Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 29, 2017	Jul. 10, 2017	Oct. 28, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	National Beverage Corp.
Entity Central Index Key	0000069891
Trading Symbol	fizz
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-29
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		46,585,150
Entity Public Float			$ 552.9
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Apr. 29, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 136,372,000	$ 105,577,000
Trade receivables - net	71,319,000	61,046,000
Inventories	53,355,000	47,922,000
Deferred income taxes net	3,906,000	4,454,000
Prepaid and other assets	7,275,000	4,672,000
Total current assets	272,227,000	223,671,000
Property, plant and equipment - net	65,150,000	61,932,000
Goodwill	13,145,000	13,145,000
Intangible assets	1,615,000	1,615,000
Other assets	5,752,000	5,135,000
Total assets	357,889,000	305,498,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	58,100,000	49,391,000
Accrued liabilities	29,017,000	26,195,000
Income taxes payable	89,000	28,000
Total current liabilities	87,206,000	75,614,000
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities – net	15,993,000	14,474,000
Other liabilities	9,072,000	9,258,000
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value - 75,000,000 shares authorized; 50,616,134 shares (2017) and 50,588,734 shares (2016) issued	506,000	506,000
Additional paid-in capital	35,638,000	34,570,000
Retained earnings	227,928,000	190,733,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(604,000)	(1,807,000)
Total shareholders' equity	245,618,000	206,152,000
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	357,889,000	305,498,000
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value - 1,000,000 shares authorized Series C - 150,000 shares issued	150,000	150,000
Treasury stock, value	(5,100,000)	(5,100,000)
Treasury Stock, Common [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Treasury stock, value	$ (12,900,000)	$ (12,900,000)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares shares authorized (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	50,616,134	50,588,734
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	150,000	150,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	150,000	150,000
Treasury Stock, Common [Member]
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	4,032,784	4,032,784

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Net sales	$ 826,918	$ 704,785	$ 645,825
Cost of sales	500,841	463,348	426,685
Gross profit	326,077	241,437	219,140
Selling, general and administrative expenses	163,600	148,384	145,157
Interest expense	189	203	371
Other (income) expense - net	(537)	145	(1,101)
Income before income taxes	162,825	92,705	74,713
Provision for income taxes	55,780	31,507	25,402
Net income	107,045	61,198	49,311
Less preferred dividends and accretion		(238)	(275)
Earnings available to common shareholders	$ 107,045	$ 60,960	$ 49,036
Earnings per common share:
Earnings per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.30	$ 1.31	$ 1.06
Earnings per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.29	$ 1.31	$ 1.05
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	46,564	46,452	46,353
Diluted (in shares)	46,770	46,671	46,559

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Net income	$ 107,045	$ 61,198	$ 49,311
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cash flow hedges	1,110	783	(2,350)
Other	93	(66)	31
Total	1,203	717	(2,319)
Comprehensive income	$ 108,248	$ 61,915	$ 46,992

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($)	Preferred Stock [Member] Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Series D Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Common Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Other						$ 31			$ 31,000
Net income					$ 49,311,000				49,311,000
Common stock cash dividend
Preferred stock dividends & accretion					(275,000)
Series D preferred redeemed (in shares)		(120,000)
Series D preferred redeemed		$ (120,000)		$ (5,791,000)
Stock options exercised (in shares)			50,000
Stock options exercised				228,000
Stock-based compensation				307,000
Stock-based tax benefits				240,000
Beginning and end of year at May. 02, 2015	$ 150,000	$ 120,000	$ 504,000	37,759,000	129,773,000	(2,524,000)	$ (5,100,000)	$ (12,900,000)	147,782,000
Beginning of year (in shares) at May. 03, 2014		240,000	50,368,000
Beginning of year at May. 03, 2014		$ 240,000	$ 504,000	42,775,000	80,737,000	(205,000)
Cash flow hedges						(2,350,000)			(2,350,000)
Beginning and end of year (in shares) at May. 02, 2015	150,000	120,000	50,418,000				150,000	4,033,000
Other						(66)			(66,000)
Net income					61,198,000				61,198,000
Common stock cash dividend
Preferred stock dividends & accretion					(238,000)
Series D preferred redeemed (in shares)		(120,000)
Series D preferred redeemed		$ (120,000)		(5,791,000)
Stock options exercised (in shares)			171,000
Stock options exercised			$ 2,000	846,000
Stock-based compensation				228,000
Stock-based tax benefits				1,528,000
Beginning and end of year at Apr. 30, 2016	$ 150,000		506,000	34,570,000	190,733,000	(1,807,000)	$ (5,100,000)	$ (12,900,000)	206,152,000
Beginning of year at May. 02, 2015	$ 150,000	$ 120,000	$ 504,000	37,759,000	129,773,000	(2,524,000)	$ (5,100,000)	$ (12,900,000)	147,782,000
Cash flow hedges						783,000			783,000
Beginning and end of year (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2016	150,000		50,589,000				150,000	4,033,000
Other						93,000			93,000
Net income					107,045,000				$ 107,045,000
Common stock cash dividend					(69,850,000)
Preferred stock dividends & accretion
Series D preferred redeemed (in shares)
Series D preferred redeemed
Stock options exercised (in shares)			27,000						27,400
Stock options exercised				365,000
Stock-based compensation				208,000
Stock-based tax benefits				495,000
Beginning and end of year at Apr. 29, 2017	$ 150,000		506,000	35,638,000	227,928,000	(604,000)	$ (5,100,000)	$ (12,900,000)	$ 245,618,000
Beginning of year at Apr. 30, 2016	$ 150,000		$ 506,000	$ 34,570,000	$ 190,733,000	(1,807,000)	$ (5,100,000)	$ (12,900,000)	206,152,000
Cash flow hedges						$ 1,110,000			$ 1,110,000
Beginning and end of year (in shares) at Apr. 29, 2017	150,000		50,616,000				150,000	4,033,000

