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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

For the quarterly period ended March 21, 2004

or

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 001-10811

SMART & FINAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(323) 869-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨.

As of April 23, 2004, the registrant had outstanding 30,082,181 shares of common stock.

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SMART & FINAL INC.

Index

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Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this report, the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate” and similar expressions, together with other discussion of future trends or results, are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. All of these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by our management which, although believed to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict; therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon such statements. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from such statements due to known and unknown factors. The following important factors, among others, could cause our results of operations to be materially and adversely affected in future periods:

Many of these factors are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will not incur new or additional unforeseen costs in connection with the ongoing conduct of our business. Accordingly, any forward-looking statements included herein do not purport to be predictions of future events or circumstances and may not be realized. Additional information regarding these factors and other risks is included in “Item 1. Business - Risk Factors” in our 2003 Annual Report.

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SMART & FINAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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SMART & FINAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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SMART & FINAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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SMART & FINAL INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

Smart & Final Inc. is a Delaware corporation and, at March 21, 2004, was a 55.6 percent owned subsidiary of Casino USA, Inc. (“Casino USA”). References in this report to “we”, “our” and “us” are to Smart & Final Inc. and its subsidiaries, collectively.

Casino Guichard-Perrachon, S.A. (“Groupe Casino”), a publicly traded French joint stock limited liability company, is the principal shareholder of Casino USA. Collectively, Groupe Casino and its subsidiaries own approximately 58.6 percent of our common stock as of March 21, 2004.

The consolidated balance sheet as of March 21, 2004 and the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 and March 23, 2003 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consisted of normal recurring items necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, have been included.

Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Each fiscal year consists of twelve-week periods in the first, second and fourth quarters and a sixteen-week period in the third quarter. Our fiscal year 2004 consists of 53 weeks, with thirteen weeks in the fourth quarter.

Earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Earnings per common share, assuming dilution, includes the weighted average number of common stock equivalents outstanding related to stock options for 4,882,114 shares of common stock.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2003 Annual Report.

2. Discontinued Operations

During the second quarter of 2003, we announced the sale and divestiture of our Florida broadline foodservice operations and our Florida stores businesses (collectively, the “Florida Operations”), which was substantially completed during the third quarter of 2003. During the third quarter of 2003, we also announced and completed the sale of our broadline foodservice operations in northern California (the “Northern California Foodservice Operations”). We retained certain residual assets, liabilities and contingencies in conjunction with the sale transactions and divestitures of the Florida Operations and the Northern California Foodservice Operations. In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations and financial position of the Florida Operations and the Northern California Foodservice Operations separately as discontinued operations.

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The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations are presented in the consolidated balance sheets under the captions “Assets of discontinued operations” and “Liabilities of discontinued operations.” The underlying assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations for the periods presented are as follows, in thousands:

The following table sets forth the loss from the discontinued operations of each period presented by segment, as defined in Note 10 “Segment Reporting,” in thousands. Related interest expense and income tax benefit from the discontinued operations are included under Corporate.

Pre-tax loss from discontinued operations does not include an allocation of corporate overhead or costs.

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The following table sets forth the balances at the beginning of 2004, the activities during the twelve-week quarter ended March 21, 2004 and the remaining balances at March 21, 2004, related to certain reserves for exiting Florida Operations and Northern California Foodservice Operations, in thousands.

3. Litigation and Other Charges

During 2003, we recorded $13.8 million of pre-tax charges related to litigation reserves (discussed in Note 11 “Legal Actions”) and financing fees associated with the amendments and waivers of the financial covenants contained in the revolving bank credit facility and lease facility.

The remaining balance of these reserves at the beginning of 2004 was $11.0 million. Payments made and applied against the reserves were $7.9 million during the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 and the reserve balance at March 21, 2004 was $3.1 million. The remaining reserves balance is reflected in “Other accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.

