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<TITLE>Form S-8</TITLE>
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 <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>As filed with the Securities And Exchange Commission on October 15, 2002
</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>REGISTRATION NO. 333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE WIDTH="17%"
COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>FORM S-8 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>REGISTRATION
STATEMENT </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000"><B>UNDER </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000"><B>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE WIDTH="17%" COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000"><B>Garden Fresh Restaurant
Corp. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE WIDTH="17%"
COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center">
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>33-0028786</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>of
incorporation or organization)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="48%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(I.R.S. employer</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>identification
no.)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
 </TABLE> </DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>15822 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite A </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>San Diego, CA 92127 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Address of principal executive offices including Zip code)
</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE WIDTH="17%" COLOR="#000000"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000"><B>Garden Fresh Restaurant
Corp. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>1998 Stock Option Plan </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Full title of the plan)
</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>David W. Qualls </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
COLOR="#000000"><B>Chief Financial Officer and Secretary </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>15822 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite A </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>San Diego, CA 92127 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Name and address of agent for service) </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Telephone number, including area code, of
agent for service: (858) 675-1600 </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">This registration statement, including all exhibits, shall become effective in
accordance with Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center">
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="46%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Title of Securities</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>to be
Registered(1)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Amount</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>to be</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Registered(2)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Proposed</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Maximum</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Offering</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Price&nbsp;Per</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Share(3)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Proposed</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Maximum</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Aggregate</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Offering</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Price(3)</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Registration</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Fee</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="46%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. 1998 Stock Option Plan</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD> </TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="46%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Common Stock Par Value $0.01</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">500,000</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">$8.91</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">$4,455,000</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">$410</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="46%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">TOTALS</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">500,000</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">$8.91</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">$4,455,000</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="13%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">$410</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
 </TABLE> </DIV> <HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left">
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<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">1</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The securities to be registered include options to acquire Common Stock. </FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">2</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or
issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction. </FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">3</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The price is based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
Common Stock on October 14, 2002, as reported on The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System. </FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left">

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 <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>PART II </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item
3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B><I>Incorporation of Documents by Reference </I></B><B></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The following
documents filed by Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. (the &#147;Company&#148;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) are hereby incorporated by reference in this registration statement: </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K containing audited financial statements for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2001, filed on December 27, 2001. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2001, filed on February 14, 2002. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(3) The Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, filed on May 14, 2002. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial statements for the quarter
ended June 30, 2002, filed on August 9, 2002. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(5)&nbsp;&nbsp;All other reports filed pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 13(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since the end of the fiscal year covered by the document referenced in Section (1) above. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(6)&nbsp;&nbsp;The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in the Company&#146;s registration statement on Form 8-A, filed on April 14,
1995 under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(7)&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), subsequent to the date this registration
statement is filed with the Commission and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this registration statement and to be part of it from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B><I>Description of Securities </I></B><B></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The class of securities to be offered is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item
5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B><I>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel </I></B><B></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Not applicable.
