content: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
  
       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  
          Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) October 17, 2002
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  
                          New World Restaurant Group, Inc.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
  
  
  Delaware                          0-27148                             13-3690261
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (State or Other                 (Commission                     (I.R.S. Employer
  Jurisdiction of                 File Number)                      Identification
  Incorporation)                                                              No.)
  
  
                               246 Industrial Way West
                             Eatontown, New Jersey 07724
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
  
  
                                   (732) 544-0155
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
  
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report.)
  
  
  <PAGE>
  
  
  ITEM 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.
  
        Reference is made to the New World Restaurant Group, Inc. press release
  attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated by reference herein
  (including, without limitation, the information set forth in the cautionary
  statement contained in the press release), relating to the announcement by the
  Company that it has retained CIBC World Markets Corp. as its financial advisor
  in connection with its review of strategic alternatives to rationalize its
  capital structure. Reference is also made to the New World Restaurant Group,
  Inc. press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2, and incorporated by
  reference herein, relating to the death of Max Craig, the Company's Chief
  Financial Officer.
  
  
  ITEM 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  
  (c) Exhibits.
  
  Exhibit  Description
  -------  -----------
  
  99.1     Press Release issued October 17, 2002.
  
  99.2     Press Release issued October 21, 2002.
  
  <PAGE>
  
                                     SIGNATURES
  
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
  
                                              NEW WORLD RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
  
  
                                              BY:      /s/ Anthony Wedo
                                                   -------------------------------
                                                   Name:  Anthony Wedo
                                                   Title: Chief Executive Officer
  
  
  Date:  October 22, 2002
  
  
  
                               EX-99
                       Exhibit 99.1
  
                                                                      Exhibit 99.1
  
                   NEW WORLD RETAINS CIBC WORLD MARKETS AS ADVISOR
                          TO REVIEW STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES
  
        EATONTOWN, NJ (10/17/02) - New World Restaurant Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:
  NWCI) today announced that it has retained CIBC World Markets Corp. as its
  financial advisor in connection with its review of strategic alternatives to
  rationalize its capital structure.
  
        CIBC World Markets is a full service corporate and investment bank
  throughout North America, with operations in Asia, Europe and Australia, and
  serving more than 8,000 corporate, government and institutional clients. The
  firm's parent company is CIBC, one of North America's largest financial
  institutions with offices in 18 countries, including the world's major financial
  centers.
  
        New World is a leading company in the quick casual sandwich industry, the
  fastest-growing restaurant segment. The company operates locations primarily
  under the Einstein Bros and Noah's New York Bagels brands and primarily
  franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery
  brands. As of October 1, 2002, the company's retail system consisted of 458
  company-owned locations and 289 franchised and licensed locations in 34 states.
  The company also operates one dough production facility and one coffee roasting
  plant.
  
                                        ****
  
  Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements
  or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements
  within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
  words "forecast," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "should," "would"
  and similar expressions and all statements which are not historical facts are
  intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
  statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
  other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance
  (financial or operating), or achievements to differ from the future results,
  performance (financial or operating), or achievements expressed or implied by
  such forward-looking statements. The above factors are more fully discussed in
  the Company's SEC filings.
  
  Press Contact:
  --------------
  
  Media/investors: Bill Parness, Parness & Associates, (732) 290-0121;
  parnespr@optonline.net
  
  
  
                               EX-99
                                   Exhibit 99.2
  
                                                                     Exhibit 99.2
  
                     NEW WORLD ANNOUNCES DEATH OF CFO MAX CRAIG
  
        EATONTOWN, NJ (10/21/02) - New World Restaurant Group, Inc. (Pink sheets:
  NWCI) today announced the death of Max Craig, the company's Chief Financial
  Officer.
  
        Mr. Craig, 48 had joined the company in June. He passed away on Saturday,
  October 19, while horseback riding near his home in Littleton, Colo. Cause of
  death has not yet been determined.
  