4. Debt

Credit Agreement

In November 2001, we entered into a $175.0 million three-year senior secured revolving credit facility (“Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The Credit Agreement expires on November 30, 2004. At our option, the Credit Agreement can be used to support up to $15.0 million of commercial letters of credit. Availability under the Credit Agreement, as amended during the third quarter of 2003, is subject to a formula based on the value of eligible accounts receivable, inventory and real properties. Principal repayments may be required prior to the final maturity. Additionally, under certain conditions, pay-downs toward the facility are treated as permanent reductions to the amount committed. During 2003, we made pay-downs toward the Credit Agreement, primarily with the proceeds generated from the sale and divestiture of the Florida Operations and the Northern California Foodservice Operations. These pay-downs are treated as permanent reductions to the amount available. As a result, the remaining commitment under the Credit Agreement was $127.8 million at March 21, 2004. At March 21, 2004, $60.0 million of revolving loan and $5.6 million of letters of credit were outstanding and the remaining availability was $48.9 million. Interest for the Credit Agreement is at Eurodollar LIBOR or the administrative agent’s reference rate, plus designated amounts. Commitment fees are charged on the undrawn amounts at rates ranging between 0.30 percent to 0.50 percent. As of March 21, 2004, the six-month Eurodollar LIBOR rate was 1.15 percent.

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Lease Agreement

In November 2001, we entered into a five-year operating lease agreement (“Lease Agreement”) with a national banking association. Participants in the Lease Agreement structure include several banks and financing institutions as well as Casino USA. The total Casino USA participation of $33.2 million is presented as “Notes payable to affiliate” in our consolidated balance sheets at March 21, 2004 and December 28, 2003. The Lease Agreement as amended, with a value of $86.8 million and a composite interest rate of 9.07 percent, currently provides for the financing of two distribution facilities and 14 store locations, and additionally holds $14.4 million of available funds as of March 21, 2004. The $14.4 million of available funds was generated through the sale of a Florida distribution facility and a Florida store property during the process of sale and divestiture of the Florida Operations. As of March 21, 2004, the Lease Agreement was amended to allow these proceeds to be held by the real estate trust for future purchases of replacement properties. The Lease Agreement expires on November 30, 2006. At the end of the term, the Lease Agreement requires us to elect to purchase all the properties by a final payment of $86.4 million or sell all the properties to a third party. If the properties are sold to a third party and the aggregate sales price is less than $69.2 million, we are obligated to pay the difference of the aggregate sales price and $69.2 million.

The Lease Agreement is considered a variable interest entity and subject to consolidation under Financial Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” issued by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). We adopted the provisions of FIN No. 46 as of June 15, 2003 and therefore, the related long-term portion of notes payable was included in our consolidated balance sheets, under “Notes payable” and “Notes payable to affiliate”. The consolidated income statement for the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 included $0.3 million of depreciation and interest expenses in excess of rental income that would have been recorded under the former method, in the results from continuing operations before provision for income taxes. Had consolidation of this variable interest entity been effective for the twelve weeks ended March 23, 2003, the net-of-tax reduction to the operating results would have been $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

Collateral

Borrowings under both the Credit Agreement and the Lease Agreement are collateralized by a security interest in our receivables, inventory and owned properties.

Covenants

Both the Credit Agreement and the Lease Agreement contain various customary and restrictive covenants, including restrictions on cash dividends declared or paid and additional debt and capital expenditures, and require us to maintain certain fixed charge coverage ratios and other financial ratios under each agreement. The covenants do not require us to maintain a public debt rating or a certain liquidity level. We are currently in compliance with the amended covenants.

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The Credit Agreement expires on November 30, 2004, and accordingly, we have classified our obligation under the Credit Agreement as a current liability in our consolidated balance sheets. However, it is our intention to negotiate and enter into a new Credit Agreement prior to its expiration. The Lease Agreement expires on November 30, 2006, and our obligations under the Lease Agreement have been classified as long-term liabilities. We expect to remain in full compliance with the covenants through the expiration of the respective terms of the facilities.