</FONT></DIV>

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 <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B><I>Indemnification of Directors and Officers
</I></B><B></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Delaware law authorizes corporations to eliminate the personal liability of directors to
corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of the directors&#146; &#147;duty of care.&#148; While the relevant statute does not change directors&#146; duty of care, it enables corporations to limit
available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. The statute has no effect on directors&#146; duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, illegal
payment of dividends and approval of any transaction from which a director derives an improper personal benefit. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
COLOR="#000000">The Company has adopted provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation which eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of their duty of
care. The Bylaws of the Company provide for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and agents to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the Sate of Delaware, the Company&#146;s state of incorporation, including
those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary under Delaware Law. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for indemnification in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such
individuals, under certain circumstances, for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B><I>Exemption From Registration Claimed</I></B><B> </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
COLOR="#000000">Not applicable. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B><I>Exhibits </I></B><B></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">See Exhibit Index. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B><I>Undertakings </I></B><B></B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(a)<I>&nbsp;&nbsp;Rule
415 Offering</I> </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement: </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:8%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:8%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to </FONT></DIV>
 <P></P> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">2 </FONT></DIV>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <DIV STYLE="margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:8%; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement; <I>provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(l)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>Filings Incorporating Subsequent
Exchange Act Documents By Reference </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.<B></B> </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>Request For
Acceleration Of Effective Date Or Filing Of Registration Statement On Form S-8</I><B></B><I> </I></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></DIV>
 <P></P> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">3 </FONT></DIV>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>SIGNATURE </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 San Diego, California, on October 15, 2002. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="37%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">G<SMALL>ARDEN</SMALL> F<SMALL>RESH</SMALL> R<SMALL>ESTAURANT</SMALL> C<SMALL>ORP</SMALL>.</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="2%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">By:</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="37%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;M<SMALL>ICHAEL</SMALL> R. M<SMALL>ACK</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"></TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD> <FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="37%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Michael P. Mack</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer
and President</B></FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
 </TABLE> </DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The officers and directors of Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. whose signatures appear below, hereby constitute and appoint Michael P. Mack
their true and lawful attorney and agent, with full power of substitution, with power to sign and execute on behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this registration statement on Form S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby
ratify and confirm all that said attorney and agent, or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV STYLE="text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"
COLOR="#000000">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 indicated on October 15, 2002. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Signature</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE WIDTH="54" COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="center"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Title</B></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE WIDTH="25" COLOR="#000000"></TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;M<SMALL>ICHAEL</SMALL> P. M<SMALL>ACK</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Michael P. Mack</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></DIV>
</TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D<SMALL>AVID</SMALL> W. Q<SMALL>UALLS</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>David W. Qualls</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D<SMALL>AVID</SMALL> N<SMALL>IERENBERG</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>David Nierenberg</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Director</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E<SMALL>DGAR</SMALL> F. B<SMALL>ERNER</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Edgar F. Berner</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Director</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;J<SMALL>OHN</SMALL> M. R<SMALL>OBBINS</SMALL>, J<SMALL>R</SMALL>.</FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE
COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>John M. Robbins, Jr.</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Director</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;R<SMALL>OBERT</SMALL> A. G<SMALL>UNST</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Robert A. Gunst</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Director</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;M<SMALL>ICHAEL</SMALL> M. M<SMALL>INCHIN</SMALL></FONT></DIV> <HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"
ALIGN="left"><DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Michael M. Minchin</B></FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="50%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Director</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
 </TABLE> </DIV>
 <P></P> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">4 </FONT></DIV>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV> <DIV
ALIGN="center">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company&#146;s registration statement on Form S-8 filed June 16, 1995.</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The Company&#146;s Bylaws are incorporated by reference from the Exhibit with the corresponding number filed with the
Company&#146;s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 filed on April 19, 1995, Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed May 8, 1995 and Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1 filed on May 15, 1995.</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">The Rights Agreement between the Company and Equiserve Trust Company, N. A., dated as of February 15, 2001, is
incorporated by reference from the Company&#146;s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2001.</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Opinion of Gray Cary Ware &amp; Freidenrich LLP</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;23.1</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;23.2</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Consent of Independent Accountants</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="5"> </TD> </TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="6%"> <DIV><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;24.1</FONT></DIV> </TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="93%"> <DIV STYLE="margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this registration statement)</FONT></DIV> </TD> </TR>
 </TABLE> </DIV>
 <P></P>

 </BODY></HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "GARDEN FRESH RESTAURANT CORP /DE/", "cik": "0000942133", "assigned-sic": "5812", "irs-number": "330028786", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-100538", "film-number": "02788754"}, "business-address": {"street1": "17180 BERNARDO CENTER DR", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92128", "phone": "6196751600"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "17180 BERNADO CENTER DRIVE", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92128"}}
Form S-8
As filed with the Securities And Exchange Commission on October 15, 2002
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Garden Fresh Restaurant
Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
33-0028786
(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer
identification
no.)
15822 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92127
(Address of principal executive offices including Zip code)
Garden Fresh Restaurant
Corp.
1998 Stock Option Plan
(Full title of the plan)
David W. Qualls
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp.
