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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 30, 2003

OR

For the transition from            to

Commission file number 001-13222

STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.

As of May 13, 2003, there were issued and outstanding
38,301 shares of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MARCH 30, 2003

INDEX

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

ASSETS

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share and share amounts)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share and share amounts)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
MARCH 30, 2003

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

     In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries as of September 29, 2002 and March 30, 2003 and the results of its operations and cash flows for the twenty-six and thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2002 and March 30, 2003. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report filed on Form 10-K. The operating results for the twenty-six and thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.

Note 2 - Income Taxes

     The provision for income taxes for the twenty-six weeks ended March 31, 2002 and March 30, 2003 consists of the following:

Note 3 - Unconsolidated Affiliate

     The Company owns 50% of Santee Dairies LLC. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Santee Dairies, Inc. (“Santee”), it operates a fluid milk processing plant located in City of Industry, California, and the Company is not the controlling stockholder. Accordingly, the Company accounts for its investment in Santee using the equity method of accounting and recognized income of $2.0 million and $1.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 31, 2002 and March 30, 2003, respectively. The Company is a significant customer of Santee, which supplies the Company with a substantial portion of its fluid milk and dairy products.

Summary of unaudited financial information for Santee is as follows:

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
MARCH 30, 2003

Note 4 - Reclassifications

     Certain amounts in the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statements presentation.

Note 5 - Use of Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that effect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 6 - Stock Redemption

     During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company obtained consent of the holders of its 10.75% Senior Notes due 2006 to make a distribution and payment to stockholders consisting of $25.0 million in cash and a subordinated note in the principal amount of $20.0 million. On January 22, 2002, the Company redeemed 11,699 shares of the Company’s stock previously held by La Cadena Investments and made a cash payment of $20.0 million and executed a $20.0 million subordinated note due March 31, 2007 to a former partner of La Cadena Investments. The subordinated note bears interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum, payable semi-annually. On February 1, 2002, the Company paid a $4.5 million dividend to La Cadena Investments. Fees for consent of the holders of its 10.75% Senior Notes and fees and expenses of the transaction, including a $500,000 financial advisory service fee to La Cadena Investments, were approximately $5.0 million.

Note 7 – Redemption of Notes

     During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company redeemed $250,000 of its 10.75% Senior Notes due 2006. The Notes were restricted and unregistered. The Notes were redeemed for $250,000 plus accrued interest.

Note 8 – Long-Lived Assets

     Financial Accounting Standards Board Statements No. 144 (“SFAS No. 144”), “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” became effective for the Company on September 30, 2002. This standard replaces SFAS No. 121 and APB No. 30 and amends APB No. 51. Adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. As part of the adoption of this standard, assets previously classified as “Properties held for sale” on the consolidated balance sheets were reclassified to “Property and equipment”.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MARCH 30, 2003

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (contd.)

			CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
			The Company’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of estimates and judgements on the part of management. The Company based its estimates on the Company’s historical experience combined with management’s understanding of current facts and circumstances. The Company believes that the following critical accounting policies are the most important to the Company’s financial statement presentation and require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgements on the part of management.
			Vendor Rebates and Allowances
			The Company receives certain rebates and allowances (“allowances”) from its vendors. The Company recognizes these allowances as a reduction in cost of goods sold as the allowances are earned. These allowances are earned by promoting certain products or by purchasing specified amounts of product. The Company records a liability for allowance funds that have been received but not yet earned.
			Self-Insurance
			The Company is primarily self-insured, subject to certain retention levels for workers’ compensation, automobile and general liability costs. The Company records its self-insurance liability based on the claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. The estimates used by management are based on the Company’s historical experiences as well as current facts and circumstances. The Company uses third party actuarial analysis in making its estimates. Actuarial projections and the Company’s estimate of ultimate losses are subject to a high degree of variability. The variability in the projections and estimates are subject to, but not limited to, such factors as judicial and administrative rulings, legislative actions, and changes in compensation benefits structure. In recent years, the Company and employers within the State of California as a whole have seen significant increases in the severity of workers’ compensation claims. While the Company has factored these increases into its estimates of ultimate loss, no assurance can be given that future events will not require a change in these estimates. The Company discounts its workers’ compensation, automobile and general liability insurance reserves at a discount rate of approximately 7.5%.
			Inventories
			Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Management believes that its inventory turns and inventory controls are sufficient and that reserves are not needed for excess, obsolete or discontinued inventory.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			Investment in Affiliate
			The Company owns 50% of Santee. The Company is not the controlling stockholder and accordingly accounts for its investment using the equity method of accounting.
			Deferred Debt Issuance Costs
			Direct costs incurred as a result of financing transactions are capitalized and amortized to expense over the term of the applicable debt agreement.
			Deferred Taxes
			Although there can be no assurances as to future taxable income of the Company, the Company believes that its expectations of future taxable income, when combined with the income taxes paid in prior years, will be adequate to realize its deferred tax assets.
			Phantom Stock Plan
			It is the Company’s policy to expense phantom stock units to the extent that they vest and appreciate during the accounting period.
			OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY
			La Cadena Investments (“La Cadena”) is the sole shareholder of the Company and holds all of the shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. La Cadena is a California General Partnership whose partners include Jack H. Brown, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a former member of senior management of the Company. Jack H. Brown has a majority interest in La Cadena and is the managing general partner with the power to vote the shares of the Company held by La Cadena.
			RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
			The following table sets forth certain income statement components expressed as a percent of sales for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended March 30, 2003 and March 31, 2002.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (contd.)
			Total sales for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2003, the second quarter of fiscal 2003, increased 3.51% and amounted to $677.2 million compared to $654.2 million for the same period in the prior year. Total sales for the twenty-six weeks ended March 30, 2003, increased 3.18% and amounted to $1.359 billion compared to $1.317 billion for the same period in the prior year. The increase in total sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 and fiscal year to date of 2003 was due primarily to favorable customer response to the Company’s marketing plan, which emphasizes high quality, large product selections and customer service. Like store sales increased 2.99% and 2.64% for the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended March 30, 2003, respectively. The Company operated 156 supermarkets at March 30, 2003 and 155 supermarkets at March 31, 2002.
			Gross profit for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2003, amounted to $186.8 million or 27.58% of sales compared to $172.8 million or 26.42% of sales in the same period of the prior year. Gross profit for the twenty-six weeks ended March 30, 2003, amounted to $370.4 million or 27.26% of sales compared to $349.0 million or 26.50% of sales in the same period of the prior year. The increase in gross profit, as a percentage of sales, in both the second quarter of 2003 and for the fiscal year to date of 2003, was due primarily to an increase in the sales of higher margin items.
			Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization. For the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2003, selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to $159.1 million or 23.49% of sales compared to $145.7 million or 22.27% of sales for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2002. For the twenty-six weeks ended March 30, 2003, selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to $317.1 million or 23.34% of sales compared to $295.6 million or 22.45% of sales for the twenty-six weeks ended March 31, 2002. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2003 and for the year to date of fiscal 2003, was due primarily to increases in payroll related expenses.
			Depreciation and amortization expenses amounted to $8.3 million and $16.4 million for the second quarter and year to date periods ended March 30, 2003, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expenses amounted to $7.7 million and $15.2 million for the quarter and year to date periods of the prior year. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense in fiscal 2003 was primarily due to the increase in fixed assets.
			Operating profit for the second quarter of 2003 amounted to $19.4 million or 2.87% of sales compared to $19.5 million or 2.98% of sales for the second quarter of 2002. Operating profit for the fiscal year to date of 2003 amounted to $36.8 million or 2.71% of sales compared to $38.2 million or 2.90% of sales for the fiscal year to date of 2002.
			Interest expense amounted to $13.3 million for the second quarter of 2003 compared to $13.2 million for the second quarter of 2002. For the fiscal year to date of 2003 and 2002, interest expense amounted to $26.6 million and $26.0 million, respectively. The increase in interest expense over the prior year was primarily due to the issuance of a $20.0 million subordinated note in connection with the redemption of the Company’s stock.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (contd.)
			The Company’s equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliate, amounted to $233,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to $1.4 million in the second quarter of the prior year. For the fiscal year to date periods of 2003 and 2002, the Company’s equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliate amounted to $1.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The difference in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliate for both the quarter and year to date fiscal 2003 versus fiscal 2002, is due primarily to the revaluation, by the affiliate in fiscal 2002, of deferred tax benefits arising from past net operating losses.
			Income before income taxes amounted to $6.4 million and $7.3 million for the second quarter of 2003 and 2002, respectively. Income before income taxes amounted to $11.2 million and $13.9 million for the twenty-six weeks year to date periods of 2003 and 2002, respectively.
			Net income for the second quarter amounted to $3.8 million and $4.3 million for 2003 and 2002, respectively. Net income for the fiscal year to date periods amounted to $6.8 million and $8.2 million for 2003 and 2002, respectively.
			LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
			The Company historically has funded its daily cash flow requirements through funds provided by operations and through borrowings from short-term revolving credit facilities. The Company’s credit agreement, as amended, became effective August 6, 1999 and expires in March 2005 and consists of a revolving loan facility for working capital of $75.0 million which includes a Letter of Credit Sublimit with a maximum availability of $50 million. As of March 30, 2003, the Company had $48.5 million of outstanding letters of credit and had $26.5 million available under the revolving loan facility. The letter of credit facility is maintained pursuant to the Company’s workers’ compensation and general liability self-insurance requirements and as security for certain rent obligations.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (contd.)
			The following table sets forth the Company’s contractual cash obligations and commercial commitments as of March 30, 2003.