Interest

Interest paid on our debt aggregated $4.1 million for the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 and $3.0 million for the twelve weeks ended March 23, 2003.

5. Retirement Benefit Plans and Postretirement and Postemployment Benefit Obligations

Defined benefit plans

We have a noncontributory pension plan covering substantially all full time employees. We fund this plan with annual contributions as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The components included in the net periodic benefit cost for the periods indicated are as follows, in thousands:

We previously disclosed in our 2003 Annual Report an expected contribution of $8.3 million to this plan in 2004. We did not make a contribution to the plan during the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 and continue to anticipate contributing $8.3 million to fund this plan in 2004.

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Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

We have in place a noncontributory supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”), which provides supplemental income payments for certain officers in retirement. The SERP was designed to provide for cost recovery through the purchase of life insurance policies on the lives of certain current and former executives. We are the sole owner and beneficiary of such policies. The components included in the net periodic benefit cost for the periods indicated are as follows, in thousands:

Postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations

We provide certain health care benefits for retired employees. Substantially all of our full time employees may become eligible for those benefits if they reach retirement age while still working for us. This postretirement health care plan is contributory with participants’ contributions adjusted annually. The plan limits benefits to the lesser of actual cost for the medical coverage selected or a defined dollar benefit based on years of service. In addition, on a postemployment basis, we provide certain disability-related benefits to our employees.

In January 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act).” FSP 106-1 permits a sponsor of a postretirement health care plan that provides a prescription drug benefit to make a one-time election to defer accounting for the effects of the Act. Regardless of whether a sponsor elects that deferral, FSP 106-1 requires certain disclosures pending further consideration of the underlying accounting issues. FSP 106-1 is effective for interim or annual financial statements of fiscal years ending after December 7, 2003. The election to defer accounting for the Act is a one-time election. The election must be made before net periodic postretirement benefit costs for the period that includes the Act’s enactment date are first included in reported financial information pursuant to the requirements of SFAS No. 106. In accordance with FSP 106-1, the effects of the Act are not reflected in the measurement of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy is pending and that guidance, when issued, could require us to change previously reported information.

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The components included in the postretirement benefit cost for the periods indicated are as follows, in thousands:

6. Derivatives

We have entered into an interest rate collar agreement with a major bank to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on floating rate debt. This agreement, expiring in November 2004, hedges principal amounts of an aggregate of $45 million and limits the effect of LIBOR fluctuations to interest rate ranges from 5.48 percent to 8.00 percent. This interest collar agreement is designed as a cash flow hedge and is considered fully effective. This agreement is marked to market every quarter, with the changes in fair value recorded as other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and any ineffective portion recorded to current earnings and included under “Interest expense, net” on our consolidated statements of income. The cumulative loss recorded to OCI as a result of net changes in the fair market value of this agreement was $1.7 million at the beginning of 2004 and $1.4 million at March 21, 2004. The increase in the fair value during the current reporting period is attributable to the reclassification of the ineffective portion from OCI to current earnings, partially offset by the impact of the slightly decreased market interest rates. The reclassification aggregated $0.5 million for the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 and $0.7 million for the twelve weeks ended March 23, 2003. We estimate that $1.4 million of net derivative losses included in OCI will be recognized in results of operations through the expiration of the agreement in November 2004.

7. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income was computed as follows, in thousands:

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See Note 6 “Derivatives” for the activities recorded to OCI due to changes in fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the reporting period.

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the functional currency for our Mexico operations has been the Mexican Peso. As such, foreign currency translation gains and losses are included in OCI.

8. Income Taxes

Smart & Final Inc. and Casino USA are parties to a tax sharing arrangement covering income tax obligations in the state of California. Under this arrangement, we make tax sharing payments to, or receive benefits from, Casino USA based upon pre-tax income or loss for financial reporting purposes adjusted for certain agreed upon items.

