SANFORD, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 2006--The Pantry, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Shop-A-Snak Food Mart, Inc., of Birmingham, Alabama, which operates 38 convenience stores in Alabama. The acquisition also includes dealer and fuel supply arrangements for several additional stores. Privately held Shop-A-Snak Food Mart generated total revenues of approximately $123 million in 2005.

Peter J. Sodini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Pantry, commented, "We are pleased to announce this strategic acquisition, which exactly doubles the size of our Alabama store base and complements our existing market presence very well. Most of Shop-A-Snak's stores currently sell Exxon or Mobil gasoline brands and will be transferred to our branding and fuel supply agreement with ExxonMobil Oil Corporation. We expect this transaction to be immediately accretive to our earnings per share."

The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the Company's third fiscal quarter. The Company plans to finance the transaction with a combination of cash on hand and lease financing. Terms were not disclosed.

About The Pantry

Headquartered in Sanford, North Carolina, The Pantry, Inc. is the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States and one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country, with net sales for fiscal 2005 of approximately $4.4 billion. As of December 29, 2005, the Company operated 1,401 stores in eleven states under select banners including Kangaroo Express(SM), our primary operating banner, Golden Gallon(R), and Cowboys(SM). The Pantry's stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, as well as gasoline and other ancillary services designed to appeal to the convenience needs of its customers.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made by the Company in this press release relating to future plans, events, or financial performance are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current plans and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to vary materially from the results and events anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could affect actual results and events, including, without limitation: the ability of the Company to take advantage of expected synergies in connection with acquisitions; the actual operating results of stores acquired; the ability of the Company to integrate acquisitions into its operations; fluctuations in domestic and global petroleum and gasoline markets; changes in the competitive landscape of the convenience store industry, including gasoline stations and other non-traditional retailers located in the Company's markets; the effect of national and regional economic conditions on the convenience store industry and the markets we serve; the effect of regional weather conditions on customer traffic; financial difficulties of suppliers, including our principal suppliers of gas and merchandise, and their ability to continue to supply our stores; environmental risks associated with selling petroleum products; governmental regulations, including those regulating the environment; and acts of war or terrorist activity. These and other risk factors are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on the Company's estimates and plans as of March 2, 2006. While the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

    CONTACT: The Pantry, Inc.
             Dan Kelly, 919-774-6700

    SOURCE: The Pantry, Inc.