Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. Announces First Quarter Earnings and News Release


WICHITA, Kan., March 31, 1999 (PRIMEZONE) -- Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. (NASDAQ: STAR) announced first quarter earnings and revenues for the twelve week quarter ended March 23, 1999. Net income declined 15.6% for the first quarter to $7,781,000 or $ .21 per share ($.21 diluted) compared with $9,223,000 or $ .22 ($.22 diluted) per share for the same period last year. First quarter 1998 results were reduced by $5,488,000 ($.13 per share), from previously reported results for the effects of the change in accounting for preopening costs. First quarter revenues decreased 8.8% to $139,938,000 compared with $153,514,000 for the same period last year. Comparable store sales growth (decline) was (12.7%), 1.4%, 10.0% and 5.2% for domestic Lone Star's, Australian Lone Star's, Sullivan's and Del Frisco's, respectively.

The Company opened two domestic Sullivan's Steakhouse restaurants in the first quarter. Development plans for 1999 call for three more domestic Sullivan's Steakhouse restaurants, and two domestic Del Frisco's Steak House restaurants. This will bring to twenty the total number of upscale steakhouses operated by the Company.

Lone Star owns and operates 266 domestic and 40 international Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon restaurants; twelve Sullivan's Steakhouse restaurants; and three Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House restaurants.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although the Company believes the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein, including the development plans of the Company, are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in the press release will prove to be accurate.


                  Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc.
       Unaudited Summary Proforma Data for the First Quarter 1999
             ( $ in thousands except for per share amounts )

                                             March 23,     Dec. 29,
                                               1999           1998
                                             ________       ________
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                $    64,933   $     89,847
  Other current assets                          19,985         22,459
                                              ________       ________
                                                84,918        112,306
Property and equipment, net                    472,959        461,065
Intangibles and other assets                    34,171         35,212
                                              ________       ________
                                           $   592,048   $    608,583
                                              ________       ________
                                              ________       ________

Total current liabilities                  $    44,562   $     44,713
Noncurrent liabilities                          12,182         10,429
Stockholders' equity                           535,304        553,441
                                              ________       ________
                                           $   592,048   $    608,583
                                              ________       ________
                                              ________       ________

                                         For the twelve weeks ended
                                       Mar. 23, 1999      Mar. 24, 1998
                                         12 Weeks           12 Weeks
                                     $            %     $            %
                                      ________  _____    ________  _____
Net Sales                            $ 139,938          $ 153,514 
Costs and expenses: 
  Costs of sales                        50,386   36.0      57,215   37.3
  Restaurant operating expenses         61,630   44.0      61,234   39.9
  Depreciation and amortization          7,232    5.2       5,712    3.7

                                      ________  _____    ________  _____
   Restaurant costs and expenses       119,248   85.2     124,161   80.9
                                      ________  _____    ________  _____
Restaurant operating income             20,690   14.8      29,353   19.1
General and administrative expenses      8,289    5.9       5,442    3.5
                                      ________  _____    ________  _____
Income from operations                  12,401    8.9      23,911   15.6
Other                                      247    0.2       1,455    0.9
                                      ________  _____    ________  _____
Income before taxes and 
 change in acctg.                       12,648    9.1      25,366   16.5
Provision for income taxes               4,867    3.5       9,239    6.0
Minority interest
Cum. Effect of change in acctg.                             6,904    4.5
                                      ________  _____    ________  _____
Net income                           $   7,781    5.6   $   9,223    6.0
                                      ________  _____    ________  _____
                                      ________  _____    ________  _____

Basic earnings per share             $    0.21          $    0.22 
                                      ________           ________
                                      ________           ________
Diluted earnings per share           $    0.21          $    0.22
                                      ________           ________
                                      ________           ________
Average shares outstanding - Basic      37,514             41,165
Average shares outstanding - Diluted    37,681             42,235

Restaurants included at end of period      324                312
Comparable sales growth                  (10.3)%             (4.0)%

CONTACT:  John D. White
          Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc.
          (316) 264-8899