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                       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 3, 1997
                                                ---------------------------------------------


                           FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS, INC.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                      OHIO
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         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

         1-7323                                        31-0523213
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(Commission File Number)                  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 2800 GILBERT AVENUE, CINCINNATI, OHIO                     45206
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(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

 Registrant's telephone number, including area code       513-961-2660
                                                   -----------------------------

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Item 5.    Other Events.

              See attached press release.


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For Immediate Release
October 3, 1997

Cincinnati, Ohio--Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. (American Stock Exchange:FRS)
announced today that its Annual Shareholders Meeting has been scheduled for
Monday, November 24, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard time, at the Quality
Hotel Riverview, 668 W. 5th Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011. The record date
for determining shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting
is the close of business on October 29, 1997.

The issues to be presented to the shareholders are: (1) to increase the size of
the board from eight to nine members, (2) to reelect the current directors whose
terms are expiring and one new director, and (3) to approve the appointment of
Grant Thornton LLP as the Company's independent auditors.

"During the year we were fortunate to be able to add Malcolm Knapp, one of the
country's leading experts in the restaurant industry, as a director," said Jack
Maier, the Chairman of the Board of Frisch's. He added, "Increasing the size of
the Board, without losing the experience of our current directors, continues our
program of providing the Company and its management with additional perspectives
from among our directors."

The current directors whose terms are expiring this year have been nominated for
reelection with the unanimous support of the Board. They are Craig F. Maier,
Daniel W. Geeding, Malcolm M. Knapp and Blanche F. Maier. The new director
candidate, also receiving the unanimous support of the Board, is Christopher B.
Hewett, President and Chief Executive Officer of Meritage Hospitality Group,
Inc.

Mr. Jack Maier said, "Mr. Hewett's experience as the CEO of both a hotel
owner/operator and restaurant chain owner is a good fit for our current Board's
needs." "I am personally gratified," added Mr. Maier, "that our Board has acted
cooperatively and without dissension in preparing for our upcoming shareholder
meeting."

Jerry L. Ruyan, a director elected at last year's shareholders' meeting, said
"We worked hard to create a balanced and experienced board that all of the
directors were comfortable in endorsing. In my opinion, the election of the five
candidates recommended by the Board will accomplish that goal."

Frisch's Restaurants, Inc., headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates and
licenses family restaurants, some with drive-thru service, under the name
Frisch's Big Boy. Additionally, the Company operates two Quality Hotels with
restaurants in metropolitan Cincinnati.

Company Contact:           Donald H. Walker
                           Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer
                           513-559-5202
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                                    SIGNATURE
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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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                                 FRISCH'S RESTAURANTS, INC.
                                                 --------------------------
                                                        (registrant)

DATE  October 8, 1997
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      October 8, 1997

                                                 BY /s/ DONALD H. WALKER
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                                                       Donald H. Walker
                                                 Vice President - Finance and
                                                  Principal Financial Officer