<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-K

[X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1996

[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _____ TO _____

                         Commission file number: 0-2396

                           BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                   California                              95-1778176
         (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
         incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

       1308 North Patt Street, Anaheim, California           92801
           (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip code)

                                 (714) 526-5533
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                     Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
                                (Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. YES _X_ NO ___

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
form 10-K. _X_

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant on January 21, 1997 was $26,166,000.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 9,396,933 shares of Common
Stock, par value of $1.00 per share, as of January 21, 1997.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Items 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Part II are incorporated by reference from the
registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended November 1,
1996. Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Part III are incorporated by reference from the
registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
March 12, 1997.
<PAGE>   2
                                     PART I

ITEM 1.       BUSINESS

       Background of Business

       Bridgford Foods Corporation, a California corporation (collectively with
its subsidiaries, the "Company"), was organized in 1952. The Company originally
began its operations as a retail meat market in San Diego, California, and
evolved into a meat wholesaler for hotels and restaurants, a distributor of
frozen food products, a processor and packer of meat and a manufacturer and
distributor of frozen food products for sale on a retail and wholesale basis.
For more than the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries have been
primarily engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of an
extensive line of frozen, refrigerated and snack food products throughout the
United States. The Company has not been involved in any bankruptcy, receivership
or similar proceedings, nor has it been party to any merger, acquisition, etc.
or acquired or disposed of any material amounts of assets during the past five
years. Substantially all of the assets of the Company have been acquired in the
ordinary course of business. The Company had no significant change in the type
of products produced or distributed, nor in the markets or methods of
distribution since the beginning of the fiscal year.

Certain statements in this report constitute "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance, or achievements of Bridgford Foods Corporation to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, among others,
the following: general economic and business conditions; the impact of
competitive products and pricing; success of operating initiatives; development
and operating costs; advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity;
acceptance of new product offerings; consumer trial and frequency; changes in
business strategy or development plans; availability, terms and deployment of
capital; availability of qualified personnel; commodity, labor, and employee
benefit costs; changes in, or failure to comply with, government regulations;
weather conditions; construction schedules; and other factors referenced in this
report.

       Description of Business

       The Company operates in one business segment - the manufacture and
distribution of frozen, refrigerated and snack food products. The products
manufactured and distributed by the Company consist of an extensive line of food
products, including a variety of sliced luncheon meats and cheeses, wieners,
bacon, sandwiches, dry sausages, biscuits, bread dough items and roll dough
items. The products purchased by the Company for resale include a variety of
jerky, cheeses, salads, party dips, Mexican foods, nuts and other delicatessen
type food products. In the aggregate, the Company manufactures or distributes a
product line consisting of a total of approximately 450 food products. For
fiscal year 1996, products manufactured or processed by the Company 
represented approximately 83% of the Company's consolidated sales and items
manufactured or processed by third parties for distribution represented
approximately 17% of consolidated sales. For fiscal year 1995, products
manufactured or processed by the Company represented approximately 85% of
the Company's consolidated sales and items manufactured or processed by third
parties for distribution represented approximately 15% of consolidated sales.
For fiscal year 1994, products manufactured or processed by the Company 
represented approximately 87% of the Company's consolidated sales and items
manufactured or processed by third parties for distribution represented
approximately 13% of consolidated sales. For fiscal years 1992


                                  2 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   3
through 1993, the products manufactured or processed by the Company represented
approximately 89% of the Company's consolidated sales, and the products
manufactured or processed by third parties for distribution by the Company were
approximately 11% of the Company's consolidated sales. Although the Company has
recently introduced several new products, none of these products have
contributed significantly to the Company's revenue growth for the fiscal year.
The Company's sales are not subject to material seasonal variations.
Historically the Company has been able to respond quickly to the receipt of
orders and, accordingly, the Company does not maintain a significant sales
backlog. The Company and its industry generally have no unusual demands or
restrictions on working capital items. The Company is not dependent upon a
single customer, or a few customers, the loss of which would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. During the last fiscal
year the Company did not enter into any new markets or any significant
contractual or other material relationships.

       The Company has two classes of similar food products, each of which has
accounted for 10% or more of consolidated sales in the prior three fiscal years
listed below. The following table shows sales, as a percentage of consolidated
sales, for each of these two classes of similar products for each of the last
three fiscal years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996       1995      1994
                                                      ----       ----      ----
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>       <C>
              Frozen Food Products                     44%        46%       46%
              Refrigerated and Snack Food Products     56%        54%       54%
                                                      ----       ----      ----
                                                      100%       100%      100%
                                                      ====       ====      ====
</TABLE>

       To date, federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations,
including those relating to the discharge of materials into the environment,
have not had a material effect on the Company's business.

