                              64,588,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             190,180,880
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       39,763,661
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    13,245,749
<OTHER-SE>                                 102,104,002
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               190,180,880
<SALES>                                    306,942,834
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           312,552,392
<CGS>                                       78,194,622
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              220,191,807<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            25,760,031<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,445,221
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             30,927,699
<INCOME-TAX>                                11,225,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         19,702,699
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                19,702,699
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .74
<FN>
<F1>Cash includes cash equivalents of $12,235,000.
<F2>Includes restaurant operating costs of $141,997,185.
<F3>Includes depreciation and amortization and rent of $15,777,885 and $9,982,146
respectively.
</FN>