UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 Current Report

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) : Sept. 17, 2003

                             National Beverage Corp.
           ---------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

        DELAWARE               1-14170                      59-2605822
- -----------------------     -----------------         --------------------
(State of incorporation)    (Commission File Number)  (IRS Employer
                                                       Identification No.)

                           One North University Drive
                         Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (954) 581-0922
                                 ---------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1               Press release dated September 17, 2003

Item 9.  Information Furnished Pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K - Results of
Operations and Financial Condition

The following information is being furnished under Item 12 of Form 8-K, "Results
of Operations and Financial Condition," and is included under this Item 9 in
accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8216; 34-47583.

On September 17, 2003, National Beverage Corp. issued a press release announcing
its earnings for the quarter ended August 2, 2003. This press release is
attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

This information is not deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is not incorporated by reference into
any Securities Act registration statements.

SIGNATURE - --------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. National Beverage Corp. ---------------------- (Registrant) Date: September 17, 2003 By: /s/ Dean A. McCoy ------------------- Senior Vice President - Controller and Principal Accounting Officer EXHIBIT INDEX - ------------- 99.1 Press release issued September 17, 2003

                                                                Exhibit 99.1

National Beverage Corp. Reports First Quarter Profits

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2003--National
Beverage Corp. (AMEX:FIZ) today announced results for its first
quarter ended August 2, 2003. For the quarter, sales were $145.7
million with earnings of $8.5 million, or $.46 per share. This
compares to sales of $142.9 million with earnings of $8.1 million, or
$.44 per share, for the prior year.
    Additional revenue growth for the quarter was curtailed by cooler
temperatures and inclement conditions, along with delayed new product
introductions.
    "BRAND DICHOTOMIZATION/DEMOGRAPHICS will be a new revolutionary
description for National Beverage's future," stated Nick A. Caporella,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Witness what is occurring
relative to Shasta's new...'Shasta Shortz', a kids' beverage in a
kid can(TM) created by kids. We are very fortunate that our brands,
with their flavor -- quality heritage as family hallmarks, can stretch
across the age spectrum," he continued.
    "Bad Shasta Rita, our new lime soda for the Hispanic mom to
entertain the family at dinner...is another example of our brand
dichotomization opportunity," concluded Caporella.
    National Beverage produces soft drinks, bottled waters, juices and
juice products and is highly recognized for a line of refreshing
flavors through its popular brands: Shasta(R), Faygo(R), Ritz(R),
Everfresh(R), Mr. Pure(R) and LaCroix(R).

               Fun & Flavor...the National Beverage Way



                       National Beverage Corp.
           Consolidated Results for the Three Months Ended
                   August 2, 2003 and July 27, 2002
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                  -------------------
                                                   August 2, July 27,
                                                     2003      2002
                                                  --------- ---------


Net Sales                                         $145,665  $142,877
                                                  ========= =========

Net Income                                          $8,450    $8,051
                                                  ========= =========

Net Income Per Share:
    Basic                                             $.46      $.44
                                                  ========= =========
    Diluted                                           $.44      $.42
                                                  ========= =========

Average Common Shares Outstanding:
    Basic                                           18,417    18,395
                                                  ========= =========
    Diluted                                         19,069    19,059
                                                  ========= =========



    This press release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include
fluctuations in costs, changes in consumer preferences and other items
described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings
and the Company undertakes no obligations to update the
forward-looking statements.


    CONTACT: National Beverage Corp., Fort Lauderdale
             Grace A. Keene, 954/581-0922