Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TRUEBLUE REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2009 RESULTS

TACOMA, WA. — April 22, 2009—TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) today reported a net loss of ($5.3 million) or ($0.12) per diluted share for the quarter ended March 27, 2009, compared to net income of $8.8 million or $0.20 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008. Revenue for the quarter was $224 million, a decrease of 31 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008. The 31 percent revenue decline consisted of a 5 percent increase from acquisitions completed within the last 12 months offset by a 36 percent decline in organic revenue.

“Our bottom line results were better than expected due to aggressive and well executed cost management throughout the organization,” said TrueBlue CEO Steve Cooper. “Our first priority is to provide exceptional customer service at each of our brands. At the same time, we are scaling costs to match current demand for our services.”

TrueBlue closed 40 branches in the quarter, resulting in 810 branches in operation at the end of the quarter.

For the second quarter of 2009, TrueBlue estimates revenue in the range of $225 million to $235 million and loss per diluted share for the quarter of ($0.02) to ($0.08).

Management will discuss first quarter 2009 results on a conference call at 2 p.m. (PT), today, Wednesday, April 22, 2009. The conference call can be accessed on TrueBlue’s web site: www.TrueBlueInc.com.

About TrueBlue

TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE: TBI) is the leading provider of blue-collar staffing with revenue of approximately $1.4 billion in 2008. Each year, TrueBlue connects approximately 500,000 people to work through the following brands: Labor Ready, Spartan Staffing, CLP Resources, PlaneTechs, and TLC. Headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., TrueBlue serves approximately 250,000 small to mid-sized businesses in the construction, warehousing, hospitality, landscaping, transportation, light manufacturing, retail, wholesale, facilities, sanitation, and aviation industries. For more information, visit TrueBlue’s website at www.TrueBlueInc.com

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements about the ranges of revenues, gross margins and net income/(loss) anticipated for future periods, improvements in safety and workers’ compensation claims and costs, strategies for increasing revenue and net income, and other factors that may affect TrueBlue’s financial results and operations in the future. TrueBlue’s actual results are, however, subject to a number of risks, including without limitation the following: 1) national and global economic conditions, including the impact of changes in national and global credit markets and other changes on TrueBlue customers; 2) TrueBlue’s ability to continue to attract and retain customers and maintain profit margins in the face of new and existing competition; 3) potential new laws and regulations that could have a materially adverse effect on TrueBlue’s operations and financial results; 4) significant labor disturbances which could disrupt industries TrueBlue serves; 5) increased costs and collateral requirements in connection with TrueBlue’s insurance obligations, including workers’ compensation insurance; 6) the adequacy of TrueBlue’s financial reserves; 7) TrueBlue’s continuing ability to comply with financial covenants in its lines of credit and other financing agreements; 8) TrueBlue’s ability to attract and retain competent employees in key positions or to find temporary employees or skilled trade workers to fulfill the needs of our customers; 9) TrueBlue’s ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions that it may make from time to time; 10) TrueBlue’s ability to timely execute strategies for acquired companies; and 11) other risks described in TrueBlue’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings.


Contacts

Derrek Gafford, EVP & CFO

253-680-8214

Stacey Burke, VP of Corporate Communications

253-680-8291


TrueBlue, Inc.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

In Thousands, except per share data

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended
         March 27,    
2009
        March 28,    
2008

Revenue from services

   $ 224,414     $ 324,016

Cost of services

     161,743       225,661
              

Gross profit

     62,671       98,355

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     68,311       82,484

Depreciation and amortization

     4,145       3,908
              

(Loss) income from operations

     (9,785 )     11,963

Interest and other income, net

     1,201       1,896
              

(Loss) income before tax (benefit) expense

     (8,584 )     13,859

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (3,281 )     5,058
              

Net (loss) income

   $ (5,303 )   $ 8,801
              

Net (loss) income per common share:

    

Basic

   $ (0.12 )   $ 0.20

Diluted

   $ (0.12 )   $ 0.20

Weighted average shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     42,682       43,362

Diluted

     42,682       43,494


TrueBlue, Inc.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In Thousands

 

         March 27,    
2009
(Unaudited)
   December 26,
2008

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 103,525    $ 108,102

Accounts receivable, net

     92,887      104,979

Other current assets

     31,558      29,723
             

Total current assets

     227,970      242,804

Property and equipment, net

     62,535      61,542

Restricted cash

     123,603      120,323

Other assets

     95,515      95,006
             

Total assets

   $ 509,623    $ 519,675
             

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     

Current liabilities

   $ 89,335    $ 95,308

Long-term liabilities

     153,845      154,238
             

Total liabilities

     243,180      249,546

Shareholders’ equity

     266,443      270,129
             

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 509,623    $ 519,675
             


TrueBlue, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

In Thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
         March 27,    
2009
        March 28,    
2008
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (5,303 )   $ 8,801  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,145       3,908  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     1,702       2,252  

Stock-based compensation

     2,497       2,768  

Deferred income taxes

     (3,777 )     421  

Other operating activities

     790       132  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of business acquired:

    

Accounts receivable

     10,390       (796 )

Income taxes

     358       (6,036 )

Other assets

     (264 )     1,916  

Accounts payable and other accrued expenses

     (2,474 )     (510 )

Accrued wages and benefits

     (1,465 )     463  

Workers’ compensation claims reserve

     (2,967 )     602  

Other liabilities

     (52 )     (486 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     3,580       13,435  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (4,527 )     (5,829 )

Purchases of marketable securities

     —         (27,144 )

Maturities of marketable securities

     —         37,055  

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     —         (5,319 )

Change in restricted cash

     (3,280 )     6,199  

Other

     71       45  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (7,736 )     5,007  
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net proceeds from sale of stock through options and employee benefit plans

     322       544  

Shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock

     (591 )     (617 )

Payments on debt

     (133 )     (64 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (402 )     (137 )
                

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     (19 )     (288 )
                

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,577 )     18,017  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     108,102       57,008  
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 103,525     $ 75,025