			(1)   The Company leases the majority of its retail stores, offices, warehouses and distribution facilities. Certain leases provide for additional rents based on sales. Primary lease terms range from 10 to 99 years and substantially all leases provide for renewal options.
			(2)   Standby letters of credit are committed as security for workers’ compensation obligations and as security for certain rent obligations. Outstanding letters of credit expire between June 2003 and March 2004.
			Working capital amounted to $123.9 million at March 30, 2003 and $119.6 million at September 29, 2002, and the Company’s current ratios were 1.64:1, and 1.62:1, respectively. Fluctuations in working capital and current ratios are not unusual in the industry.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (contd.)
			Net cash provided by operating activities in the twenty-six weeks ended March 30, 2003 amounted to $43.1 million compared to $25.7 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 31, 2002. Fluctuations in net cash provided by operating activities are not unusual in the industry. Cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2003 consisted of a $6.3 million increase in accrued liabilities, self-insurance reserves and other liabilities, a decrease of $6.2 million in income tax receivables, a decrease of $5.7 million in inventory, a decrease in receivables of $2.8 million, a decrease in other assets of $1.7 million and $16.4 million of depreciation offset by an increase in prepaid expenses of $1.6 million. Cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2002 consisted of a $10.7 million increase in accrued liabilities, self-insurance reserves and other liabilities, a decrease of $4.4 million in inventory, a $1.3 million loss on disposal of assets, and $15.2 million of depreciation offset by a decrease in accounts payable of $9.7 million, an undistributed gain in investment in unconsolidated affiliate of $2.0 million and an increase in prepaid expenses of $2.0 million.
			Net cash used in investing activities for the twenty-six weeks ended March 30, 2003, amounted to $24.7 million compared to $22.2 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 31, 2002. The difference in net cash used in investing activities between the comparable periods is due to the Company’s capital expenditures during such periods, net of proceeds from asset disposals.
			Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $580,000 and $30.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended March 30, 2003 and March 31, 2002, respectively. The $580,000 used in financing activities in fiscal 2003 was for principal payments on capital lease obligations. The $30.5 million cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2002 included the redemption of 11,699 shares of the Company’s stock previously held by La Cadena, for $20 million in cash and the issuance of a $20.0 million subordinated note, which bears interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum, payable semi-annually; $4.5 million for the payment of a dividend to La Cadena; and fees of approximately $5.0 million for the consent of the holders of its 10.75% Senior Notes and fees and expenses of the transaction, including a $500,000 financial advisory service fee to La Cadena. The Company redeemed $250,000 of its 10.75% Senior Notes due 2006 for $250,000 plus accrued interest. These Notes were restricted and unregistered. The remaining financing activities in the current and prior year were for principal payment of long-term debt and payments on capital lease obligations.
			The Credit Facilities
			The Company’s principal operating subsidiary, Stater Bros. Markets, signed a credit facility with Bank of America N.A. on August 6, 1999, and subsequently signed the First Amendment dated September 15, 2000, the Second Amendment dated December 13, 2001, the Third Amendment dated January 18, 2002 and the Fourth Amendment dated February 4, 2003. The current provisions of the original credit agreement and subsequent amendments are collectively referred to herein as “the credit facility”. The credit facility provides for (i) a $75.0 million revolving loan facility and (ii) a “Letter of Credit Sublimit” which is defined as an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Revolving Loan Commitment and (b) $50,000,000. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Loan Commitment. Borrowings under the revolving loan facility are unsecured and expected to be used for certain working capital and corporate purposes. Letters of credit under the letter of credit facility are expected to be used to support obligations incurred in connection with the construction of stores, workers’ compensation insurance obligations and as security for certain rent obligations.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			The Credit Facilities (contd.)
			The availability of the loans and letters of credit are subject to certain sublimits and other borrowing restrictions. Indebtedness of Stater Bros. Markets under the credit facility is guaranteed by Stater Bros. Development, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, and any subsidiaries that Stater Bros. Markets or Stater Bros. Development, Inc. acquires or forms after the date of the credit facility.
			Loans under the credit facility bear interest at a rate based upon either (i) the “Base Rate” (defined as the higher of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (b) the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America as its “reference rate”), plus 1.00%, or (ii) the “Offshore Rate” (defined as the average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in dollars, adjusted for the maximum reserve requirement for Eurocurrency funding), plus 1.75%. For Offshore Rate Loans, the Offshore Rate will be applied in consecutive periods of the earlier of (a) the maturity date of the loan or (b) periods, as selected by Stater Bros. Markets of one, two, three or six months.
