Santa Fe Holding Company Revenue up Over 60% in 2008

BRENTWOOD, TN--(Marketwire - February 3, 2009) - Santa Fe Holding Co., Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SFHD), the parent company of Santa Fe Cattle Co., announced today that preliminary total sales for fiscal year 2008 which ended December 30, 2008 was up over 60% from the previous year. Santa Fe Holding Co. is a restaurant holding company which currently owns and operates 30 Santa Fe Cattle Co. restaurants located throughout 7 states.

Year end revenue for 2008 totaled $53,334,260 compared to last year's $33.9 million up over 60% from the previous year. This was the fifth year in a row of record sales growth for Santa Fe. "While it will be a few weeks before our final numbers are tallied, we are very excited about our company's continued strong, consistent growth," announced Danny York, Chairman of the company. Mr. York went on to state, "EBITDAR should be over $8.9 million dollars, an increase of 91% from the previous year when our final numbers come in." Santa Fe Cattle Co. opened a record 9 new stores in 2008. Mr. York went on to say, "We expect 2009 to be another banner year for us as we plan to open 10 new stores and expect revenue to again increase by over 60%. We recently opened two new restaurants last week and have 3 stores under construction and will open our 31st store next month in Glenpool, OK." Mr. York also noted that the seven additional locations slated for 2009 are all under contract and will start construction in the next 90-180 days.

Santa Fe will be providing a letter from the Chairman to all investors in the next few weeks to review all of the positive developments within the company and review the company's strategies for 2009.

Investors can learn more about the company, the food, store locations, and future restaurant sites on our website: www.santafecattle.com.

About Santa Fe Holding Co.

Publicly traded Santa Fe Holding Company (PINKSHEETS: SFHD), of Brentwood, Tenn., operates Santa Fe Cattle Co., one of the nation's fastest growing casual dining "roadhouse" steak restaurant chains. Started in 1996, it provides customers with a unique blend of perfectly aged USDA Choice steaks, ribs, fajitas, Texas Hill Country-influenced homemade sauces and dressings, and mouth-watering Chuck Wagon favorites developed exclusively for the company. Each restaurant's distinctive signature decor includes a Big Ass Fan, which can be seen on their website at www.bigassfans.com. This unique atmosphere creates a fun, nostalgic, down-home, family-oriented atmosphere reminiscent of the Old West with simply awesome food, amazingly friendly service -- all at a reasonable price. For more information, visit: www.santafecattle.com.

Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Statements in this news release looking forward in time involve risks and uncertainties, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions, trends in the markets, variations in the company's cash flow, competition, availability and cost of materials and labor and suitable real estate locations, and other risk factors.

To receive email updates on Santa Fe Holding Co. financials, news and events, please send an email with your first and last name, phone number, firm name and the subject: "SFHD email update request" to investorrelations@santafecattle.com.