Tax payments made to governments and Casino USA for the periods indicated are as follows, in thousands:

9. Stock-Based Compensation

We have stock options granted to our employees under the Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan and both employees and members of our Board of Directors under the Stock Incentive Plan. We account for options under these plans using the intrinsic value method as allowed under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Disclosures of pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share are required under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which uses the fair value method as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.”

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The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

The following is the pro forma information had the fair value method under SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, been adopted, dollars in thousands except per share amounts:

The impact of applying SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, in this pro forma disclosure is not necessarily indicative of the effect on income in the future. SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, does not apply to awards granted prior to 1995. We anticipate making additional stock-based compensation awards in the future.

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10. Segment Reporting

Our two reportable segments have historically been Stores and Foodservice. The Stores segment provides food and related items in bulk sizes and quantities through non-membership grocery warehouse stores. The Foodservice distribution segment provided delivery of food, restaurant equipment and supplies to mainly restaurant customers. As described in Note 2 “Discontinued Operations”, we have completed the sale and divestiture of the Foodservice segment in Florida and northern California and have reported the operating results from these two units as discontinued operations. Corporate is comprised primarily of corporate expenses incidental to the activities of the reportable segments, the variable interest entity and rental income from Smart & Final stores and Smart & Final Mexico. Assets included under Corporate consist primarily of owned real estate, leasehold improvements and assets of the variable interest entity. Our 50 percent-owned joint venture in Mexico is reported on the equity basis of accounting. These reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They have been managed separately because each segment requires different technology and marketing strategies. We evaluate performance based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes, not including nonrecurring gains and losses.

The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our 2003 Annual Report.

The sales, profit or loss and other information of each segment are as follows, in thousands:

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11. Legal Actions

We have been named as a defendant in a suit filed on September 13, 2001 in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. This suit, Camacho vs. Smart & Final Inc., was filed by the plaintiff, on his behalf and on behalf of all other store managers and assistant managers in California, alleging that we misclassified the status of store managers and assistant managers in California as exempt employees for employment purposes. The action seeks to be classified as a “class action” and seeks unspecified monetary damages.

On February 24, 2003, following an extensive period of investigation and discovery, the plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. On May 2, 2003, we filed our opposing papers to plaintiff’s motion for class certification. We believe the merits of this action do not warrant class action status and we believe we have certain defenses to the claim.

We have been named as a defendant in a suit filed on April 7, 2003 in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. This suit, Perea vs. Smart & Final Inc., was filed by the plaintiff, on his behalf and on behalf of all other employees who participate in the commission program in California, alleging that we improperly calculated commission payments. The action seeks to be classified as a “class action” and seeks unspecified monetary damages. We believe the merits of this action do not warrant class action status and we believe we have certain defenses to the claim.

In September 2003, we entered into a tentative settlement agreement for the resolution of the Camacho and Perea actions. In October 2003, the court consolidated the Camacho and Perea actions and, on October 27, 2003, preliminarily approved the settlement and set a fairness hearing and final court certification of the settlement for January 13, 2004. This court date was subsequently deferred to February 24, 2004. The final approval hearing for the Camacho and Perea actions was heard and granted by the court on February 26, 2004. Under the terms of the settlement, we paid into the settlement fund $7.6 million in cash during the first quarter of 2004 and will issue $1.5 million in scrip redeemable at our Smart & Final stores. Plaintiff’s attorney fees, costs and administrative expenses will be paid from the settlement amount. In addition, we will pay our own attorney fees and certain other expenses. For the purposes of settlement only, we are not contesting the class action designation.

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We have been named as a defendant in a suit filed on May 24, 2001 in the Orange County Superior Court of the State of California. This suit, Olivas vs. Smart & Final Inc., was filed by the plaintiff and another former non-exempt store employee, on their behalf and on behalf of all non-exempt Smart & Final employees in California alleging that we failed to pay proper overtime and other compensation. The action seeks to be classified as a “class action” and seeks unspecified monetary damages. On August 9, 2001, we filed a general denial to these claims and asserted numerous defenses. A hearing on plaintiff’s motion for class certification was heard and certification as to nine sub-classes was granted on January 22, 2004. We are pursuing our legal remedies at both the appellate and trial court levels. We believe the merits of this action do not warrant class action status and we believe we have certain defenses to the claim.