15822 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92127
(Name and address of agent for service)
Telephone number, including area code, of
agent for service: (858) 675-1600
This registration statement, including all exhibits, shall become effective in
accordance with Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities
to be
Registered(1)
Amount
to be
Registered(2)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Share(3)
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(3)
Amount of
Registration
Fee
The Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. 1998 Stock Option Plan
Common Stock Par Value $0.01
500,000
$8.91
$4,455,000
$410
TOTALS
500,000
$8.91
$4,455,000
$410
1
The securities to be registered include options to acquire Common Stock.
2
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or
issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
3
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The price is based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
Common Stock on October 14, 2002, as reported on The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item
3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The following
documents filed by Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are hereby incorporated by reference in this registration statement:
(1)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K containing audited financial statements for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2001, filed on December 27, 2001.
(2)  The Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2001, filed on February 14, 2002.
(3) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, filed on May 14, 2002.
(4)  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial statements for the quarter
ended June 30, 2002, filed on August 9, 2002.
(5)  All other reports filed pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 13(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since the end of the fiscal year covered by the document referenced in Section (1) above.
(6)  The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Company's registration statement on Form 8-A, filed on April 14,
1995 under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
(7)  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), subsequent to the date this registration
statement is filed with the Commission and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this registration statement and to be part of it from the respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4.
Description of Securities
The class of securities to be offered is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Item
5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Delaware law authorizes corporations to eliminate the personal liability of directors to
corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of the directors' "duty of care." While the relevant statute does not change directors' duty of care, it enables corporations to limit
available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. The statute has no effect on directors' duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, illegal
payment of dividends and approval of any transaction from which a director derives an improper personal benefit.
The Company has adopted provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation which eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of their duty of
care. The Bylaws of the Company provide for indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and agents to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the Sate of Delaware, the Company's state of incorporation, including
those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary under Delaware Law. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides for indemnification in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such
individuals, under certain circumstances, for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.
Item 7.
Exemption From Registration Claimed
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
Item 9.
Undertakings
(a)
Rule
415 Offering
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement:
(i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act;
(ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
2
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(l)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)
Filings Incorporating Subsequent
Exchange Act Documents By Reference
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)
Request For
Acceleration Of Effective Date Or Filing Of Registration Statement On Form S-8
Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 San Diego, California, on October 15, 2002.
G
ARDEN
F
RESH
R
ESTAURANT
C
ORP
.
By:
/s/    M
ICHAEL
R. M
ACK
Michael P. Mack
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer
and President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The officers and directors of Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. whose signatures appear below, hereby constitute and appoint Michael P. Mack
their true and lawful attorney and agent, with full power of substitution, with power to sign and execute on behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this registration statement on Form S-8, and each of the undersigned does hereby
ratify and confirm all that said attorney and agent, or his substitutes, shall 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 indicated on October 15, 2002.
Signature
Title
/s/    M
ICHAEL
P. M
ACK
Michael P. Mack
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/    D
AVID
W. Q
UALLS
David W. Qualls
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/    D
AVID
N
IERENBERG
David Nierenberg
Director
/s/    E
DGAR
F. B
ERNER
Edgar F. Berner
Director
/s/    J
OHN
M. R
OBBINS
, J
R
.
John M. Robbins, Jr.
Director
/s/    R
OBERT
A. G
UNST
Robert A. Gunst
Director
/s/    M
ICHAEL
M. M
INCHIN
Michael M. Minchin
Director
4
EXHIBIT INDEX
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Company's registration statement on Form S-8 filed June 16, 1995.
4.2
The Company's Bylaws are incorporated by reference from the Exhibit with the corresponding number filed with the
Company's registration statement on Form S-1, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 filed on April 19, 1995, Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 filed May 8, 1995 and Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1 filed on May 15, 1995.
4.3
The Rights Agreement between the Company and Equiserve Trust Company, N. A., dated as of February 15, 2001, is
incorporated by reference from the Company's Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2001.
5.1
Opinion of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP
23.1
Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants
24.1
Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this registration statement)