        "To say that we will miss Max does not begin to describe how much he has
  meant to me and the people with whom he worked," said Anthony Wedo, New World
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Max had demonstrated remarkable talent,
  effort and determination since he joined our company. These strengths do not
  begin to capture the true character, warmth and compassion he exhibited day
  after day, no matter how challenging the circumstances. Max cared deeply about
  building our company into a highly successful and respected organization."
  
        Prior to joining New World, Mr. Craig had been Chief Financial Officer of
  the Taco Bell Corporation unit of PepsiCo. Inc/Tricon Global Restaurants. He
  joined Pepsico Food Systems' finance department in 1980 and rose to Senior
  Director, Finance. In 1987, he moved to the Taco Bell unit as Vice President,
  Business Planning and subsequently held Vice President positions in Development
  and Acquisitions/Divestitures, before being appointed CFO. He began his career
  in 1977 in the finance department of Ford Motor Company. Mr. Craig held a
  Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., and
  an MBA in Finance from the University of Kansas.
  
        Mr. Craig is survived by his wife Diana; three grown children, Kimberly
  Wine, Stephanie, and Jeffrey, and a grandson, Michael.
  
        New World is a leading company in the quick casual sandwich industry, the
  fastest-growing restaurant segment. The company operates locations primarily
  under the Einstein Bros and Noah's New York Bagels brands and primarily
  franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery
  brands. As of July 2, 2002, the company's retail system consisted of 458
  company-owned locations and 289 franchised and licensed locations in 34 states.
  The company also operates one dough production facility and one coffee roasting
  plant.
  
                                        ###
  
  Contact:
  --------
  
  Media/investors: Bill Parness, Parness & Associates, (732) 290-0121, or
  Martin Gitlin (914) 529-7702; parnespr@optionline.net
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "e89846.txt", "secsgml_size_bytes": 8472}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NEW WORLD RESTAURANT GROUP INC", "cik": "0000949373", "assigned-sic": "5812", "irs-number": "133690261", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1228"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-27148", "film-number": "02796350"}, "business-address": {"street1": "246 INDUSTRIAL WAY WEST", "street2": "C/O NEW WORLD HOLDINGS", "city": "EATONTOWN", "state": "NJ", "zip": "07724", "phone": "7325440155"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "246 INDUSTRIAL WAY WEST", "street2": "C/O NEW WORLD HOLDINGS", "city": "EATONTOWN", "state": "NJ", "zip": "07724"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "NEW WORLD COFFEE INC", "date-changed": "19950815"}, {"former-conformed-name": "NEW WORLD COFFEE & BAGELS INC /", "date-changed": "19981007"}, {"former-conformed-name": "NEW WORLD COFFEE MANHATTAN BAGEL INC", "date-changed": "19990413"}]}
text: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                                      FORM 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
  
       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
          Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) October 17, 2002
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
                          New World Restaurant Group, Inc.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
  
  Delaware                          0-27148                             13-3690261
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (State or Other                 (Commission                     (I.R.S. Employer
  Jurisdiction of                 File Number)                      Identification
  Incorporation)                                                              No.)
  
                               246 Industrial Way West
                             Eatontown, New Jersey 07724
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
  
                                   (732) 544-0155
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (Former Name or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report.)
  ITEM 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.
  
        Reference is made to the New World Restaurant Group, Inc. press release
  attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated by reference herein
  (including, without limitation, the information set forth in the cautionary
  statement contained in the press release), relating to the announcement by the
  Company that it has retained CIBC World Markets Corp. as its financial advisor
  in connection with its review of strategic alternatives to rationalize its
  capital structure. Reference is also made to the New World Restaurant Group,
  Inc. press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2, and incorporated by
  reference herein, relating to the death of Max Craig, the Company's Chief
  Financial Officer.
  
  ITEM 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  
  (c) Exhibits.
  
