Transaction in Own Shares

Whitbread PLC
15 January 2007


Whitbread PLC

15 January 2007

Transaction in Own Shares

Initial Purchase of C Shares

The terms of the Return of Cash approved by Shareholders on 18 December 2006
enables Shareholders to sell some or all of their C Shares at 159 pence per C
Share, free of all dealing expenses and commissions, through the Initial
Purchase Offer made by Deutsche Bank. Elections to accept the Initial Purchase
Offer were received in respect of 92,531,681 C Shares, representing
approximately 42 per cent. of the C Shares. These C Shares have been purchased
by the Company from Deutsche Bank for an amount equal to 159 pence per C Share
plus an amount equal to the total stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax paid by
Deutsche Bank in respect of its purchase of C Shares and will be cancelled by
Whitbread after purchase.

The remaining 127,585,135 C Shares, representing approximately 58 per cent. of
the C Shares arising pursuant to the Capital Reorganisation, will continue to be
in issue.

Terms defined in the Circular to Shareholders dated 24 November 2006 have the
same meaning when used this announcement.

For further information:

Anna Glover - Corporate Communications Director - Tel:   [phone]

Christopher Rogers - Group Finance Director - Tel:   [phone]

Whitbread PLC is one of the UK's leading hospitality companies, managing
businesses in the budget hotels, restaurant and health & fitness sectors,
including Premier Travel Inn, Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Costa and David Lloyd
Leisure.

Whitbread's strategy is to create value for our shareholders by focusing
investment and growing in expanding sectors of the hospitality industry,
primarily in the UK but also in selected overseas markets.

In the financial year to March 2, 2006, Whitbread generated pre-tax,
pre-exceptional profit of £181.1m.  Founded in 1742, the company is listed on
the London Stock Exchange (as WTB.L) and is a member of the FTSE4Good indices.

Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German Banking Law (competent authority:
BaFin - Federal Financial Supervising Authority) and with respect to UK
commodity derivatives business by the Financial Services Authority; regulated by
the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of UK business. Deutsche Bank
is acting for Whitbread and no-one else in connection with the return of cash
and will not be responsible for anyone other than Whitbread for providing the
protections afforded to clients of Deutsche Bank or for providing advice in
relation to the return of cash.




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