Earl Scheib Announces Changes in the Board of Directors

    SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.--Dec. 13, 2002--The Board of Directors of Earl Scheib, Inc. (AMEX:ESH) (the "Company") announced today that it has accepted the resignation of Stuart D. Buchalter as Chairman and a member of the Company's Board of Directors; and has named Christian K. Bement, the Company's President & Chief Executive Officer, as the interim Chairman of the Board.
    The Company intends to evaluate its current Board make-up and memberships in light of recent changes in the law and proposed regulations and exchange rules regarding corporate governance and to make any changes it believes appropriate.
    Earl Scheib, Inc., founded in 1937, is a nationwide operator of 126 auto paint and body shops located in more than 100 cities throughout the United States.

    "Safe-Harbor" Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

    Certain written and oral statements made by the Company may be "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements made in this news release and in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "hope," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "will," "project," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements which generally are not historic in nature. All statements which address operating performance, events, developments or strategies that the Company expects or anticipates in the future are forward-looking statements.
    Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the Company's past experience or current expectations. The following are some of the risks and uncertainties that may impact the forward-looking statements: the impact of the Company's retail paint and body shop closures and operational restructuring, the effect of weather, the effect of economic conditions, the impact of competitive products, services, pricing capacity and supply constraints or difficulties, changes in laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the impact of advertising and promotional activities, the impact of the Company's expansion of its fleet services division, new product rollout and Quality Fleet and Truck Centers, commercial coatings business, the potential adverse effects of certain litigation, financing, insuring or lending constraints and the impact of various tax positions taken by the Company.