In the second quarter of 2003, we recorded a litigation charge associated with our assessment of the ultimate resolution of the above-named actions. This charge was adjusted in the fourth quarter of 2003 to reflect our updated assessment of the ultimate resolution of the above-named actions. We did not make any adjustment to the litigation charge in the first quarter of 2004. See Note 3 “Litigation and Other Charges” for further discussion.

We are named as a defendant in a number of other lawsuits or are otherwise a party to certain litigation arising in the ordinary course from our operations. We do not believe that the ultimate determination of these other cases will either individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and our 2003 Annual Report. Our MD&A provides an overview of our results of operations for the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 as compared to the prior year quarter. This is followed by a discussion and analysis of our cash flows, capital requirements and financing activities. Lastly, we discuss new accounting pronouncements and critical accounting policies incorporated in our reported financial statements.

Each of our fiscal years consists of twelve-week periods in the first, second and fourth quarters of the fiscal year and a sixteen-week period in the third quarter.

Summary

Income from continuing operations was $6.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the twelve weeks ended March 23, 2003. We reported net income of $6.2 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004, compared to net income of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the twelve weeks ended March 23, 2003. The improvement was attributable to the increased net earnings from continuing operations and decreased loss from the discontinued operations.

Results of Operations

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, certain condensed consolidated statements of income data, expressed as a percentage of sales. Totals may not aggregate due to rounding.

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Comparison of Twelve Weeks Ended March 21, 2004 with Twelve Weeks Ended March 23, 2003.

Sales

Sales from continuing operations in first quarter 2004 were $423.5 million, an increase of 19.4 percent over first quarter 2003 sales of $354.6 million. First quarter 2004 comparable store sales increased by 18.9 percent, with sales continuing to benefit from the effect of the labor action against the three largest southern California retail supermarket chains. We estimate that approximately $40 million of the first quarter sales increase resulted from the labor action which was settled in late February 2004. We estimate that approximately 105 of our stores were favorably impacted by the labor action. During first quarter 2004, we opened one new store and as of March 21, 2004, we operated 220 stores compared to 219 continuing operations stores at March 23, 2003.

Gross margin

Gross margin from continuing operations increased $15.3 million or 26.5 percent, to $73.0 million for first quarter 2004 as compared to $57.7 million for first quarter 2003. The increase in gross margin was primarily related to the sharp increase in sales and to a lesser extent the effect of adopting a new accounting pronouncement described below as of June 15, 2003. As a percentage of sales, gross margin increased to 17.2 percent for first quarter 2004 compared to 16.3 percent for first quarter 2003. The increase resulted from improvement in inventory shrinkage rates, lower occupancy costs as a percentage of sales, and the effect of adopting the new accounting pronouncement.

As of end of second quarter 2003, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” which required the consolidation of our real estate synthetic lease facility not previously consolidated. As a result, we recorded approximately $1.8 million of costs as interest expense in the first quarter of 2004 that, prior to adoption, were recorded in cost of sales as rental expense. In addition, pursuant to FIN No. 46, we recorded in first quarter 2004 approximately $0.3 million of depreciation expense in cost of sales that previously was not recorded. When compared to first quarter 2003, the net effect of FIN No. 46 to first quarter 2004 was to increase the gross margin from continuing operations as a percentage of sales by 0.4 percent.

Operating and administrative expenses

Operating and administrative expenses from continuing operations increased $7.7 million or 15.3 percent to $58.1 million for first quarter 2004 as compared to $50.4 million for first quarter 2003. The increase was largely attributable to increased labor costs, fringe benefit and incentive compensation costs, information systems costs and legal expenses. As a percentage of sales, operating and administrative expenses decreased to 13.7 percent for the 2004 first quarter from 14.2 percent for the first quarter 2003. The decrease is primarily attributable to the sharp increase in sales realized during first quarter 2004.