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 107,045,000	$ 61,198,000	$ 49,311,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,834,000	12,056,000	11,580,000
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	1,358,000	(1,299,000)	1,076,000
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, net	72,000	129,000	(1,188,000)
Stock-based compensation	208,000	228,000	307,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(10,273,000)	(1,095,000)	(1,746,000)
Inventories	(5,433,000)	(4,998,000)	990,000
Prepaid and other assets	(2,205,000)	(485,000)	(605,000)
Accounts payable	8,709,000	4,495,000	(710,000)
Accrued and other liabilities	1,457,000	8,726,000	(995,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	113,772,000	78,955,000	58,020,000
Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(14,015,000)	(12,140,000)	(11,630,000)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	28,000	116,000	1,905,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(13,987,000)	(12,024,000)	(9,725,000)
Financing Activities:
Dividends paid on common stock	(69,850,000)
Dividends paid on preferred stock		(186,000)	(239,000)
Repayments under credit facilities, net		(10,000,000)	(20,000,000)
Redemption of preferred stock		(6,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	365,000	848,000	228,000
Stock-based tax benefits	495,000	1,528,000	240,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(68,990,000)	(13,810,000)	(25,771,000)
Net Increase in Cash and Equivalents	30,795,000	53,121,000	22,524,000
Cash and Equivalents - Beginning of Year	105,577,000	52,456,000	29,932,000
Cash and Equivalents - End of Year	136,372,000	105,577,000	52,456,000
Other Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	202,000	116,000	380,000
Income taxes paid	$ 55,901,000	$ 29,473,000	$ 24,745,000

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

significant accounting policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Beverage Corp. and all subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Our fiscal year ends the Saturday closest to

April 30

and, as a result, an additional week is added every

five

six

years. Fiscal

2017,

Fiscal

2016

and Fiscal

2015

consisted of

weeks.

Cash and Equivalents

Cash and equivalents are comprised of cash and highly liquid securities (consisting primarily of short-term money-market investments) with an original maturity of

three

months or less.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments to partially mitigate our exposure to changes in raw material costs. All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We do

not

use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments is managed by requiring high credit standards for counterparties and frequent cash settlements. See Note

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated in a similar manner, but includes the dilutive effect of stock options amounting to

206,000

shares in Fiscal

2017,

219,000

shares in Fiscal

2016

and

206,000

shares in Fiscal

2015.

Fair Value

The fair value of long-term debt approximates its carrying value due to its variable interest rate and lack of prepayment penalty. The estimated fair values of derivative financial instruments are calculated based on market rates to settle the instruments. These values represent the estimated amounts we would receive upon sale, taking into consideration current market prices and credit worthiness. See Note

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

All long-lived assets, excluding goodwill and intangible assets

not

subject to amortization, are evaluated for impairment on the basis of undiscounted cash flows whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset

may

not

be recoverable. An impaired asset is written down to its estimated fair market value based on the best information available. Estimated fair value is generally measured by discounting future cash flows. Goodwill and intangible assets

not

subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment annually or sooner if we believe such assets

may

be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount or, for goodwill, the carrying amount of its reporting unit, is greater than its fair value.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate is based on estimates of taxes which will ultimately be payable. Deferred taxes are recorded to give recognition to temporary differences between the tax bases of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Valuation allowances are established to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets when it is deemed, more likely than

not,

that the benefit of deferred tax assets will

not

be realized.

Insurance Programs

We maintain self-insured and deductible programs for certain liability, medical and workers’ compensation exposures. Accordingly, we accrue for known claims and estimated incurred but

not

reported claims

not

otherwise covered by insurance based on actuarial assumptions and historical claims experience. At

April 29, 2017

and

April 30, 2016,

other liabilities included accruals of

$6.9

million and

$5.8

million, respectively, for estimated non-current risk retention exposures, of which

$5.4

million and

$4.8

million were covered by insurance.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets as of

April 29, 2017

and

April 30, 2016

consisted of non-amortizable trademarks

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of

first

-in,

first

-out cost or market. Inventories at

April 29, 2017

were comprised of finished goods of

$35.0

million and raw materials of

$18.4

million. Inventories at

April 30, 2016

were comprised of finished goods of

$29.1

million and raw materials of

$18.8

million.

Marketing Costs

We are involved in a variety of marketing programs, including cooperative advertising programs with customers, to advertise and promote our products to consumers. Marketing costs are expensed when incurred, except for prepaid advertising and production costs which are expensed when the advertising takes place. Marketing costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, totaled

$44.9

million in Fiscal

2017,

$38.8

million in Fiscal

2016

and

$42.4

million in Fiscal

2015.

New Accounting Pronouncements

March

2016,

the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update

2016

09,

“Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU

2016

09”

). This amendment addresses several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU

2016

is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 30, 2017.

Adoption is

not

expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

February 2016,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update

No.

2016

02,

“Leases” (“ASU

2016

02”

). ASU

2016

requires the lease rights and obligations arising from lease contracts, including existing and new arrangements, to be recognized as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. ASU

2016

is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 28, 2019.

We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

November 2015,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update

No.

2015

17,

“Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU

2015

17”

). ASU

2015

requires companies to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent on the balance sheet. ASU

2015

is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 30, 2017.

When implemented, current deferred tax asset will be reclassified to noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheet.

May 2014,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update

No.

2014

09,

“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU

2014

09”

). ASU

2014

requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for goods or services. On

August 12, 2015,

the FASB issued ASU

2015

which deferred the effective date of ASU

2014

one

year and is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 29, 2018.

We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements; however, adoption is

not

expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Additions, replacements and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do

not

extend the useful life of an asset are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of

years for buildings and improvements and

years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any related gain or loss is recognized.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales is recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which generally occurs upon delivery. Our policy is

not

to allow the return of products once they have been accepted by the customer. However, on occasion, we have accepted returns or issued credit to customers, primarily for damaged goods. The amounts have been immaterial and, accordingly, we do

not

provide a specific valuation allowance for sales returns.

