Exhibit 99(a)
                          PRESS RELEASE





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY
MARCH 13, 1997

CONTACT PERSON:         STACY DUCKETT, VICE PRESIDENT
                        CORPORATION COMMUNICATIONS
                        (501) 688-8229

                 TCBY REPORTS IMPROVED OPERATING
                     RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER

LITTLE ROCK, AR  - Thursday (March  13) - TCBY  ENTERPRISES,
INC. (NYSE:TBY) today  announced improved operating  results
for the  first quarter  of 1997.   Net  income increased  to
$251,651, or $.01 per share, from a net loss of  $(504,677),
or $(.02) per share, in  1996.  These results represent  the
best first quarter  performance experienced  by the  Company
since 1990.

Sales and franchising revenues were $18,471,699 as  compared
to $17,277,653 for the  same period last  year.  While  this
represents a  seven  percent improvement  in  revenues,  the
increase  in  sales   and  franchising  revenues   excluding
Company-owned units (which were franchised or closed  during
1996) is 15 percent.  The increase in sales and  franchising
revenues is primarily attributable to improvements in  sales
at Americana Foods and Riverport Equipment and  Distribution
Company (Riverport) and  increased international  franchisee
fees.   Americana Foods  and  Riverport benefited  from  the
Company's continued growth in co-branded locations.

As of  March 2,  1997, there  were 2,718  "TCBY"(Registered)
locations and 7 Juice  Works(Registered) locations open,  as
well  as   several   thousand  retail   points-of-sale   for
"TCBY"(Registered) products worldwide.   In addition,  there
were  314   "TCBY"(Registered)   locations  and   13   Juice
Works(Registered) locations under agreement for development.
Most of the  "TCBY"(Registered) locations under  development
will be  co-branded location  with other  food or  petroleum
operations.    The  first  Juice  Works(Registered)  airport
locations will  open in  the San  Diego and  Chicago O'Hare
airports in the coming months.

The Company introduced  its 1997 Marketing  programs at  its
International Franchise Conference  held earlier this  week.
The 1997  plans  include  national  television,  radio,  and
newspaper advertising which will highlight new products  and
product promotions.    The  conference  also  afforded  TCBY
franchisees   the   opportunity   to   review    co-branding
opportunities, preview new  products, and  attend break  out
sessions addressing various areas  of interest to assist  in
their unit  operations.    The conference  was  attended  by
franchisees from across the United States, including several
co-branding partners.  In  addition, over 30 countries  were
represented by the international franchisees in attendance.

The Company's expansion worldwide continued during the first
quarter.   Several new  development agreements  were  signed
including  those   for  Argentina,   Finland,  and   Turkey.
Co-branding continues to extend to international markets  as
locations were  recently opened  in conjunction  with  Hyatt
Regency in Aruba and Texaco in Jamaica.

"We are pleased with the first quarter results," said  Frank
D. Hickingbotham,  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer.
"The opportunities for continued growth and improvements are
numerous for our  Company.  We  remain focused on  improving
sales   and   overall    profitability   through    expanded
distribution of our products worldwide."

A  key  objective  of  the  Company  continues  to  be   the
enhancement of shareholder value.  As such, the Company  has
announced that  its  executive  management  team  will  only
receive their full  incentive bonus if  the Company  attains
earnings per share of $.34 in 1997, which approximates a  30
percent increase over  1996.  The  Company expects  revenues
from food products and equipment sales to increase over 1996
due to continued expansion of co-branded locations and other
manufacturing opportunities.  Sales will be reduced somewhat
by the franchising  of Company-owned units  during 1996,  as
noted above.  Management will continue to evaluate operating
costs for  efficiencies.   These forward-looking  statements
are based on certain assumptions regarding the economy, unit
openings and  closings, sales  volumes  per unit  and  other
manufacturing   opportunities.      Should   the   Company's
performance differ materially from the assumptions regarding
these areas, actual  results could  vary significantly  from
the performance noted in the forward looking statements.

The Board of Directors  of the Company  has declared a  $.05
per share cash dividend.  This dividend is payable April 10,
1997 to stockholders of record as of March 27, 1997.

In December, 1995, the  Company announced the  authorization
by its Board of  Directors to purchase  up to three  million
shares of  its  outstanding  common stock.    To  date,  the
Company has  purchased over  1.3 million  shares under  this
authorization.   Purchases  have  been  made  utilizing  the
Company's cash from operations.

TCBY  Enterprises,  Inc.,   through  subsidiary   companies,
manufactures and sells  soft serve  frozen yogurt,  hardpack
frozen  yogurt,  hardpack  ice  cream,  and  frozen  novelty
products, and markets foodservice equipment.  The Company is
the  world's  largest   manufacturer-franchisor  of   frozen
yogurt.    The   Company,  through  subsidiaries,   develops
locations and  products  under  the  "TCBY"(Registered)  and
Juice Works(Registered) brands.



                      TCBY Enterprises, Inc.
                   Selected Financial Highlights
             (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
                            (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Quarter Ended
                                        March 2,     February 29,
                                         1997           1996
<S>                                     <C>            <C>
Operating Results
Sales & Franchising Revenues            $18,472        $ 17,278
Net Income (Loss)                       $   252        $   (505)
Net Income (Loss) Per Share             $   .01        $   (.02)
Average Shares Outstanding               24,472          25,564
Dividends Paid Per Share                $   .05        $    .05
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        March 2       November 30
                                          1997           1996
<S>                                     <C>            <C>
Financial Position
Current Assets                          $ 44,555       $ 44,706
Current Liabilities                     $ 11,979       $ 10,777
Property, Plant & Equipment, Net        $ 42,483       $ 43,339
Total Assets                            $100,810       $102,468
Long-term Debt, less current portion    $  8,677       $  9,469
Stockholders' Equity                    $ 77,154       $ 79,220

</TABLE>


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