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Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net increased to $3.7 million for first quarter 2004 as compared to $2.8 million for first quarter 2003. The increase was primarily due to the adoption of FIN No. 46 as discussed above, partially offset by lower interest expense from reduced average outstanding debt level. At the end of first quarter 2004, the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility was $60.0 million as compared to $124.8 million at the end of first quarter 2003, a year-to-year reduction of 51.9 percent.

Income tax provision

Income tax expense was $4.5 million for first quarter 2004 as compared to $1.8 million for first quarter 2003. The quarterly effective tax rate increased slightly to 40.0 percent in 2004 from 39.7 percent in 2003.

Equity earnings in unconsolidated subsidiary

Our 100-percent owned subsidiary, Smart & Final de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“Smart & Final Mexico”), is a Mexico holding company that owns 50 percent of a joint venture with the operators of the Calimax store chain. The joint venture operates ten stores in Mexico as a Mexican domestic corporation as of March 21, 2004. Our interest in the joint venture is not consolidated and is reported on the equity basis of accounting. During first quarter 2004, the equity loss from the joint venture was $0.1 million as compared to the minor earnings in first quarter 2003.

Discontinued operations

During the second quarter of 2003, we announced the sale and divestiture of our Florida broadline foodservice operations and our Florida stores businesses (collectively, the “Florida Operations”). During the third quarter of 2003, the transactions were completed and the Florida Operations were sold and divested. During the third quarter of 2003, we also announced and completed the sale of our broadline foodservice operations in northern California (the “Northern California Foodservice Operations”). We retained certain residual assets and liabilities in conjunction with the sale transactions and divestitures of the Florida Operations and the Northern California Foodservice Operations. In accordance with the provisions related to discontinued operations specified within Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations and financial position of the Florida Operations and the Northern California Foodservice Operations separately as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements and in the related discussions and comparisons between current and prior fiscal periods.

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The following is a summary of loss and other information of the discontinued operations for the periods presented, in thousands except per diluted share values. Totals of per diluted share values may not aggregate due to rounding.

Pre-tax loss from discontinued operations does not include allocation of corporate overhead or costs.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flows and financial positions

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2004, a decrease of $17.9 million compared to $18.6 million in the same quarter of 2003. The increase or decrease in cash provided by operating activities reflects our operating performance and the timing of receipts and disbursements. In first quarter 2004, we utilized cash to increase inventory levels to support the higher sales, funded the payment of a litigation settlement and paid certain 2003 performance-based compensation.

Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations was $2.5 million in first quarter 2004 compared to $4.6 million of net cash used in investing activities in first quarter 2003. The increase in first quarter 2004, as compared to the same quarter of 2003, was primarily due to the proceeds from the redemption of a certificate of deposit and sale of certain municipal bonds and increased proceeds from disposal of closed or relocated store properties.

Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing activities was $0.3 million in first quarter 2004 compared to $5.6 million of net cash used in financing activities in the first quarter of 2003. Net cash used in financing activities in first quarter 2003 primarily reflected payments on bank debt and capital leases.

At March 21, 2004, we had cash and cash equivalents of $51.9 million, stockholders’ equity of $220.8 million and debt, excluding capital leases, of $146.8 million. Our working capital was $32.9 million at March 21, 2004, compared to $13.2 million at December 28, 2003. Included in our current liabilities is a $60.0 million obligation under our bank credit facility, which we intend to restructure prior to its expiration in November 2004 (see discussion “Bank credit facility, lease facility and other financing activities” below.)

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Capital expenditure and other capital requirements

Our primary requirement for capital is the financing of the building, leasehold improvements, equipment and initial set-up expenditures for new, relocated and remodeled stores, investment in capitalized software and hardware as well as general working capital requirements.

During the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004, we opened one new store. New store growth and store remodeling are planned to continue in the remainder of 2004. We estimate that new capital expenditures, including investment in capitalized software, for 2004 will aggregate approximately $37 million. However, we cannot assure that these estimates will be realized and our capital program plans are subject to change upon our further review and may increase if opportunities develop.