       Product Planning and Research and Development

       The Company continually monitors the consumer acceptance of each product
within its extensive product line. Individual products are regularly added to
and deleted from the Company's product line. The addition or deletion of any
product has not had a material effect on the Company's operations. The Company
believes that a key factor in the success of its products is its system of
carefully targeted research and testing of its products to ensure high quality
and that each product matches an identified market opportunity. The emphasis in
new product introductions in the past few years has been in microwaveable,
single service items. The Company is constantly searching to develop new
products to complement its existing product line and improved processing
techniques and formulas for its existing product line. The Company utilizes an
in-house test kitchen to research and experiment with unique food preparation
methods, improve quality control and analyze new ingredient mixtures. The
Company does not anticipate any significant change in product-mix as a result of
its research and development efforts.

       Marketing, Sales and Distribution

       The Company markets and sells its products with its own sales force,
brokers, cooperatives, wholesalers and independent distributors. Currently,
products are sold by the Company's own sales force to approximately 25,000
retail food stores located in 49 states and Canada. In addition, the Company
sells its products through wholesalers, cooperatives and distributors to
approximately an additional 17,500 retail outlets and 19,000 restaurants and
institutions.


                                  3 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   4
       The Company's annual advertising expenditures are directed towards retail
and institutional customers. These customers participate in various special
promotional programs including "slotting" and direct advertising allowances
sponsored by the Company. The Company also invests in general consumer
advertising in various newspapers and periodicals. The Company directs
advertising at food service customers with campaigns in major industry
publications and through Company participation in trade shows throughout the
United States.

       Competition

       The products of the Company are sold under highly competitive conditions.
All food products can be considered competitive with other food products, but
the Company regards its principal competitors to include national, regional and
local producers and distributors of refrigerated, frozen and snack food
products. Several of the Company's competitors include large companies with
substantially greater financial and marketing resources than those of the
Company. Existing competitors may broaden their product lines and potential
competitors may enter or increase their focus on the Company's market, resulting
in greater competition for the Company. The Company believes that its products
compete favorably with those of the Company's competitors. Such competitors'
products compete against those of the Company for retail shelf space,
institutional distribution and customer preference.


       Employees

       At the end of fiscal 1996, the Company had approximately 650 employees,
approximately one-half of whose employment relationship with the Company was
governed by collective bargaining agreements. Certain agreements were extended
during fiscal year 1996 and these agreements currently expire between February
1998 and March 2000. The Company believes that its relationship with its
employees is good. There are currently no significant ongoing negotiations with
its employees.

       Raw Materials

       Although the Company has numerous sources of raw materials, the
availability of raw materials is subject to some volatility. From time to time
drought or flood conditions affect the cost of grain products adversely in the
short run, and costs of meat products in the subsequent two to five year cycle.
Similarly, periods of surplus grain products, usually occasioned by favorable
growing weather and adequate moisture, result in an increased supply and
lowering of grain costs in ensuing seasons. Government commodity programs and
export enhancement programs can also have material effects on commodity prices.
These programs are generally not predictable beyond published information.


ITEM 2.       PROPERTIES

       The Company owns its headquarters and plant located in Anaheim,
California, a 100,000 square-foot processing facility located on five acres of
land. The Company also owns a 146,000 square-foot processing facility on 1-1/2
acres of land in Chicago, Illinois, a 91,000 square-foot food processing
facility on 3-3/4 acres of land, a 4,000 square foot warehouse facility on 1.5
acres of land and a 28,000 square foot food processing facility on 1-3/4 acres
of land in Dallas, Texas. The foregoing plants are, in general, fully utilized
by the Company for processing, warehousing, distributing and administrative
purposes. In addition, the Company owns an unoccupied 2,500 square-foot
warehouse on 1/3 acre of land in Modesto, California. The Company also owns 
1/4 acre of land in San Diego, California. This land is


                                  4 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   5
currently being leased to a third party. The Company leases warehouse and/or
office space in Oakland, California, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The Company's
properties are adequate to satisfy its foreseeable needs. Additional properties
may be acquired and/or plants expanded if favorable opportunities and conditions
arise. The Company's capital improvement programs continued into 1996.
Significant projects were completed at all locations, primarily for new 14,000
square foot additions and modernization of our Frozen-Rite plant in Dallas,
Texas at a total cost of $6,005,000 ($1,820,000 for fiscal year 1996) and the
construction and equipping of our new 42,000 square foot, state-of-the-art
frozen food plant at a total cost of $5,070,000 ($2,177,000 for fiscal year
1996) on approximately eight acres of land in North Carolina. These factories 
are now running efficiently. The balance of projects in process at 
November 1, 1996 was $167,000.

