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) : Dec. 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 December 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 December 17, 2003, National Beverage Corp. issued a press release announcing
its earnings for the quarter ended November 1, 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: December 17, 2003 By: /s/ Dean A. McCoy ---------------------------------- Senior Vice President - Chief Accounting Officer EXHIBIT INDEX - ------------- 99.1 Press release issued December 17, 2003

                                                                Exhibit 99.1

National Beverage Corp. Reports Positive Results

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2003--National
Beverage Corp. (AMEX:FIZ) today announced results for its second
quarter ended November 1, 2003. For the quarter, the Company reported
earnings of $4.0 million, or $.22 per share, as compared to earnings
of $3.8 million, or $.21 per share, for the prior year. Revenues for
the second quarter ended November 1, 2003 were $129.4 million.
    Earnings for the six-month period ended November 1, 2003 were
$12.5 million on revenues of $275.0 million, with earnings of $.68 per
share as compared to earnings of $.65 per share for the prior year.
    "Often in public company disclosures, the revenues and profits do
not reveal the corporation's actual performance and real growth,"
stated Nick A. Caporella, chairman and chief executive officer. "This
is the case for us as our brands have actually grown considerably this
year...enough to 'make-up' all the discarded revenues of
non-branded sales in past comparative periods," continued Mr.
Caporella.
    "BRAND DICHOTIMIZATION relative to flagship Shasta brand has
positively impacted this period with new distribution of 'Shasta
Shortz' and the forthcoming alternative no-calorie Shasta product line
will 'marquee' the term...DICHOTIMIZATION," continued Caporella.
    "I am pleased to disclose that the steadfast strength of our
flavored soft-drink brands grant us advantage and opportunity to
'overcome' the challenges of the past several reporting periods,"
concluded Mr. 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 and Six Months Ended
                 November 1, 2003 and October 26, 2002
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                               Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                Nov. 1,  Oct. 26,   Nov. 1,  Oct. 26,
                                 2003      2002      2003      2002
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

Net Sales                      $129,373  $127,348  $275,038  $270,225
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Net Income                       $4,021    $3,843   $12,471   $11,894
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Net Income Per Share:
    Basic                          $.22      $.21      $.68      $.65
                               ========= ========= ========= =========
    Diluted                        $.21      $.20      $.65      $.62
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

Average Common Shares
  Outstanding:
    Basic                        18,427    18,396    18,422    18,396
                               ========= ========= ========= =========
    Diluted                      19,069    19,033    19,069    19,046
                               ========= ========= ========= =========



    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