We have various retirement plans, which subject us to various funding obligations. Our noncontributory pension plan covers substantially all of our full time employees. We fund this plan with contributions as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. We previously disclosed in our 2003 Annual Report an expected contribution of $8.3 million to this plan in 2004. We did not make a contribution to the plan during the twelve weeks ended March 21, 2004 and continue to anticipate contributing $8.3 million to fund this plan in 2004.

Bank credit facility, lease facility and other financing activities

In November 2001, we entered into a $175.0 million three-year senior secured revolving credit facility (“Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The Credit Agreement expires on November 30, 2004. At our option, the Credit Agreement can be used to support up to $15.0 million of commercial letters of credit. Availability under the Credit Agreement, as amended during the third quarter of 2003, is subject to a formula based on the value of eligible accounts receivable, inventory and real properties. Principal repayments may be required prior to the final maturity. Additionally, under certain conditions, pay-downs toward the facility are treated as permanent reductions to the amount committed. During 2003, we made pay-downs toward the Credit Agreement, primarily with the proceeds generated from the sale and divestiture of the Florida Operations and the Northern California Foodservice Operations. These pay-downs are treated as permanent reductions to the amount available. As a result, the remaining commitment under the Credit Agreement was $127.8 million at March 21, 2004. At March 21, 2004, $60.0 million of revolving loan and $5.6 million of letters of credit were outstanding and the remaining availability was $48.9 million. Interest for the Credit Agreement is at Eurodollar LIBOR or the administrative agent’s reference rate, plus designated amounts. Commitment fees are charged on the undrawn amounts at rates ranging between 0.30 percent to 0.50 percent. As of March 21, 2004, the six-month Eurodollar LIBOR rate was 1.15 percent.

In November 2001, we entered into a five-year operating lease agreement (“Lease Agreement”) with a national banking association. Participants in the Lease Agreement structure include several banks and financing institutions as well as Casino USA, which owned 55.6

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percent of our common stock at March 21, 2004. The total Casino USA participation of $33.2 million is presented as “Notes payable to affiliate” in our consolidated balance sheets at March 21, 2004 and December 28, 2003. The Lease Agreement as amended, with a value of $86.8 million and a composite interest rate of 9.07 percent, currently provides for the financing of two distribution facilities and 14 store locations, and additionally holds $14.4 million of available funds as of March 21, 2004. The $14.4 million of available funds was generated through the sale of a Florida distribution facility and a Florida store property during the process of sale and divestiture of the Florida Operations. As of March 21, 2004, the Lease Agreement was amended to allow these proceeds to be held by the real estate trust for future purchases of replacement properties. The Lease Agreement expires on November 30, 2006. At the end of the term, the Lease Agreement requires us to elect to purchase all the properties by a final payment of $86.4 million or sell all the properties to a third party. If the properties are sold to a third party and the aggregate sales price is less than $69.2 million, we are obligated to pay the difference of the aggregate sales price and $69.2 million.

Borrowings under both the Credit Agreement and the Lease Agreement are collateralized by a security interest in our receivables, inventory and owned properties.

Both the Credit Agreement and the Lease Agreement contain various customary and restrictive covenants, including restrictions on cash dividends declared or paid and additional debt and capital expenditures, and require us to maintain certain fixed charge coverage ratios and other financial ratios under each agreement. The covenants do not require us to maintain a public debt rating or a certain liquidity level. We are currently in compliance with the amended covenants.

The Credit Agreement expires on November 30, 2004, and accordingly, we have classified our obligation under the Credit Agreement as a current liability in our consolidated balance sheets. However, it is our intention to negotiate and enter into a new Credit Agreement prior to its expiration. The Lease Agreement expires on November 30, 2006, and our obligations under the Lease Agreement have been classified as long-term liabilities. We expect to remain in full compliance with the covenants through the expiration of the respective terms of the facilities.