<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;31, 2002</B></FONT>

<P align="right"><FONT size="2"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-_______________</B></FONT>
<p>
<HR noshade size="2" width="100%" align="left">
<p>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B></FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>FORM S-8<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.</B></FONT>

<HR width="50%" align="center" size="1" noshade>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></DIV>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="90%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>59-2605822</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR size="1" noshade></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>One North University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="bottom"><FONT size="2">
<B>33324</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR size="1" noshade></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
(Zip Code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>National Beverage Corp. 1991 Ominibus Incentive Plan<BR>
National Beverage Corp. Special Stock Option Plan<BR>
National Beverage Corp. Key Employee Equity Partnership Program</B></FONT>
<DIV align="center"></DIV>
<HR width="50%" align="center" size="1" noshade>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Full Title of the Plans)</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Nick A. Caporella<BR>
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
National Beverage Corp.<BR>
One North University Drive<BR>
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324</B></font>
<HR width="50%" align="center" size="1" noshade>
<DIV align="center"><font size="2">(Name and address of agent for service)</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>(954)&nbsp;581-0922</B></FONT>

<HR width="50%" align="center" size="1" noshade>

<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="90%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount to</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Offering Price Per</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>be Registered (4)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Share (5)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Price (5)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" bgcolor="#eeeeee">
        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (1)</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="center"><FONT size="2">600,000&nbsp;shares</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">13.25</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">7,950,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">737</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>

<TD colspan="17"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2"><HR noshade size="1" width="100%" align="left"></FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (2)</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="center"><FONT size="2">100,000&nbsp;shares</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">13.25</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">1,325,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">122</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>

<TD colspan="17"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2"><HR noshade size="1" width="100%" align="left"></FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" bgcolor="#eeeeee">
        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (3)</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="center"><FONT size="2">50,000&nbsp;shares</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">13.25</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">662,500</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">61</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>

<TD colspan="17"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2"><HR noshade size="1" width="100%" align="left"></FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Total</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="center"><FONT size="2">750,000&nbsp;shares</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">13.25</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">9,937,500</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">914</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>

<TD colspan="17"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2"><HR noshade size="1" width="100%" align="left"></FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Footnotes on following page)
</FONT>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Represents 600,000 of the 2,000,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
options granted and/or to be granted under the National Beverage Corp. 1991
Omnibus Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Represents 100,000 of the 500,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
options granted and/or to be granted under the National Beverage Corp.
Special Stock Option Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(3)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Represents 50,000 of the 100,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
options granted and/or to be granted under the National Beverage Corp. Key
Employee Equity Partnership Program.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(4)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">This Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
securities to be offered or sold as a result of any adjustments from stock
splits, stock dividends or similar transactions, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(5)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
registration fee in accordance with Rule&nbsp;457 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and are based on the average of the high and low selling
prices per share of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock as reported on the
American Stock Exchange on July&nbsp;29, 2002.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<p>
<HR noshade size="2" width="100%" align="left">

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">2</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>



<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8</B></FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 is filed solely for the
purposes of registering additional shares of common stock issuable under our
1991 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the &#147;1991 Plan&#148;), our Special Stock Option Plan
(the &#147;Special Option Plan&#148;) and our Key Employee Equity Partnership Program (the
&#147;Key Employee Plan&#148;). We previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) two Registration Statements on Form&nbsp;S-8 on August
1, 1995 (File No.&nbsp;33-95308) and on September&nbsp;19, 1996 (File No.&nbsp;333-12341) in
order to register shares of common stock issuable under the 1991 Plan. We
previously filed with the Commission two Registration Statements on Form&nbsp;S-8 on
August&nbsp;1, 1995 (File No.33-95308) and on August&nbsp;16, 1999 (File No.&nbsp;333-85275) in
order to register shares of common stock issuable under the Special Option Plan.
We previously filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 on
August&nbsp;16, 1999 (File No.&nbsp;333-85277) in order to register shares of common stock
issuable under the Key Employee Plan. The contents of such earlier Registration
Statements are incorporated herein by reference.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">3</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B></FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement are as
follows:
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Exhibit<BR>
Number</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="bottom"><FONT size="2">
<B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR noshade size="1" width="20%" align="left"></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Akerman, Senterfitt &#038; Eidson, P.A.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Akerman, Senterfitt &#038; Eidson, P.A. (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Powers of Attorney (included as part of the signature page hereto)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">4</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Fort Lauderdale, and the State of Florida, this
29th day of July, 2002.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By: /s/ Dean A McCoy</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR noshade size="1" width="50%" align="left"></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Dean A. McCoy<br>
Senior Vice President and Controller</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></FONT>

