Exhibit 99.1

   WILD OATS MARKETS, INC. NAMES GREGORY MAYS INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

     CHAIRMAN OF THE WILD OATS BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSUMES INTERIM CEO ROLE,
             REPLACING PERRY ODAK WHO HAS RESIGNED FROM THE COMPANY

         BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 25, 2006 /PRNewswire/ Wild Oats Markets, Inc.
(NASDAQ: OATS), a leading national natural and organic foods retailer, today
announced that its Board of Directors has named Chairman Gregory Mays as the
Company's interim chief executive officer following the resignation of Perry
Odak. Mays, who will remain Chairman of the Board, will assume the duties of CEO
on an interim basis while the Company searches for a permanent replacement.

         Mr. Odak, who became CEO in 2001, resigned on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006.
Mr. Odak resigned in light of the fact that the Company and he were unable to
reach agreement on the terms of a new or modified employment agreement. Mr. Mays
will take over as CEO effective immediately.

         Mr. Mays, a veteran retail executive, was named Chairman shortly after
joining the Wild Oats Board in July 2006. He brings 33 years of retail grocery
experience to Wild Oats and will continue in his role as Chairman. He has held
numerous senior executive positions in the food retail industry. Mr. Mays
previously served in senior executive positions at leading food retail
companies, including: Ralphs Grocery Company, Food 4 Less Supermarkets,
Alpha-Beta Stores, Alamacs' Supermarkets and Cala Foods. Mr. Mays currently
serves on the boards of Pathmark Supermarkets, Inc., Source Interlink Companies
and Simon Worldwide, Inc.

         The Company also announced the formation of an Executive Committee of
the Board of Directors consisting of Brian Devine and John Shields who will
consult with, assist and support Mr. Mays in his interim role.

         Mr. Devine, a well-known and established executive in the retail
industry, has been a director of the Company since 1997 and is chairman of Petco
Animal Supplies, Inc. He serves on the Boards of the Retail Industry Leaders
Association, the National Retail Federation, Students in Free Enterprise,
Georgetown University, the San Diego Padres and the San Diego International
Sports Council.

         Mr. Shields, an accomplished retail food executive, has been a member
of the Board of Wild Oats Markets since 1996 and served eight years as
non-executive Chairman. He had been president and chief executive officer of
First National Supermarkets, where he served for 10 years. He was also
non-executive chairman of Homeland Stores and Delray Farms.

         "We are grateful for the leadership and direction provided by Mr. Odak
during his time here. He stepped in during a difficult period, executed a
successful turnaround and helped establish the Company as a true lifestyle
brand," said Mr. Mays. "My colleagues Brian Devine, John Shields and I are
united in our goal to ensure that Wild Oats will have the tools needed to
continue to grow the business. As a major natural and organic food retailer in
the industry, we will continue to focus on building meaningful connections with
our customers."

         "We are in the process of establishing a timetable to name a new CEO,"
said Mays. "We plan to commence a diligent search that will identify a candidate
who understands our customer base and will lead this Company and brand into its
next phase of growth."

         Wild Oats Markets, Inc. is a nationwide chain of natural and organic
food markets in the U.S. and Canada. With annual sales of more than $1.1
billion, the Company currently operates 114 stores in 24 states and British
Columbia. The Company's natural food stores include Wild Oats Natural
Marketplace, Henry's Farmers Market, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets.
For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.wildoats.com.