ITEM 3.       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

       No material legal proceeding was pending at November 1, 1996 against the
Company.

ITEM 4.       SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

       No matters were submitted to the Company's shareholders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ended November 1, 1996.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

       The names, ages and positions of all the executive officers of the
Company as of January 1, 1997 are listed below. All executive officers are
full-time employees of the Company. Messrs. Hugh Wm. Bridgford and Allan L.
Bridgford are brothers. Officers are normally appointed annually by the 
board of directors at their meeting immediately following the annual meeting 
of shareholders.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                     Age           Position(s) with the Company
----                     ---           ----------------------------
<S>                      <C>   <C>
Allan L. Bridgford       61    Chairman and member of the Executive Committee

Robert E. Schulze        62    President and member of the Executive Committee

Hugh Wm. Bridgford       65    Vice President and Chairman of the Executive Committee

Salvatore F. DeGeorge    65    Senior Vice President

Lawrence D. English      65    Vice President
</TABLE>


                                  5 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   6
                                     PART II


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

       The Company's Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common
Stock"), is traded in the over-the-counter market and prices are quoted on The
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "BRID." As of January 1, 1997, there
were 616 holders of record of the Company's Common Stock. The market price and
dividend information with respect to the Company's Common Stock are set forth on
the inside cover of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders
incorporated herein by reference. Future dividends will be dependent upon future
earnings, financial requirements and other factors.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

       The information set forth on page 4 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report
to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

       The information set forth on pages 4 and 5 of the Company's 1996 Annual
Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

       The information set forth on pages 6 through 11 of the Company's 1996
Annual Report to Shareholders in the sections thereof entitled "Consolidated
Balance Sheets", "Consolidated Statements of Income", "Consolidated Statements
of Shareholders' Equity", "Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows", "Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements" and "Report of Independent Accountants" is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

       Not applicable.


                                  6 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   7
                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

       Information set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 12, 1997 is incorporated
herein by reference. Information concerning the executive officers of the
Company is set forth in Part I hereof under the heading "Executive Officers of
the Registrant."

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

       Information set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 12, 1997 is incorporated
herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

       Information set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 12, 1997 is incorporated
herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

       Information set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the
1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 12, 1997 is incorporated
herein by reference.


                                  7 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   8
                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

      (a)   The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

            (1)   Financial Statements. See "Index to Consolidated Financial
                  Statements" included in this report.

            (2)   Financial Statement Schedules. See "Index to Consolidated
                  Financial Statements" included in this report.

            (3)   Exhibits. The exhibits filed as a part of this report are
                  listed in the accompanying "Index to Exhibits".

      (b)   Report on Form 8-K. The Company did not file a Current Report on
            Form 8-K during the quarter ended November 1, 1996.


                                  8 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   9
                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                                 BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION

                                                 By:  /s/ Allan L. Bridgford
                                                    --------------------------
                                                    Allan L. Bridgford, Chairman

                                                 Date:  January 24, 1997

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

     Signature                      Title                          Date
     ---------                      -----                          ----

/s/ Allan L. Bridgford           Chairman                    January 24, 1997
----------------------
Allan L. Bridgford

/s/ Robert E. Schulze            President                   January 24, 1997
---------------------
Robert E. Schulze

/s/ Hugh Wm. Bridgford           Vice President              January 24, 1997
----------------------
Hugh Wm. Bridgford

/s/ Paul A. Gilbert              Director                    January 24, 1997
-------------------
Paul A. Gilbert

/s/ John W. McNevin              Director                    January 24, 1997
-------------------
John W. McNevin

/s/ Steven H. Price              Director                    January 24, 1997
-------------------
Steven H. Price

/s/ Norman V. Wagner II          Director                    January 24, 1997
-----------------------
Norman V. Wagner II

/s/ Paul R. Zippwald             Director                    January 24, 1997
--------------------
Paul R. Zippwald


                                  9 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   10
                           BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION

