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) : March 12, 2004

                             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)

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    Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

         (c)      Exhibit 99.1   Press release dated March 12, 2004

 Item 12.         Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     On  March  12,  2004,  National  Beverage  Corp.  issued  a  press  release
     announcing  its financial  results for the quarter  ended January  31,2004.
     This release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

SIGNATURES
- -----------

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:  March 12, 2004

By:  /s/ Dean A. McCoy
     -----------------
        Senior Vice President -
        Chief Accounting Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX
- -------------

         99.1     Press release dated March 12, 2004

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

National Beverage Corp. Increased Third Quarter Results

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2004--National
Beverage Corp. (AMEX:FIZ) today announced results for its third
quarter and nine-month period ended January 31, 2004. For the quarter,
the Company reported earnings of $1.4 million on revenues of $107.0
million as compared to earnings of $1.1 million on revenues of $100.5
million for the previous year. Earnings per share were $.04 on average
common shares outstanding of 36.9 million (as adjusted for the 100%
stock dividend announced February 27, 2004) versus earnings of $.03
per share for the prior year.
    For the nine-month period, earnings were $13.8 million, or $.38
per share (on adjusted shares), as compared to $.35 per share for the
previous year with revenues for the nine-month period ending January
31, 2004 of $382.1 million, up from $370.7 million for the prior
year's same period.
    "I am pleased that our 'numbers' are the best that have ever been
reported for the third quarter," stated Nick A. Caporella, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, "but I am more pleased that the
double-digit growth of our flagship flavor brands continued during
these difficult winter months. Our core brands, Shasta and Faygo,
continue to outpace carbonated-soft-drink industry norms due to our
Brand Dichotomization strategy in place over this past year."
    "We have emerged from the winter quarter with the strongest
balance sheet/cash position in the Company's history, as evidenced by
our recently announced 100% stock dividend and $1.00 per share cash
dividend. Our consistent performance magnifies our resolve...to create
and further enhance shareholder value," 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 Nine Months Ended
                January 31, 2004 and January 25, 2003
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                         Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                       ----------------------- -----------------------
                       January 31, January 25, January 31, January 25,
                          2004        2003        2004        2003
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------


Net Sales                $107,026    $100,500    $382,064    $370,725
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========

Net Income                 $1,356      $1,089     $13,827     $12,983
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========

Net Income Per
 Share:(a)
    Basic                    $.04        $.03        $.38        $.35
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========
    Diluted                  $.04        $.03        $.36        $.34
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========

Average Common Shares
 Outstanding:(a)
    Basic                  36,876      36,794      36,855      36,792
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========
    Diluted                38,163      38,148      38,146      38,110
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========

(a) Per share amounts and average common shares outstanding have been
    adjusted for the 100% stock dividend announced February 27, 2004.


    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