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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-10-002053.txt : 20100106
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-10-002053.hdr.sgml : 20100106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100106174718
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-10-002053
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100104
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100106
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100106

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:		10512774

	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:		8100 SW 10TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4000
		CITY:			FT. LAUDERDALE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9545810922

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 SW 10TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4000
		CITY:			FT. LAUDERDALE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33324
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c94384_4x0.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-04</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 STREET</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>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>X</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13320</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>88080</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>SPECIAL STOCK OPTION</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.37</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>X</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13320</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-11-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-07-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13320</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7320</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options granted under the Company's Special Stock Option Plan vest over an 8 year period in relatively equal amounts at approximately 16 month intervals.  The exercise price can be reduced and the vesting schedule can be accelerated by the optionee purchasing and maintaining ownership of shares of common stock and/or the Company achieving performance objectives as determined by the Board of Directors.  Based upon the maximum required ownership of common stock as provided in the Stock Option Agreement together with the Company achieving the performance targets previously established by the Board, the option can fully vest after approximately 54 months and the exercise price can be reduced to near the par value of the common stock ($.01 per share).  Reference is made to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended May 2, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Edward F. Knecht</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
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