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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-043978.txt : 20040910
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-043978.hdr.sgml : 20040910
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040910144729
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-043978
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040910
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040910

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HATHORN SAMUEL C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001252769

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14170
		FILM NUMBER:		041025201

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING A, 4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			PLANTATION
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000069891
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BOTTLED & CANNED SOFT DRINKS CARBONATED WATERS [2086]
		IRS NUMBER:				592605822
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING A 4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			FORT LAUDERDALE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3055810922

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 NORTH UNIVERSITY DR
		CITY:			PLANTATION
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bmi90839_bmi001sh.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000069891</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FIZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001252769</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HATHORN SAMUEL C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>16285 PARK TEN PLACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77094</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>KEEP Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-05-03</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Under the Company's Key Employee Equity Partnership Program (&quot;KEEP&quot;), Mr. Hathorn received a grant of 6,000 KEEP options on May 3, 2004 for 12,000 shares of common stock acquired by Mr. Hathorn on August 1, 2003 at $6.76 per share (all share and per share dollar amounts are adjusted for the one hundred percent (100%) stock dividend paid on March 22, 2004).  Under the KEEP plan, no more than 6,000 options can be issued in any two year period and accordingly, the issuance of these options was deferred until expiration of the two year period related to prior issuances of KEEP options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The KEEP options are granted at an initial exercise price of sixty percent (60%) of the purchase price for the shares of National Beverage Corp. common stock acquired and reduced to the par value of the Company's stock at the end of the six year vesting period.  Reference is made to Exhibit 10-21 of the Company's Form 10K for the one year ended May 2, 1998 for a full description of the terms of the KEEP plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Samuel C. Hathorn</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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