UNITED STATES

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): March 3, 2003

Commission File Number 33-72574

THE PANTRY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	56-1574463
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1801 Douglas Drive

Sanford, North Carolina 27330-1410

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (919) 774-6700

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure

On March 3, 2003, The Pantry, Inc. issued a press release relating to strategic branding and supply alliances entered into with BP Products, NA (BP(R)) and Citgo Petroleum Corporation (Citgo(R)). A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Document
99.1	Press Release issued on March 3, 2003.

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SIGNATURE

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.

THE PANTRY, INC.
By:	/s/    Daniel J. Kelly
	Daniel J. Kelly Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and   Assistant Secretary       (Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Date: March 3, 2003

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