<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001061588
<NAME> NE RESTAURANT COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-03-2001 JAN-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> JUN-29-2000 DEC-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-27-2000 SEP-27-2000
<CASH> 5,554 5,554
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 1,075 1,075
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 1,925 1,925
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 17,846 17,846
<PP&E> 155,964 155,964
<DEPRECIATION> (39,396) (39,396)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 182,550 182,550
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 31,948 31,948
<BONDS> 100,000 100,000
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 37 37
<OTHER-SE> 5,028 5,028
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 182,550 182,550
<SALES> 71,801 210,181
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 71,801 210,181
<CGS> 18,853 55,214
<TOTAL-COSTS> 68,557 202,203
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,741 11,120
<INCOME-PRETAX> (496) (3,142)
<INCOME-TAX> (30) (753)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (466) (2,389)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (466) (2,389)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.16) (0.80)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.16) (0.80)
</TABLE>