Bowlin Travel Centers Reports Strong Results for Fiscal Year 2008 and Fourth Quarter

36th Consecutive Year of Profitability 


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 25  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc. (OTC:BWTL) (BULLETIN BOARD: BWTL)  today reported net sales from continuing operations for fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 were up 1.6% to $28.183 million from $27.751 million for fiscal year ended January 31, 2007. For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, Bowlin's net sales from continuing operations increased 3.5% to $6.575 million from $6.351 million in the same period of fiscal year 2007.

Earnings per share for the twelve-month period ended January 31, 2008 were $0.10 per basic and diluted share, compared to $0.13 per basic and diluted share for the twelve months ended January 31, 2007.  A loss of $0.03 per basic and diluted share was reported for the fourth quarter period ended January 31, 2008 compared to earnings per share of $0.05 per basic and diluted share in the same period of the prior year.

Michael L. Bowlin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Despite the adverse retail conditions that were part of our nation's slowing economy during Bowlin's fiscal 2008, I am pleased to report our 36th year of profitability.  Sales at our travel centers were affected by rising fuel prices in much the same manner as retail operations across the nation have been reporting.  Decreased traffic on the highways as a result of the higher fuel costs and periodic weather related conditions ultimately impacted our retail merchandise sales and food sales.  We nonetheless reported an increase in net sales for the quarter and twelve-month periods, offset by increases in the cost of goods sold and general and administrative expenses. We recorded the sale of one underperforming location during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 that added $549,000, net of taxes, to net income and increased our marketable securities cash position by $1.500 million.  Two other underperforming locations remain on the market for sale.

"The upgrades in our inventory systems will be ongoing in the coming fiscal year 2009, which is a major factor in controlling our cost of goods sold.  We will also continue our supervisory support programs for travel center management and our volume buying efforts that offer improvement in our margins," Bowlin stated.

The Company operates travel centers strategically located on major interstate highways that utilize co-branding agreements with national companies.  The Company's current operations are located in the Southwestern United States.

Visit our web site at:  http://www.bowlintc.com/

Certain statements contained herein with respect to factors which may affect future earnings, including management's beliefs and assumptions based on information currently available, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements that are not historical facts involve risks and uncertainties, and results could vary materially from the descriptions contained herein.  For more details on risk factors, see the company's annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   For Further Information Contact:
   Michael L. Bowlin, Chairman
   [phone]
   Rudy R. Miller, Chairman and CEO
   The Miller Group
   Investor Relations for the Company
   [phone]

                         FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW:





The following tables outline the company's financial results for fiscal 2008

                             and fiscal 2007.

            Condensed Balance Sheets and Statements of Income

                              BALANCE SHEET
                              (in thousands)

                                                    January 31,  January 31,
                                                       2008          2007
                                                     (Audited)     (Audited)
  Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                           $1,899        $2,308
  Marketable securities                                2,300           453
  Other current assets                                 4,047         4,171
           Total Current Assets                        8,246         6,932
  Property and equipment, net                          9,854         9,706
  Assets held for sale                                 1,123         2,559
  Other assets                                           638           809
           Total Assets                              $19,861       $20,006

  Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  Current liabilities                                 $1,540        $1,881
  Long-term debt                                       4,577         4,198
  Long-term debt of assets held for sale                   -           521
  Deferred income taxes                                  639           759
             Total Liabilities                         6,756         7,359

  Shareholders' equity                                13,105        12,647
  Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity         $19,861       $20,006



                      CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                (Audited)
             (in thousands, except share and per share data)

                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED     TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
                                      JANUARY 31,             JANUARY 31,
                                    2008        2007       2008        2007

  Net sales                       $6,575      $6,351    $28,183     $27,751
  Cost of goods sold              (4,735)     (4,381)   (19,670)    (18,910)
  General and administrative
   expenses                       (1,734)     (1,671)    (7,490)     (7,110)
  Depreciation and amortization     (207)       (195)      (801)       (758)
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations                       (101)        104        222         973
  Interest expense                   (76)        (80)      (374)       (336)
  Other non-operating income, net     81         129        377         383
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations before income taxes    (96)        153        225       1,020
  Income tax expense (benefit)        31         (63)      (103)       (413)
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations                        (65)         90        122         607
  Loss from discontinued operations  (50)        (59)      (213)       (204)
  Income from disposal of
   discontinued component net
   of income tax expense               -           -        549           -
  Unusual item                         -         201          -         201
  Net income (loss)                $(115)       $232       $458        $604

  Earnings (loss) per share:
  Basic and diluted; continuing
   operations                     $(0.02)      $0.06      $0.03       $0.17
  Basic and diluted;
   discontinued operations        $(0.01)     $(0.01)    $(0.05)     $(0.04)
  Basic and diluted, disposal of
   discontinued operations             -           -      $0.12           -
  Basic and diluted; net income   $(0.03)      $0.05      $0.10       $0.13

  Weighted average common
   shares outstanding          4,583,348    4,583,348  4,583,348  4,583,348


DATASOURCE: Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc.



CONTACT:  Michael L. Bowlin, Chairman of Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc.,

[phone]; or Rudy R. Miller, Investor Relations, Chairman and CEO of

The Miller Group, [phone], for Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc.

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