Sales Incentives

We offer various sales incentive arrangements to our customers that require customer performance or achievement of certain sales volume targets. When the incentive is paid in advance, we amortize the amount paid over the period of benefit or contractual sales volume; otherwise, we accrue the expected amount to be paid over the period of benefit or expected sales volume. The recognition of these incentives involves the use of judgment related to performance and sales volume estimates that are made based on historical experience and other factors. Sales incentives are accounted for as a reduction of sales and actual amounts ultimately realized

may

vary from accrued amounts.

Segment Reporting

We operate as a

single

operating segment for purposes of presenting financial information and evaluating performance. As such, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present financial information in a format that is consistent with the internal financial information used by management. We do

not

accumulate revenues by product classification and, therefore, it is impractical to present such information.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Such costs aggregated

$50.0

million in Fiscal

2017,

$44.6

million in Fiscal

2016

and

$44.4

million in Fiscal

2015.

Although our classification is consistent with many beverage companies, our gross margin

may

not

be comparable to companies that include shipping and handling costs in cost of sales.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for stock-based compensation awards is recognized over the vesting period based on the grant-date fair value estimated using the Black-Scholes model. See Note

Trade Receivables

We record trade receivables at net realizable value, which includes an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts. We extend credit based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition, generally without requiring collateral. Exposure to credit losses varies by customer principally due to the financial condition of each customer. We monitor our exposure to credit losses and maintain allowances for anticipated losses based on specific customer circumstances, credit conditions and historical write-offs. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016			Fiscal 2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	484		$	330		$	399
Net charge to expense		74			232			117
Net charge-off		(90	)		(78	)		(186	)
Balance at end of year	$	468		$	484		$	330

As of

April 29, 2017

and

April 30, 2016,

we did

not

have any customer that comprised more than

10%

of trade receivables.

one

customer accounted for more than

10%

of net sales during any of the last

three

fiscal years.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and anticipated future actions, actual results

may

vary from reported amounts.

Note 4 - Debt	12 Months Ended
Note 4 - Debt	Apr. 29, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	4. DEBT At April 29, 2017, a subsidiary of the Company maintained unsecured revolving credit facilities with banks aggregating $100 million (the “Credit Facilities”). The Credit Facilities expire from October 10, 2017 to April 30, 2021 and any borrowings would currently bear interest at .9% above one -month LIBOR. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facilities at April 29, 2017 or April 30, 2016. At April 29, 2017, $2.2 million of the Credit Facilities was reserved for standby letters of credit and $97.8 million was available for borrowings. The Credit Facilities require the subsidiary to maintain certain financial ratios, including debt to net worth and debt to EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facilities), and contain other restrictions, none of which are expected to have a material effect on our operations or financial position. At April 29, 2017, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.

Note 5 - Capital Stock and Transactions With Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	5. CAPITAL STOCK AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES The Company paid a special cash dividend on common stock of $69.9 million ( $1.50 per share) on January 27, 2017. On May 5, 2017, the Company declared a special cash dividend of $1.50 per share to shareholders of record on June 5, 2017 . The cash dividend of $69.9 million will be paid on or before August 4, 2017 . On January 25, 2013, the Company sold 400,000 shares of Special Series D Preferred Stock, par value $1 per share (“Series D Preferred”) for an aggregate purchase price of $20 million. Series D Preferred had a liquidation preference of $50 per share and accrued dividends on this amount at an annual rate of 3% through April 30, 2014 and, thereafter, at an annual rate equal to 370 basis points above the 3 - Month LIBOR rate. Dividends were cumulative and payable quarterly. There were no accrued dividends at April 29, 2017 and at April 30, 2016. The Series D Preferred was nonvoting and redeemable at the option of the Company beginning May 1, 2014 at $50 per share. In addition, the Company has 150,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, par value $1 per share, which are held as treasury stock and, therefore, such shares have no liquidation value. On May 2, 2014, the Company redeemed 160,000 shares of Series D Preferred, representing 40% of the amount outstanding, for an aggregate price of $8 million plus accrued dividends. In connection therewith, the Company accreted and charged to retained earnings $118,000 of original issuance costs, which was deducted from income available to common shareholders for earnings per share calculation. In conjunction with the partial redemption, the annual dividend rate on the outstanding Series D Preferred was reduced to 2.5% for the twelve month period beginning May 1, 2014. In evaluating the impact of the rate change, the Company determined that the related fair value change was immaterial and that no adjustment was required. On August 1, 2014, the Company redeemed 120,000 shares of Series D Preferred, representing 50% of the amount outstanding, for an aggregate price of $6 million plus accrued dividends. In connection therewith, the Company accreted and charged to retained earnings $89,000 of original issuance costs, which was deducted from income available to common shareholders for earnings per share calculation. On May 1, 2015, the Company and the holders of the Series D Preferred agreed to extend the 2.5% annual dividend rate on the outstanding Series D Preferred through April 30, 2016. In evaluating the impact of the rate change, the Company determined that the related fair value change was immaterial and that no adjustment was required. On April 29, 2016, the Company redeemed the final remaining 120,000 shares of Series D Preferred for an aggregate price of $6 million plus accrued dividends. In connection therewith, the Company accreted and charged to retained earnings $89,000 of original issuance costs, which was deducted from income available to common shareholders for earnings per share calculation. The Company is authorized under its stock buyback program to repurchase 1.6 million shares of Common Stock. As of April 29, 2017, 502,060 shares were purchased under the program and 1,097,940 shares were available for purchase. No shares of Common Stock have been repurchased during the last three fiscal years. The Company is a party to a management agreement with Corporate Management Advisors, Inc. (“CMA”), a corporation owned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. This agreement was originated in 1991 for the efficient use of management of two public companies at the time. In 1994, one of those public entities, through a merger, no longer was managed in this manner. Under the terms of the agreement, CMA provides, subject to the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company, (i) senior corporate functions (including supervision of the Company’s financial, legal, executive recruitment, internal audit and management information systems departments) as well as the services of a Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and (ii) services in connection with acquisitions, dispositions and financings by the Company, including identifying and profiling acquisition candidates, negotiating and structuring potential transactions and arranging financing for any such transaction. CMA, through its personnel, also provides, to the extent possible, the stimulus and creativity to develop an innovative and dynamic persona for the Company, its products and corporate image. In order to fulfill its obligations under the management agreement, CMA employs numerous individuals, whom, acting as a unit, provide management, administrative and creative functions for the Company. The management agreement provides that the Company will pay CMA an annual base fee equal to one percent of the consolidated net sales of the Company, and further provides that the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and the Board of Directors may from time to time award additional incentive compensation to CMA. The Board of Directors on numerous occasions contemplated incentive compensation and, while shareholder value has increased over $4.5 billion (or 10,000% ) since the inception of this agreement, no incentive compensation has been paid. We incurred management fees to CMA of $8.3 million for Fiscal 2017, $7.0 million for Fiscal 2016 and $6.5 million for Fiscal 2015. Included in accounts payable were amounts due CMA of $2.1 million at April 29, 2017 and $1.8 million at April 30, 2016.

