"Excluding fuel surcharge revenue and the revenue contribution from dedicated dry van services, a business which we exited last year, we experienced a 5.7% revenue growth benefiting from both higher yields and pricing in our refrigerated services and the impact of the new water services revenue on our logistics services," said Russell Stubbs, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our LTL business continues to benefit from improved demand and pricing, producing 7.5% growth, the best second quarter performance in five years."

During the second quarter of 2012, total operating expenses decreased $10.9 million, or 10.4%, to $94.1 million compared to $105.1 million during the second quarter of 2011, which yielded an operating ratio of 98.4 compared to a 103.7 for the same period in 2011. Fuel costs decreased $5.6 million and represented approximately half of the year-over-year cost savings. The reduction in fuel costs was related to fewer trucks in service, lower fuel prices, and increased fuel economy from a younger fleet.  Excluding fuel costs, operating costs decreased 6.7%, driven by decreases in deprecation, salaries and wages, as well as reduced maintenance costs.  Net of the impact of fuel on revenue and expenses, the company generated an operating ratio of 97.4 in the second quarter of 2012, compared to a 101.4 in the second quarter of 2011.

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For the six months ended June 30, 2012, total operating revenue decreased 5.1%, or $9.8 million, to $183.6 million compared to $193.4 million in the same period of 2011. Total operating revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, decreased 3.7% to $146.5 million from $152.1 million during the same period a year ago. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $4.6 million, compared to a net loss of $11.2 million in the same period of 2011. In the first six months of 2012, on a per share basis, the net loss equated to $0.26 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $0.64 per diluted share in the same period of 2011.

Strategic Plan Update

Updates on the key elements of its strategic plan to restore profitability during fiscal 2012 include:

• Exit low margin/ low return businesses - During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company completed the sale of 415 dry van trailers and 228 tractors and no longer provides dry van services via a dedicated fleet of dry van trailers.  This action removed a line of lower margin services, and lowered the average age of the fleet to 2.1 years during the first six months of 2012 from 2.8 years during the same period last year.  As a result, during the first six months of 2012, tractor maintenance expense was in line with our plan and fuel economy improved by approximately 5 percent.

• Reinvest in growth businesses - The Company began providing bulk tank water transportation services for the crude oil drilling industry during the fourth quarter of 2011.  "We are pleased with the results we are obtaining from this operation," said Mr. Stubbs, "After a slow start in the first quarter we are on track to achieve the earnings contribution goals set in our plan for this year."

• Improve operating efficiencies - Non-driver employee headcount at the end of the second quarter was 681, a 4.9% reduction from the same period a year ago.  The Company is on track to realize annualized cost savings of approximately $5 million as the result of its previously announced reduction in non-driver staffing levels.

• Improve yields in core temperature controlled business - The Company believes market conditions are improving in the Company's core refrigerated truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping markets. As a result, revenue per loaded mile has increased 7.0% during the first six months of 2012 and LTL shipments and revenue per hundredweight increased 8.4% and 4.7%, respectively.

Outlook

The Company expects that quarterly results will continue to improve throughout the year.   In addition, capital expenditures are not expected to exceed $1.0 million, net of proceeds from disposition, and cash flows are expected to remain positive throughout the balance of fiscal 2012. "The strategic initiatives that we have implemented are on track and yielding positive results.  We have posted our first quarter of profitability since the economic recession began and are well positioned to build on the progress we have made. Given the higher fixed cost nature of the LTL business, incremental contribution from even modest improvements in revenue can have a significant impact on our profitability and returns, which is evident in our improving results.  Combined with a growing contribution from our water transportation business, we are on track to restore the Company to profitability this year," said Russell Stubbs.

Conference Call

The Company plans to host a conference call on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (4:00 PM Central Time) to discuss its financial results for the first half of 2012 and review its strategic plan for returning to profitability. Parties interested in participating in the conference call may dial-in at (866) 757-6808. The conference call will be webcast and can be accessed at www.ffex.net.

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About FFEX

Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. is one of the leading temperature-controlled truckload and less-than-truckload carriers in the United States with core operations in the transport of temperature-controlled products and perishable goods including food, health care and confectionery products. Service is offered in over-the-road and intermodal modes for temperature-controlled truckload and less-than-truckload, as well as dry truckload on a non-dedicated fleet basis. We also provide bulk tank water transportation, brokerage/logistics and dedicated services to our customers. Additional information about Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. can be found at http://www.ffeinc.com. To join our email alert list, please click on the following link: http://financials.ffex.net/alerts.cfm. The Company's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select market under the symbol FFEX.

The Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3209

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, and may be identified by words such as "will", "could", "should", "believe", "expect", "intend", "plan", "schedule", "estimate", "project", and similar expressions. Those statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and change. Although our management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying such expectations not materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. Among the key factors that are not within our management's control and that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements are demand for the Company's services and products, and its ability to meet that demand, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, weather conditions and the general economy, the availability and cost of labor and owner-operators, the ability to negotiate favorably with lenders and lessors, the continued growth of hydraulic fracturing techniques for oil and gas drilling in West Texas, the effects of terrorism and war, the availability and cost of equipment, fuel and supplies, the market for previously-owned equipment, the impact of changes in the tax and regulatory environment in which the Company operates, operational risks and insurance, risks associated with the technologies and systems used and the other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given the volatility in fuel prices and the impact fuel surcharge revenues have on total operating revenues, we often make reference to total operating revenue excluding fuel surcharges to provide a more consistent basis for comparison of operating revenue without the impact of fluctuating fuel prices. Readers should review and consider these factors along with the various disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not assume, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking information.

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Assets		June 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,826			$	1,048
Accounts receivable, net			41,478				43,450
Tires on equipment in use, net			6,573				5,968
Equipment held for sale			2,282				3,437
Other current assets			9,031				7,868
Total current assets			61,190				61,771
Property and equipment, net			50,601				57,757
Deferred income taxes			1,009				1,009
Other assets			5,814				5,867
Total assets		$	118,614			$	126,404
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	26,441			$	30,339
Insurance and claims accruals			8,719				10,667
Accrued payroll and deferred compensation			3,802				4,047
Accrued liabilities			1,205				1,251
Current maturities of notes payable and capital lease obligations			2,027				1,936
Deferred income taxes			690				690
Total current liabilities			42,884				48,930
Borrowings under credit facility			24,259				19,888
Long-term notes payable and capital lease obligations			7,890				8,901
Insurance and claims accruals			5,083				5,783
Total liabilities			80,116				83,502
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, $1.50 par value per share; 75,000 shares authorized;
18,572 shares issued			27,858				27,858
Additional paid-in capital			666				427
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(63	)			(67	)
Retained earnings			16,994				21,572
Total common shareholders' equity			45,455				49,790
Treasury stock (988 and 980 shares), at cost			(6,957	)			(6,888	)
Total shareholders' equity			38,498				42,902
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	118,614			$	126,404

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Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations

(Unaudited and in thousands, except per-share amounts)

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The following table summarizes and compares the significant components of revenue and presents our operating ratio and revenue per truck per week for each of the three and six month periods ended June 30:   

 

 

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             The following table summarizes and compares selected statistical data relating to our freight operations for each of the three and six month periods ended June 30:

 

 

The following table summarizes and compares the makeup of our fleets between company-provided tractors and tractors provided by owner-operators as of June 30:

CONTACT: Frozen Food Express Industries, Inc.

         Russell Stubbs, President and CEO

         John Hickerson, EVP and COO

         John McManama, SVP and CFO

         (214) 630-8090

         Dave Mossberg, Investor Relations

         Three Part Advisors, LLC

         817 310-0051