<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,</B> that each individual whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Nick A. Caporella and Joseph G.
Caporella, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>SIGNATURE</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>TITLE</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>DATE</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ DEAN A. MCCOY
<HR size="1" noshade>
DEAN A. MCCOY</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Senior Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ NICK A. CAPORELLA
<HR size="1" noshade>
NICK A. CAPORELLA</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
President and Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board,
(principal executive and financial
officer)
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ JOSEPH G. CAPORELLA
<HR size="1" noshade>
JOSEPH G. CAPORELLA</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Executive Vice President
and Secretary
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ SAMUEL C. HATHORN, JR.
<HR size="1" noshade>
SAMUEL C. HATHORN, JR</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ S. LEE KLING
<HR size="1" noshade>
S. LEE KLING</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ JOSEPH P. KLOCK, JR.
<HR size="1" noshade>
JOSEPH P. KLOCK, JR</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director
</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">5</FONT>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Exhibit<BR>
Number</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="bottom"><FONT size="2">
<B>Description</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
        <TD valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<HR size="1" noshade></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Akerman, Senterfitt &#038; Eidson, P.A.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Akerman, Senterfitt &#038; Eidson, P.A. (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Powers of Attorney (included as part of the signature page hereto)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">6</FONT>




</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "g77405sv8.htm", "description": "NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORPORATION FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 29468}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP", "cik": "0000069891", "assigned-sic": "2086", "irs-number": "592605822", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0430"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-97415", "film-number": "02715919"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE", "street2": "BUILDING A 4TH FLOOR", "city": "FORT LAUDERDALE", "state": "FL", "zip": "33324", "phone": "3055810922"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1 NORTH UNIVERSITY DR", "city": "PLANTATION", "state": "FL", "zip": "33324"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 31, 2002
Registration No. 333-_______________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
59-2605822
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One North University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33324
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
National Beverage Corp. 1991 Ominibus Incentive Plan
National Beverage Corp. Special Stock Option Plan
National Beverage Corp. Key Employee Equity Partnership Program
(Full Title of the Plans)
Nick A. Caporella
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
National Beverage Corp.
One North University Drive
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324
(Name and address of agent for service)
(954) 581-0922
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of
Amount to
Offering Price Per
Aggregate Offering
Amount of
Securities to be Registered
be Registered (4)
Share (5)
Price (5)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (1)
600,000 shares
$
13.25
$
7,950,000
$
737
Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (2)
100,000 shares
$
13.25
$
1,325,000
$
122
Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (3)
50,000 shares
$
13.25
$
662,500
$
61
Total
750,000 shares
$
13.25
$
9,937,500
$
914
(Footnotes on following page)
(1)
Represents 600,000 of the 2,000,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
options granted and/or to be granted under the National Beverage Corp. 1991
Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(2)
Represents 100,000 of the 500,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
options granted and/or to be granted under the National Beverage Corp.
Special Stock Option Plan.
(3)
Represents 50,000 of the 100,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
options granted and/or to be granted under the National Beverage Corp. Key
Employee Equity Partnership Program.
(4)
This Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
securities to be offered or sold as a result of any adjustments from stock
splits, stock dividends or similar transactions, pursuant to Rule 416 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(5)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
registration fee in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and are based on the average of the high and low selling
prices per share of the Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the
American Stock Exchange on July 29, 2002.
2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed solely for the
purposes of registering additional shares of common stock issuable under our
1991 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "1991 Plan"), our Special Stock Option Plan
(the "Special Option Plan") and our Key Employee Equity Partnership Program (the
"Key Employee Plan"). We previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") two Registration Statements on Form S-8 on August
1, 1995 (File No. 33-95308) and on September 19, 1996 (File No. 333-12341) in
order to register shares of common stock issuable under the 1991 Plan. We
previously filed with the Commission two Registration Statements on Form S-8 on
August 1, 1995 (File No.33-95308) and on August 16, 1999 (File No. 333-85275) in
order to register shares of common stock issuable under the Special Option Plan.
We previously filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-8 on
August 16, 1999 (File No. 333-85277) in order to register shares of common stock
issuable under the Key Employee Plan. The contents of such earlier Registration
Statements are incorporated herein by reference.
3
Item 8. Exhibits.
The exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement are as
follows:
Exhibit
Number
Description
5.1
Opinion of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A.
23.1
Consent of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
Consent of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
24
Powers of Attorney (included as part of the signature page hereto)
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Fort Lauderdale, and the State of Florida, this
29th day of July, 2002.
NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP.
By: /s/ Dean A McCoy
Dean A. McCoy
Senior Vice President and Controller
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,
that each individual whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Nick A. Caporella and Joseph G.
Caporella, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ DEAN A. MCCOY
DEAN A. MCCOY
Senior Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
July 29, 2002
/s/ NICK A. CAPORELLA
NICK A. CAPORELLA
President and Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board,
(principal executive and financial
officer)
July 29, 2002
/s/ JOSEPH G. CAPORELLA
JOSEPH G. CAPORELLA
Executive Vice President
and Secretary
July 29, 2002
/s/ SAMUEL C. HATHORN, JR.
SAMUEL C. HATHORN, JR
Director
July 29, 2002
/s/ S. LEE KLING
S. LEE KLING
Director
July 29, 2002
/s/ JOSEPH P. KLOCK, JR.
JOSEPH P. KLOCK, JR
Director
July 29, 2002
5
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
5.1
Opinion of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A.
23.1
Consent of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, P.A. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
Consent of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP
24
Powers of Attorney (included as part of the signature page hereto)
6