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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-09-019211.txt : 20090401
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-09-019211.hdr.sgml : 20090401
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090401161342
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-09-019211
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090330
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090401
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090401

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Knecht Edward F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001303702

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14170
		FILM NUMBER:		09723535

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE, BUILDING A,
		STREET 2:		4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			PLANTATION
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000069891
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BOTTLED & CANNED SOFT DRINKS CARBONATED WATERS [2086]
		IRS NUMBER:				592605822
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING A 4TH FLOOR
		CITY:			FORT LAUDERDALE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3055810922

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 NORTH UNIVERSITY DR
		CITY:			PLANTATION
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c83328_4x0.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
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    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

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    <periodOfReport>2009-03-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000069891</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL BEVERAGE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FIZZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001303702</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Knecht Edward F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8100 SW 10TH ST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 4000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLANTATION</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33324</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive VP - Procurement</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.01</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
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            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionDate>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>120</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.01</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-01-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-01-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            </expirationDate>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Under the Company's Key Employee Equity Partnership Program (&quot;KEEP&quot;), participants receive a grant of KEEP options equal to 50% of the number of shares of National Beverage Corp. common stock purchased in the open market, up to a maximum of 6,000 shares in any two year period. KEEP options are granted at an initial exercise price of sixty percent of the purchase price of the shares acquired, and reduce to the par value of the Company's common stock at the end of the six year vesting period. Reference is made to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended May 3, 2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Edward F. Knecht</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----