Note 6 - Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

From time to time, we enter into aluminum swap contracts to partially mitigate our exposure to changes in the cost of aluminum cans. Such financial instruments are designated and accounted for as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, gains or losses attributable to the effective portion of the cash flow hedge are reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) and reclassified into cost of sales in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of our cash flow hedge was immaterial. The following summarizes the gains (losses) recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and AOCI relative to the cash flow hedge for Fiscal

2017,

Fiscal

2016

and Fiscal

2015:

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal			Fiscal			Fiscal
	2017			2016			2015
Recognized in AOCI-
Loss before income taxes	$	(984	)	$	(5,743	)	$	(3,488	)
Less income tax benefit		( 365	)		( 2,131	)		( 1,294	)
Net		(619	)		(3,612	)		(2,194	)
Reclassified from AOCI to cost of sales-
(Loss) gain before income taxes		(2,749	)		(6,987	)		248
Less income tax (benefit) provision		(1,020	)		(2,592	)		92
Net		(1,729	)		(4,395	)		156
Net change to AOCI	$	1,110		$	783		$	(2,350	)

As of

April 29, 2017,

the notional amount of our outstanding aluminum swap contracts was

$56.7

million and, assuming

change in the commodity prices,

$246,000

of unrealized loss before tax will be reclassified from AOCI and recognized in earnings over the next

months. See Note

As of

April 29, 2017,

the fair value of the derivative asset, derivative liability and derivative long-term liability was

$602,000,

$848,000

and

$476,000,

which was included in prepaid and other assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities, respectively. As of

April 30, 2016,

the fair value of the derivative liability was

$2.5

million, which was included in accrued liabilities. Such valuation does

not

entail a significant amount of judgment and the inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement are Level

as defined by the fair value hierarchy as they are observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Note 7 - Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

7.	INCOME TAXES

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following:

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal		Fiscal			Fiscal
	2017		2016			2015
Current	$	54,422	$	32,806		$	24,326
Deferred		1,358		(1,299	)		1,076
Total	$	55,780	$	31,507		$	25,402

Deferred taxes are recorded to give recognition to temporary differences between the tax bases of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Valuation allowances are established to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets when it is deemed more likely than

not

that the benefit of deferred tax assets will

not

be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of

April 29, 2017

and

April 30, 2016

consisted of the following:

	(In thousands)
	2017		2016
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses and other	$	4,740	$	5,655
Inventory and amortizable assets		538		538
Total deferred tax assets		5,278		6,193
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property		15,157		14,049
Intangibles and other		2,208		2,164
Total deferred tax liabilities		17,365		16,213
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	12,087	$	10,020
Current deferred tax assets – net	$	3,906	$	4,454
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities – net	$	15,993	$	14,474

The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective tax rate is as follows:

	Fiscal			Fiscal			Fiscal
	2017			2016			2015
Statutory federal income tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		2.2			2.2			2.3
Domestic manufacturing deduction benefit		(3.0	)		(3.0	)		(3.0	)
Other differences		.1			(.2	)		(.3	)
Effective income tax rate		34.3	%		34.0	%		34.0	%

As of

April 29, 2017,

the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was

$1.7

million and

$66,000

was recognized as a tax benefit in Fiscal

2017.

If we were to prevail on all uncertain tax positions, the net effect would be to reduce our tax expense by approximately

$1.2

million. A reconciliation of the changes in the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits, which amounts are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, is as follows:

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal			Fiscal			Fiscal
	2017			2016			2015
Beginning balance	$	1,678		$	1,801		$	2,123
Increases due to current period tax positions		150			145			122
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations and audit resolutions		(85	)		(268	)		(444	)
Ending balance	$	1,743		$	1,678		$	1,801

We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of

April 29, 2017,

unrecognized tax benefits included accrued interest of

$239,000,

of which approximately

$12,000

was recognized as a tax benefit in Fiscal

2017.

We file annual income tax returns in the United States and in various state and local jurisdictions. A number of years

may

elapse before an uncertain tax position, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, is resolved. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, we believe that our unrecognized tax benefits reflect the most probable outcome. We adjust these unrecognized tax benefits, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. The resolution of any particular uncertain tax position could require the use of cash and an adjustment to our provision for income taxes in the period of resolution. Federal income tax returns for fiscal years subsequent to

2013

are subject to examination. Generally, the income tax returns for the various state jurisdictions are subject to examination for fiscal years ending after fiscal

2010.

Note 8 - Stock-based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Our stock-based compensation program is a broad-based program designed to attract and retain employees while also aligning employees’ interests with the interests of the shareholders.