			The revolving loan facility will cease to be available and will be payable in full on March 31, 2005. Letters of credit under the credit facility can be issued until March 31, 2006. The loans under the revolving loan facility must be repaid for a period of ten consecutive days semi-annually.
			Loans under the revolving loan facility may be repaid and re-borrowed. The loans under the revolving loan facility may be prepaid at any time without penalty, subject to certain minimums and payment of any breakage and re-deployment costs in the case of loans based on the offshore rate. The commitments under the credit facility may be reduced by Stater Bros. Markets. Stater Bros. Markets will be required to pay a commitment fee equal to 0.25% per annum on the actual daily unused portion of the revolving loan facility and the letter of credit facility, payable quarterly in arrears. Outstanding letters of credit under the credit facility are subject to a fee of 1.25% per annum on the face amount of such letters of credit, payable quarterly in arrears. Stater Bros. Markets will be required to pay standard fees charged by Bank of America with respect to the issuance, negotiation, and amendment of commercial letters of credit issued under the letter of credit facility.
			Availability of the loans and letters of credit under the credit facility is subject to a monthly borrowing base test based on inventory. The credit facility requires Stater Bros. Markets to meet certain financial tests, including minimum net worth and minimum EBITDA tests. The credit facility contains covenants which, among other things, will limit indebtedness, liens, guarantee obligations, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, asset sales, leases, investments, loans and advances, transactions with affiliates, sale and leasebacks, other matters customarily restricted in such agreements and modifications to the holding company status of the Company.
			The credit facility also contains covenants that apply to the Company and the Company is a party to the credit facility for purposes of these covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit dividends and other payments in respect of the Company’s capital stock, prepayments and redemptions of the exchange notes and other debt, and limit indebtedness, investments, loans and advances by the Company.
			The credit facility requires the Company and Stater Bros. Markets to comply with certain covenants intended to ensure that their legal identities remain separate.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			The Credit Facilities (contd.)
			The credit facility contains customary events of default, including payment defaults; material inaccuracies in representations and warranties; covenant defaults; cross-defaults to certain other indebtedness; certain bankruptcy events; certain ERISA events; judgments; defaults; invalidity of any guaranty; failure of Jack H. Brown to be Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stater Bros. Markets; and change of control.
			As of March 30, 2003, for purposes of the credit facility with Bank of America, both Stater Bros. Markets and the Company were in compliance with all restrictive covenants.
			The Company is also subject to certain covenants associated with its 10.75% Senior Notes due 2006. As of March 30, 2003, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve the expected operating results or implement the capital expenditure strategy upon which future compliance with such covenants is based.
			Labor Relations
			The Company and other major supermarket employers in Southern California negotiated a four-year contract, beginning October 1999 and expiring in October 2003, with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. The Company’s collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters was renewed in September 2002 and expires in September 2005. Management believes it has good relations with its employees.
			EFFECT OF INFLATION AND COMPETITION
			The Company’s performance is affected by inflation. In recent years the impact of inflation on the operations of the Company has been moderate. As inflation has increased expenses, the Company has recovered, to the extent permitted by competition, the increase in expenses by increasing prices over time. However, the economic and competitive environment in Southern California continues to challenge the Company to become more cost efficient as its ability to recover increases in expenses through price increases is diminished. The future results of operations of the Company will depend upon the ability of the Company to adapt to the current economic environment as well as the current competitive conditions.
			The Company conducts business in one industry segment, the operation of retail food supermarkets, which offer for sale to the public most merchandise typically found in supermarkets. The supermarket industry is highly competitive and is characterized by low profit margins. The Company’s primary competitors include Vons, Albertson’s, Ralphs and a number of independent supermarket operators. Competitive factors typically include the price, quality and selection of products offered for sale, customer service, and the convenience and location of retail facilities. The Company monitors competitive activity and Senior Management regularly reviews the Company’s marketing and business strategy and periodically adjusts them to adapt to changes in the Company’s primary trading area.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

			CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF “SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS” OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995.
			The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Certain information contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Company) includes statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future activities. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to domestic economic conditions, seasonal and weather fluctuations, expansion and other activities of competitors, changes in federal or state laws and the administration of such laws and the general condition of the economy.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not Applicable.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Within the past 90 days, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have each concluded that those controls and procedures were effective in making known to them, on a timely basis, the material information needed for the preparation of this Report on Form 10-Q. There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those internal controls since the date of their evaluation, nor did they find any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that would have required corrective actions to be taken with respect to those controls.

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
MARCH 30, 2003

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

			Various legal actions and claims are pending against the Company in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management and its general legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of such pending legal actions and claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or its results of operations.
			For a description of legal proceedings, please refer to the footnote entitled “Litigation Matters” contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2002.

Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)		Exhibits
		99.3 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(b)		Reports on Form 8-K
		None

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STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 (a) OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, Jack H. Brown, certify that:

1.		I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Stater Bros. Holdings Inc.;
2.		Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.		Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a)		designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
b)		evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
c)		presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)		all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b)		any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and
6.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 13, 2003

/s/ Jack H. Brown

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CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 (a) OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, Phillip J. Smith, certify that:

1.		I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Stater Bros. Holdings Inc.;
2.		Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.		Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a)		designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
b)		evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
c)		presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)		all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b)		any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and
6.		The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.