  Exhibit  Description
  -------  -----------
  
  99.1     Press Release issued October 17, 2002.
  
  99.2     Press Release issued October 21, 2002.
  SIGNATURES
  
           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                              NEW WORLD RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
  
                                              BY:      /s/ Anthony Wedo
                                                   -------------------------------
                                                   Name:  Anthony Wedo
                                                   Title: Chief Executive Officer
  
  Date:  October 22, 2002
  
                               EX-99
                       Exhibit 99.1
  
                                                                      Exhibit 99.1
  
                   NEW WORLD RETAINS CIBC WORLD MARKETS AS ADVISOR
                          TO REVIEW STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES
  
        EATONTOWN, NJ (10/17/02) - New World Restaurant Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:
  NWCI) today announced that it has retained CIBC World Markets Corp. as its
  financial advisor in connection with its review of strategic alternatives to
  rationalize its capital structure.
  
        CIBC World Markets is a full service corporate and investment bank
  throughout North America, with operations in Asia, Europe and Australia, and
  serving more than 8,000 corporate, government and institutional clients. The
  firm's parent company is CIBC, one of North America's largest financial
  institutions with offices in 18 countries, including the world's major financial
  centers.
  
        New World is a leading company in the quick casual sandwich industry, the
  fastest-growing restaurant segment. The company operates locations primarily
  under the Einstein Bros and Noah's New York Bagels brands and primarily
  franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery
  brands. As of October 1, 2002, the company's retail system consisted of 458
  company-owned locations and 289 franchised and licensed locations in 34 states.
  The company also operates one dough production facility and one coffee roasting
  plant.
  
                                        ****
  
  Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements
  or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements
  within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
  words "forecast," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "should," "would"
  and similar expressions and all statements which are not historical facts are
  intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
  statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
  other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance
  (financial or operating), or achievements to differ from the future results,
  performance (financial or operating), or achievements expressed or implied by
  such forward-looking statements. The above factors are more fully discussed in
  the Company's SEC filings.
  
  Press Contact:
  --------------
  
  Media/investors: Bill Parness, Parness & Associates, (732) 290-0121;
  parnespr@optonline.net
  
                               EX-99
                                   Exhibit 99.2
  
                                                                     Exhibit 99.2
  
                     NEW WORLD ANNOUNCES DEATH OF CFO MAX CRAIG
  
        EATONTOWN, NJ (10/21/02) - New World Restaurant Group, Inc. (Pink sheets:
  NWCI) today announced the death of Max Craig, the company's Chief Financial
  Officer.
  
        Mr. Craig, 48 had joined the company in June. He passed away on Saturday,
  October 19, while horseback riding near his home in Littleton, Colo. Cause of
  death has not yet been determined.
  
        "To say that we will miss Max does not begin to describe how much he has
  meant to me and the people with whom he worked," said Anthony Wedo, New World
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Max had demonstrated remarkable talent,
  effort and determination since he joined our company. These strengths do not
  begin to capture the true character, warmth and compassion he exhibited day
  after day, no matter how challenging the circumstances. Max cared deeply about
  building our company into a highly successful and respected organization."
  
        Prior to joining New World, Mr. Craig had been Chief Financial Officer of
  the Taco Bell Corporation unit of PepsiCo. Inc/Tricon Global Restaurants. He
  joined Pepsico Food Systems' finance department in 1980 and rose to Senior
  Director, Finance. In 1987, he moved to the Taco Bell unit as Vice President,
  Business Planning and subsequently held Vice President positions in Development
  and Acquisitions/Divestitures, before being appointed CFO. He began his career
  in 1977 in the finance department of Ford Motor Company. Mr. Craig held a
  Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., and
  an MBA in Finance from the University of Kansas.
  
        Mr. Craig is survived by his wife Diana; three grown children, Kimberly
  Wine, Stephanie, and Jeffrey, and a grandson, Michael.
  
        New World is a leading company in the quick casual sandwich industry, the
  fastest-growing restaurant segment. The company operates locations primarily
  under the Einstein Bros and Noah's New York Bagels brands and primarily
  franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery
  brands. As of July 2, 2002, the company's retail system consisted of 458
  company-owned locations and 289 franchised and licensed locations in 34 states.
  The company also operates one dough production facility and one coffee roasting
  plant.
  
                                        ###
  
  Contact:
  --------
  
  Media/investors: Bill Parness, Parness & Associates, (732) 290-0121, or
  Martin Gitlin (914) 529-7702; parnespr@optionline.net