The

1991

Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) provides for compensatory awards consisting of (i) stock options or stock awards for up to

4,800,000

shares of common stock, (ii) stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents, other stock-based awards in amounts up to

4,800,000

shares of common stock and (iii) performance awards consisting of any combination of the above. The Omnibus Plan is designed to provide an incentive to officers and certain other key employees and consultants by making available to them an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest or to increase such interest in National Beverage. The number of shares or options which

may

be issued under stock-based awards to an individual is limited to

1,680,000

during any year. Awards

may

be granted for

cash consideration or such minimal cash consideration as

may

be required by law. Options generally have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, vest over a

five

-year period and expire after

ten

years.

The Special Stock Option Plan provides for the issuance of stock options to purchase up to an aggregate of

1,800,000

shares of common stock. Options

may

be granted for such consideration as determined by the Board of Directors. The vesting schedule and exercise price of these options are tied to the recipient’s ownership level of common stock and the terms generally allow for the reduction in exercise price upon each vesting period. Also, the Board of Directors authorized the issuance of options to purchase up to

50,000

shares of common stock to be issued at the direction of the Chairman.

The Key Employee Equity Partnership Program (“KEEP Program”) provides for the granting of stock options to purchase up to

240,000

shares of common stock to key employees, consultants, directors and officers. Participants who purchase shares of stock in the open market receive grants of stock options equal to

50%

of the number of shares purchased, up to a maximum of

6,000

shares in any

two

-year period. Options under the KEEP Program are forfeited in the event of the sale of shares used to acquire such options. Options are granted at an initial exercise price of

60%

of the purchase price paid for the shares acquired and the exercise price reduces to the stock par value at the end of the

six

-year vesting period.

We account for stock options under the fair value method of accounting using a Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the stock option fair value at date of grant. The fair value of stock options is amortized to expense over the vesting period.

stock options were granted in Fiscal

2017,

3,500

shares were granted in Fiscal

2016

and

276,800

shares in Fiscal

2015.

The weighted average Black-Scholes fair value assumptions for stock options granted are as follows: weighted average expected life of

8.0

years for Fiscal

2016

and

7.4

years for Fiscal

2015;

weighted average expected volatility of

29.0%

for Fiscal

2016

and

32.8%

for Fiscal

2015;

weighted average risk free interest rates of

2.1%

for Fiscal

2016

and

2.2%

for Fiscal

2015;

and expected dividend yield of

3.3%

for Fiscal

2016

and

4.6%

for Fiscal

2015.

The expected life of stock options was estimated based on historical experience. The expected volatility was estimated based on historical stock prices for a period consistent with the expected life of stock options. The risk free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected life of stock options. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience and ranged in values up to

16%

for Fiscal

2017

and Fiscal

2016.

The following is a summary of stock option activity for Fiscal

2017:

	Number of Shares			Price (a)
Options outstanding, beginning of year		418,895		$	12.44
Granted		-			-
Exercised		(27,400	)		13.31
Cancelled		(7,900	)		16.01
Options outstanding, end of year		383,595			11.47
Options exercisable, end of year		215,803			9.64

_______________________________

(a)

Weighted average exercise price.

Stock-based compensation expense was

$208,000

for Fiscal

2017,

$228,000

for Fiscal

2016

and

$307,000

for Fiscal

2015.

The total fair value of shares vested was

$362,000

for Fiscal

2017,

$652,000

for Fiscal

2016

and

$371,000

for Fiscal

2015.

The total intrinsic value for stock options exercised was

$1,506,000

for Fiscal

2017,

$5,161,000

for Fiscal

2016

and

$917,000

for Fiscal

2015.

Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were

$365,000

for Fiscal

2017,

$848,000

for Fiscal

2016

and

$228,000

for Fiscal

2015.

Stock based income tax benefits aggregated

$495,000

for Fiscal

2017,

$1,528,000

for Fiscal

2016

and

$240,000

for Fiscal

2015.

The weighted average fair value for stock options granted was

$20.09

for Fiscal

2016

and

$8.30

for Fiscal

2015.

As of

April 29, 2017,

unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of our stock options was

$425,000,

which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of

3.9

years. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding as of

April 29, 2017

was

5.5

years and

$29.6

million, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options exercisable as of

April 29, 2017

was

4.7

years and

$17

million, respectively.

We have a stock purchase plan which provides for the purchase of up to

1,536,000

shares of common stock by employees who (i) have been employed for at least

two

years, (ii) are

not

part-time employees and (iii) are

not

owners of

five

percent or more of our common stock. As of

April 29, 2017,

shares have been issued under the plan.

Note 9 - Pension Plans

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

PENSION PLANS

The Company contributes to certain pension plans under collective bargaining agreements and to a discretionary profit sharing plan. Annual contributions (including contributions to multi-employer plans reflected below) were

$3.1

million for Fiscal

2017,

$2.9

million for Fiscal

2016

and

$2.7

million for Fiscal

2015.

The Company participates in

three

multi-employer defined benefit pension plans with respect to certain collective bargaining agreements. If the Company chooses to stop participating in the multi-employer plan or if other employers choose to withdraw to the extent that a mass withdrawal occurs, the Company could be required to pay the plan a withdrawal liability based on the underfunded status of the plan. During Fiscal

2017,

a subsidiary of the Company reached a settlement with respect to a notification of withdrawal liability by

one

of the multi-employer pension plans

not

considered significant. The settlement did

not

have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Summarized below is certain information regarding the Company’s participation in significant multi-employer pension plans including the financial improvement plan or rehabilitation plan status (“FIP/RP Status”) and the zone status under the Pension Protection Act (“PPA”). The most recent PPA zone status available in Fiscal

2017

and Fiscal

2016

is for the plans’ years ending

December

31,

2015

and

2014,

respectively.