                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


      The consolidated financial statements of the Registrant and its
subsidiaries, including the report thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP dated
December 24, 1996, appearing on pages 6 through 11 of the accompanying 1996
Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated by reference in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K. With the exception of the aforementioned information and
the information incorporated in Items 5, 6, 7 and 8, the 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders is not to be deemed filed as part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K. The following Financial Statement Schedules should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements in such 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.
Financial Statement Schedules not included with this Annual Report on Form 10-K
have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is
shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Report of Independent Accountants on Financial
 Statement Schedules                                                         F-2

Financial Statement Schedules for the three years ended November 1, 1996:

    Schedule VIII - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
    Accounts                                                                 F-3

   Schedule X - Supplementary Income Statement Information                   F-4
</TABLE>


                                 10 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   11
                      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON

                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

                                       F-2



To the Board of Directors of
 Bridgford Foods Corporation

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report
dated December 24, 1996 appearing on page 11 of the 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders of Bridgford Foods Corporation (which report and consolidated
financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K) also included an audit of the Financial Statement Schedules listed in Item
14(a) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, these Financial Statement Schedules
present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when
read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.

/s/Price Waterhouse LLP
Costa Mesa, California
December 24, 1996


                                 11 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   12
                           BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
                                  SCHEDULE VIII
                        VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                       F-3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Provision for        Accounts      Balance at
                 Balance at      losses on         written off       close
                  beginning      Accounts             less            of
                  of period     Receivable         Recoveries       period
                  ---------     ----------         ----------       ------
<S>              <C>           <C>                 <C>            <C>
                               October 28, 1994
                               ----------------
Allowance for
doubtful
accounts           $435,972        $64,545            $29,935       $470,582
                   ========        =======            =======       ========

                               November 3, 1995
                               ----------------
Allowance for
doubtful
accounts           $470,582       $138,650           $103,609       $505,623
                   ========       ========           ========       ========

                               November 1, 1996
                               ----------------
Allowance for
doubtful
accounts           $505,623       $139,150           $141,188       $503,585
                   ========       ========           ========       ========
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   13
                           BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION
                                  SCHEDULE VIII
                   SUPPLEMENTARY INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
                                       F-4



                               Fiscal Years Ended



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        November 1,           November 3,          October 28,
                           1996                  1995                 1994
                           ----                  ----                 ----
<S>                     <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Maintenance
and repairs              $3,220,610           $3,170,683            $3,416,409
                         ==========           ==========            ==========


Advertising
costs                    $6,184,915           $5,530,868            $4,658,477
                         ==========           ==========            ==========
</TABLE>


Taxes other than payroll and income taxes, are less than 1% of total sales as
reported in the related income statements.


                                 13 of 15 Pages
<PAGE>   14
                           BRIDGFORD FOODS CORPORATION

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
  No.                                                                                                Page No.
-------                                                                                              --------
<S>        <C>                                                                                       <C>
  3.1      Articles of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 1 to Form 10 and incorporated herein by          NA
           reference).

  3.2      Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated June 24, 1954 (filed as Exhibit 1-a to          NA
           Form 10 and incorporated herein by reference).

  3.3      Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated September 30, 1955 (filed as Exhibit 1-c        NA
           to Form 10 and incorporated herein by reference).

  3.4      Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated April 3, 1963 (filed as Exhibit 1-c to          NA
           Form 10 and incorporated herein by reference).

  3.5      Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated December 29, 1989 (filed as                        NA
           Exhibit 3.5 to Form 10 on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein
           by reference).

  3.6      Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated July 27, 1990 (filed as Exhibit 3.6 to         NA
           Form 10 on January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).

  3.7      By-laws, as amended (filed as Exhibit 2 to Form 10 and incorporated herein by                NA
           reference).

 10.1      Bridgford Foods Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan (filed as
           Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10 on January 28, 1993 and incorporated
           herein by reference).                                                                        NA

 10.2      Bridgford Foods Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit         NA
           10.2 to Form 10 January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.3      Bridgford Foods Corporation Deferred Compensation Savings Plan. (filed as Exhibit 10.3       NA
           to Form 10 January 28, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference).

 13.1      1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.                                                          --

 22.1      Subsidiaries of the Registrant.                                                              15

 27.1      Financial Data Schedule for the fiscal year ended November 1, 1996, submitted to the
           Securities Exchange Commission in electronic format (for SEC information only).
</TABLE>


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