Director Shareholding

Whitbread PLC
17 January 2001




                              WHITBREAD PLC

On 17 January 01 Whitbread Quest Trustee Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of
Whitbread PLC permitted to subscribe for shares in the company to satisfy
options granted under the company's Sharesave scheme) subscribed for 6658 shares
to satisfy the exercise of options by participants in the scheme.  These shares
were transferred to 11 participants at an average exercise price of £5.15 on the
same day.  The executive directors were deemed to have a technical interest in
the 6658 shares when Whitbread Quest Trustee Limited subscribed for the shares
and ceased to have an interest when the shares were transferred to the
participants.

Enquiries:     Simon C Barratt
               020 7606 4455    Extn: 2313
               Company Secretary