PPA Zone Status

Fiscal

Surcharge

Pension Fund

2017

2016

FIP/RP Status

Imposed

Central States, Southeast and Southwest

Areas Pension Plan (EIN no. 36-6044243)

(the “CSSS Fund”)

Red

Implemented

Yes

Western Conference of Teamsters Pension

Trust Fund (EIN no. 91-6145047)

(the “WCT Fund”)

Green

Not applicable

For the plan years ended

December

31,

2015

and

December 31, 2014,

the Company was

not

listed in the Form

5500

Annual Returns as providing more than

of the total contributions for the above plans. The collective bargaining agreements for employees in the CSSS Fund and the WCT Fund expire on

October 18, 2021

and

May 14, 2021,

respectively

The Company’s contributions for all multi-employer pension plans for the last

three

fiscal years are as follow:

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal		Fiscal		Fiscal
Pension Fund	2017		2016		2015
CSSS Fund	$	1,262	$	1,172	$	1,103
WCT Fund		477		485		637
Other multi-employer pension funds		201		448		306
Total	$	1,940	$	2,105	$	2,046

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

10.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We lease buildings, machinery and equipment under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through

2026.

Certain of these leases contain scheduled rent increases and/or renewal options. Contractual rent increases are taken into account when calculating the minimum lease payment and recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent expense under operating lease agreements totaled

$12.0

million for Fiscal

2017,

$9.2

million for Fiscal

2016

and

$8.2

million for Fiscal

2015.

Our minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of

April 29, 2017

were as follows:

	(In thousands)
Fiscal 2018	$	8,216
Fiscal 2019		7,546
Fiscal 2020		6,168
Fiscal 2021		3,520
Fiscal 2022		1,904
Thereafter		2,922
Total minimum lease payments	$	30,276

As of

April 29, 2017,

we guaranteed the residual value of certain leased equipment in the amount of

$2.5

million. If the proceeds from the sale of such equipment are less than the balance required by the lease when the lease terminates on

August 1, 2017,

the Company shall be required to pay the difference up to such guaranteed amount. The Company does

not

expect to incur a loss on such guarantee.

We enter into various agreements with suppliers for the purchase of raw materials, the terms of which

may

include variable or fixed pricing and minimum purchase quantities. As of

April 29, 2017,

we had purchase commitments for raw materials of

$12.7

million through

2021.

As of

April 29, 2017,

we had purchase commitments for plant and equipment of

$2.6

million for Fiscal

2018.

From time to time, we are a party to various litigation matters and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We do

not

expect the ultimate disposition of such matters to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

April 30

and, as a result, an additional week is added every

five

six

years. Fiscal

2017,

Fiscal

2016

and Fiscal

2015

consisted of

weeks.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Equivalents

Cash and equivalents are comprised of cash and highly liquid securities (consisting primarily of short-term money-market investments) with an original maturity of

three

months or less.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Financial Instruments

not

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Common Share

206,000

shares in Fiscal

2017,

219,000

shares in Fiscal

2016

and

206,000

shares in Fiscal

2015.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

All long-lived assets, excluding goodwill and intangible assets

not

subject to amortization, are evaluated for impairment on the basis of undiscounted cash flows whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset

may

not

subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment annually or sooner if we believe such assets

may

be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount or, for goodwill, the carrying amount of its reporting unit, is greater than its fair value.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

not,

that the benefit of deferred tax assets will

not

be realized.

Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Insurance Programs

We maintain self-insured and deductible programs for certain liability, medical and workers’ compensation exposures. Accordingly, we accrue for known claims and estimated incurred but

not

reported claims

not

otherwise covered by insurance based on actuarial assumptions and historical claims experience. At

April 29, 2017

and

April 30, 2016,

other liabilities included accruals of

$6.9

million and

$5.8

million, respectively, for estimated non-current risk retention exposures, of which

$5.4

million and

$4.8

million were covered by insurance.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets as of

April 29, 2017

and

April 30, 2016

consisted of non-amortizable trademarks

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of

first

-in,

first

-out cost or market. Inventories at

April 29, 2017

were comprised of finished goods of

$35.0

million and raw materials of

$18.4

million. Inventories at

April 30, 2016

were comprised of finished goods of

$29.1

million and raw materials of

$18.8

million.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Marketing Costs

$44.9

million in Fiscal

2017,

$38.8

million in Fiscal

2016

and

$42.4

million in Fiscal

2015.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements

March

2016,

the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update

2016

09,

“Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU

2016

09”

2016

is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 30, 2017.

Adoption is

not

expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

February 2016,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update

No.

2016

02,

“Leases” (“ASU

2016

02”

). ASU

2016

requires the lease rights and obligations arising from lease contracts, including existing and new arrangements, to be recognized as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. ASU

2016

is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 28, 2019.

We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

November 2015,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update

No.

2015

17,

“Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU

2015

17”

). ASU

2015

requires companies to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent on the balance sheet. ASU

2015

is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 30, 2017.

When implemented, current deferred tax asset will be reclassified to noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheet.

May 2014,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update

No.

2014

09,

“Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU

2014

09”

). ASU

2014

requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for goods or services. On

August 12, 2015,

the FASB issued ASU

2015

which deferred the effective date of ASU

2014

one

year and is effective for our fiscal year beginning

April 29, 2018.

We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements; however, adoption is

not

expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Additions, replacements and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do

not

extend the useful life of an asset are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of

years for buildings and improvements and

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales is recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which generally occurs upon delivery. Our policy is

not

provide a specific valuation allowance for sales returns.

Sales Incentives [Policy Text Block]

Sales Incentives

may

vary from accrued amounts.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Reporting

We operate as a

single

not

accumulate revenues by product classification and, therefore, it is impractical to present such information.

Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Such costs aggregated

$50.0

million in Fiscal

2017,

$44.6

million in Fiscal

2016

and

$44.4

million in Fiscal

2015.

Although our classification is consistent with many beverage companies, our gross margin

may

not

be comparable to companies that include shipping and handling costs in cost of sales.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for stock-based compensation awards is recognized over the vesting period based on the grant-date fair value estimated using the Black-Scholes model. See Note

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Trade Receivables

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016			Fiscal 2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	484		$	330		$	399
Net charge to expense		74			232			117
Net charge-off		(90	)		(78	)		(186	)
Balance at end of year	$	468		$	484		$	330

As of

April 29, 2017

and

April 30, 2016,

we did

not

have any customer that comprised more than

10%

of trade receivables.

one

customer accounted for more than

10%

of net sales during any of the last

three

fiscal years.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

may

vary from reported amounts.

