<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM: FORM 10-Q
FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 28, 2000
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001061588
<NAME> NE RESTAURANT COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-03-2001 JAN-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> MAR-30-2000 DEC-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-28-2000 JUN-28-2000
<CASH> 5,577 5,577
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 1,459 1,459
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 2,089 2,089
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 18,366 18,366
<PP&E> 151,843 151,843
<DEPRECIATION> (34,022) (34,022)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 182,949 182,949
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,447 34,447
<BONDS> 100,000 100,000
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 37 37
<OTHER-SE> 5,495 5,495
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 182,949 182,949
<SALES> 71,345 138,380
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 71,345 138,380
<CGS> 18,799 36,362
<TOTAL-COSTS> 66,108 133,648
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,706 7,380
<INCOME-PRETAX> (468) 2,646
<INCOME-TAX> (17) (723)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (451) (1,923)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (451) (1,923)
<EPS-BASIC> $(0.15) $(0.64)
<EPS-DILUTED> $(0.15) $(0.64)
</TABLE>