<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FRESH
CHOICE, INC'S REOPRT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 3, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> DEC-27-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-03-2000
<CASH> 3,457
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 73
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 487
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 4,695
<PP&E> 47,388
<DEPRECIATION> (20,865)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 32,109
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,845
<BONDS> 0
0
5,175
<COMMON> 42,346
<OTHER-SE> (25,419)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 32,109
<SALES> 54,141
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 54,141
<CGS> 13,097
<TOTAL-COSTS> 52,069
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 300
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,885
<INCOME-TAX> 50
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,835
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,835
<EPS-BASIC> 0.32
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.26
</TABLE>