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal		Fiscal			Fiscal
	2017		2016			2015
Current	$	54,422	$	32,806		$	24,326
Deferred		1,358		(1,299	)		1,076
Total	$	55,780	$	31,507		$	25,402

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	(In thousands)
	2017		2016
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses and other	$	4,740	$	5,655
Inventory and amortizable assets		538		538
Total deferred tax assets		5,278		6,193
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property		15,157		14,049
Intangibles and other		2,208		2,164
Total deferred tax liabilities		17,365		16,213
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	12,087	$	10,020
Current deferred tax assets – net	$	3,906	$	4,454
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities – net	$	15,993	$	14,474

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal			Fiscal			Fiscal
	2017			2016			2015
Statutory federal income tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		2.2			2.2			2.3
Domestic manufacturing deduction benefit		(3.0	)		(3.0	)		(3.0	)
Other differences		.1			(.2	)		(.3	)
Effective income tax rate		34.3	%		34.0	%		34.0	%

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]

	(In thousands)
	Fiscal			Fiscal			Fiscal
	2017			2016			2015
Beginning balance	$	1,678		$	1,801		$	2,123
Increases due to current period tax positions		150			145			122
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations and audit resolutions		(85	)		(268	)		(444	)
Ending balance	$	1,743		$	1,678		$	1,801

Note 8 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Notes Tables

Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

	Number of Shares			Price (a)
Options outstanding, beginning of year		418,895		$	12.44
Granted		-			-
Exercised		(27,400	)		13.31
Cancelled		(7,900	)		16.01
Options outstanding, end of year		383,595			11.47
Options exercisable, end of year		215,803			9.64

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017 USD ($) shares	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	May 02, 2015 USD ($) shares
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Equity Unit Purchase Agreements \| shares	206,000	219,000	206,000
Self Insurance Reserve, Noncurrent, Covered by Insurance	$ 5.4	$ 4.8
Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross	35.0	29.1
Inventory, Raw Materials, Gross	18.4	18.8
Marketing Expense	44.9	38.8	$ 42.4
Shipping, Handling and Transportation Costs	$ 50.0	44.6	$ 44.4
Number of Operating Segments	1
Building and Building Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Self Insurance Reserve and Coverage by Insurance, Noncurrent	$ 6.9	$ 5.8

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Balance at beginning of year	$ 484	$ 330	$ 399
Net charge to expense	74	232	117
Net charge-off	(90)	(78)	(186)
Balance at end of year	$ 468	$ 484	$ 330

Note 2 - Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Land	$ 9,500	$ 9,500
Buildings and improvements	51,157	50,856
Machinery and equipment	172,257	162,195
Total	232,914	222,551
Less accumulated depreciation	(167,764)	(160,619)
Property, plant and equipment – net	$ 65,150	$ 61,932

Note 3 - Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Accrued compensation	$ 9,967	$ 9,217
Accrued promotions	8,403	5,888
Accrued insurance	2,938	2,786
Other	7,709	8,304
Total	$ 29,017	$ 26,195

Note 4 - Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Note 4 - Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	100,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	2,200,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 97,800,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.90%

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Note 5 - Capital Stock and Transactions With Related Parties (Details Textual) - USD ($)							12 Months Ended					16 Months Ended	24 Months Ended	60 Months Ended
	May 05, 2017	Jan. 27, 2017	Apr. 29, 2016	Aug. 01, 2014	May 02, 2014	Jan. 25, 2013	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017	May 01, 2014
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares			120,000
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Preferred Stock			$ 6,000,000
Preferred Stock, Accretion of Redemption Discount			$ 89,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased			1,600,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares														502,060
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased							1,097,940						1,097,940	1,097,940
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholder Value							$ 4,500,000,000
Percentage Increase (Decrease) of Shareholder Value							10000.00%
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock		$ 69,900,000					$ 69,850,000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 1.50
CMA [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction							8,300,000		7,000,000	$ 6,500,000
Accounts Payable							2,100,000	$ 1,800,000	1,800,000				$ 2,100,000	$ 2,100,000
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period Percentage					40.00%
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value					$ 8,000,000
Issuance Cost Related to Stock Redeemed					$ 118,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage								2.50%			2.50%	3.00%
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares				120,000	160,000
Stock Redeemed in Period, Percentage				50.00%
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Preferred Stock				$ 6,000,000
Preferred Stock, Accretion of Redemption Discount				$ 89,000
Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Basis Spread On Variable Rate													3.70%
Dividends Payable, Current							$ 0	$ 0	$ 0				$ 0	$ 0
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share															$ 50
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues						400,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share						$ 1
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues						$ 20,000,000
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference Per Share						$ 50
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued							150,000	150,000	150,000				150,000	150,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share							$ 1	$ 1	$ 1				$ 1	$ 1
Subsequent Event [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 1.50
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Jun. 05, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Aug. 04, 2017
Dividends Payable	$ 69,900,000

Note 6 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 56,700,000
Price Risk Cash Flow Hedge Unrealized Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	246,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Current	602,000
Accrued Liabilities1 [Member]
Derivative Liability, Current	848,000	$ 2,500,000
Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	$ 476,000

Note 6 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Derivatives Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Recognized in AOCI-
Loss before income taxes	$ (984)	$ (5,743)	$ (3,488)
Less income tax benefit	(365)	(2,131)	(1,294)
Net	(619)	(3,612)	(2,194)
Reclassified from AOCI to cost of sales-
(Loss) gain before income taxes	(2,749)	(6,987)	248
Less income tax (benefit) provision	(1,020)	(2,592)	92
Net	(1,729)	(4,395)	156
Net change to AOCI	$ 1,110	$ 783	$ (2,350)

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015	May 03, 2014
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 1,743,000	$ 1,678,000	$ 1,801,000	$ 2,123,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	66,000
Changes in IncomeTax if All Uncertain Tax Positions Prevail	1,200,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	239,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 12,000

Note 7 - Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Current	$ 54,422	$ 32,806	$ 24,326
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	1,358	(1,299)	1,076
Total	$ 55,780	$ 31,507	$ 25,402

Note 7 - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses and other	$ 4,740	$ 5,655
Inventory and amortizable assets	538	538
Total deferred tax assets	5,278	6,193
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property	15,157	14,049
Intangibles and other	2,208	2,164
Total deferred tax liabilities	17,365	16,213
Net deferred tax liabilities	12,087	10,020
Current deferred tax assets – net	3,906	4,454
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities – net	$ 15,993	$ 14,474

Note 7 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	2.20%	2.20%	2.30%
Domestic manufacturing deduction benefit	(3.00%)	(3.00%)	(3.00%)
Other differences	0.10%	(0.20%)	(0.30%)
Effective income tax rate	34.30%	34.00%	34.00%

Note 7 - Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Beginning balance	$ 1,678	$ 1,801	$ 2,123
Increases due to current period tax positions	150	145	122
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations and audit resolutions	(85)	(268)	(444)
Ending balance	$ 1,743	$ 1,678	$ 1,801

Note 8 - Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0	3,500	276,800
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term		8 years	7 years 146 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate		29.00%	32.80%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		2.10%	2.20%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate		3.30%	4.60%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Forfeiture Rate, Maximum		16.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 208,000	$ 228,000	$ 307,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	362,000	652,000	371,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	1,506,000	5,161,000	917,000
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	365,000	848,000	228,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	495,000	$ 1,528,000	$ 240,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 20.09	$ 8.30
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 425,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	3 years 328 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 182 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 29,600,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 255 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 17,000,000
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares in ESOP	1,536,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Eligibility Requirement, Length of Employment	2 years
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	0
Omnibus Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Number of Shares Authorized Per Individual	1,680,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Omnibus Plan [Member] \| Stock Options or Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	4,800,000
Omnibus Plan [Member] \| SARS Dividend Equivalents and Other Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	4,800,000
Special Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Determined by Board of Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	1,800,000
Other Plan Member \| Determined By Chairman Member
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	50,000
KEEP Program [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Number of Shares Authorized Per Individual	6,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants, Period	2 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent	60.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	6 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	240,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Percentage of Purchased Shares Matched	50.00%

Note 8 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares

12 Months Ended

Apr. 29, 2017

Apr. 30, 2016

May 02, 2015

Apr. 29, 2017

Options outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)

418,895

Options outstanding, beginning of year (in dollars per share)

^[1]

$ 12.44

Options exercisable, end of year (in dollars per share)

^[1]

$ 9.64

Granted (in shares)

3,500

276,800

Granted (in dollars per share)

^[1]

Exercised (in shares)

(27,400)

Exercised (in dollars per share)

^[1]

$ 13.31

Cancelled (in shares)

(7,900)

Cancelled (in dollars per share)

^[1]

$ 16.01

Options outstanding, end of year (in shares)

418,895

383,595

Options outstanding, end of year (in dollars per share)

^[1]

$ 12.44

$ 11.47

Options exercisable, end of year (in shares)

215,803

[1]	Weighted average exercise price.

Note 9 - Pension Plans - Contributions for All Multi-employer Pension Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Fund	$ 1,940	$ 2,105	$ 2,046
CSSS Fund [Member]
Fund	1,262	1,172	1,103
WCT Fund [Member]
Fund	477	485	637
Other Multi Employer Pension Funds [Member]
Fund	$ 201	$ 448	$ 306

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 12.0	$ 9.2	$ 8.2
Leveraged Leases, Net Investment in Leveraged Leases Disclosure, Residual Value of Leased Assets	2.5
Raw Material [Member]
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	12.7
Commitments for Plant and Equipment [Member]
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months	$ 2.6

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Rental Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Apr. 29, 2017 USD ($)
Fiscal 2018	$ 8,216
Fiscal 2019	7,546
Fiscal 2020	6,168
Fiscal 2021	3,520
Fiscal 2022	1,904
Thereafter	2,922
Total minimum lease payments	$ 30,276

Note 11 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Jan. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Jul. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 30, 2016	Nov. 01, 2015	Aug. 02, 2015	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Earnings per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.52	$ 0.53	$ 0.62	$ 0.37	$ 0.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.37	$ 2.30	$ 1.31	$ 1.06
Earnings per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.52	$ 0.53	$ 0.62	$ 0.37	$ 0.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.37	$ 2.29	$ 1.31	$ 1.05
Net sales	$ 212,066	$ 194,564	$ 203,180	$ 217,108	$ 179,034	$ 161,687	$ 178,678	$ 185,386	$ 826,918	$ 704,785	$ 645,825
Gross profit	85,946	75,920	78,717	85,494	65,365	52,552	60,621	62,899	326,077	241,437	219,140
Net income	$ 29,161	$ 24,285	$ 24,604	$ 28,995	$ 17,537	$ 11,236	$ 15,312	$ 17,113	$ 107,045	$ 61,198	$ 49,311
Earnings per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.52	$ 0.53	$ 0.62	$ 0.37	$ 0.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.37	$ 2.30	$ 1.31	$ 1.06
Earnings per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.52	$ 0.53	$ 0.62	$ 0.37	$ 0.24	$ 0.33	$ 0.37	$ 2.29	$ 1.31	$ 1.05

Note 12 - Subsequent Event (Details Textual) - Subsequent Event [Member]	May 05, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared \| $ / shares	$ 1.50
Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable \| $	$ 69,900,000
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Jun. 05, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Aug. 04, 2017

Note 12 - Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Note 12 - Subsequent Event	Apr. 29, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT On May 5, 2017, the Company declared a special cash dividend of $1.50 per share to shareholders of record on June 5, 2017 . The cash dividend of $69.9 million will be paid on or before August 4, 2017 .

Note 9 - Pension Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Payment for Pension Benefits	$ 3.1	$ 2.9	$ 2.7