Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TRUEBLUE REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2009 RESULTS

TACOMA, WA. – Oct. 21, 2009—TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) today reported net income of $8.2 million or $0.19 per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 25, 2009, compared to net income of $16.3 million or $0.38 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2008. Revenue for the quarter was $285 million, a decrease of 27 percent compared to the third quarter of 2008.

“Our strict cost management combined with ongoing stabilization in same branch revenue drove our results this quarter,” said TrueBlue CEO Steve Cooper. “Ongoing risk management programs that drove workers compensation expense lower also contributed to our better-than-expected results. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to the strong operating leverage in our business model, we remain focused on executing on every element of the business.”

TrueBlue closed 12 branches, resulting in 764 branches in operation at the end of the quarter.

For the fourth quarter of 2009, TrueBlue estimates revenue in the range of $240 million to $250 million and net income per diluted share for the quarter of to $0.00 to $0.05.

About TrueBlue

TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE: TBI) is the leading provider of blue-collar staffing with revenue of approximately $1.4 billion in 2008. Last year, TrueBlue connected approximately 500,000 people to work through the following brands: Labor Ready, Spartan Staffing, CLP Resources, PlaneTechs, and TLC and served approximately 250,000 businesses in the wholesale, services, transportation, manufacturing, retail, and construction industries. TrueBlue is head quartered in Tacoma, Wash. For more information, visit TrueBlue’s website at www.TrueBlueInc.com

Forward-looking Statements

This news release and the schedule regarding 2009 assumptions contain 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.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer, solicitation or sale in such jurisdiction. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus

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    Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
     September 25,
2009
   September 26,
2008
   September 25,
2009
   September 26,
2008

Revenue from services

   $ 284,843    $ 387,914    $ 756,268    $ 1,082,640

Cost of services

     202,220      272,736      538,144      758,564
                           

Gross profit

     82,623      115,178      218,124      324,076

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     64,950      86,226      196,644      253,279

Depreciation and amortization

     4,237      3,988      12,662      11,863
                           

Income from operations

     13,436      24,964      8,818      58,934

Interest and other income, net

     240      1,049      2,153      4,569
                           

Income before tax expense

     13,676      26,013      10,971      63,503

Income tax expense

     5,437      9,678      4,305      21,639
                           

Net income

   $ 8,239    $ 16,335    $ 6,666    $ 41,864
                           

Net income per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.19    $ 0.38    $ 0.16    $ 0.97

Diluted

   $ 0.19    $ 0.38    $ 0.16    $ 0.97

Weighted average shares outstanding:

           

Basic

     42,906      42,460      42,808      43,005

Diluted

     43,121      42,695      42,930      43,176


TrueBlue, Inc.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In Thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     September 25,
2009
   December 26,
2008

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 95,522    $ 108,102

Accounts receivable, net

     130,515      104,979

Other current assets

     17,300      29,723
             

Total current assets

     243,337      242,804

Property and equipment, net

     61,322      61,542

Restricted cash

     126,183      120,323

Other assets

     88,907      95,006
             

Total assets

   $ 519,749    $ 519,675
             

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     

Current liabilities

   $ 83,415    $ 95,308

Long-term liabilities

     154,876      154,238
             

Total liabilities

     238,291      249,546

Shareholders’ equity

     281,458      270,129
             

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 519,749    $ 519,675
             


TrueBlue, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

In Thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended  
     September 25,
2009
    September 26,
2008
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 6,666      $ 41,864   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     12,662        11,863   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     7,969        6,697   

Stock-based compensation

     5,597        6,229   

Deferred income taxes

     4,081        (7,102

Other operating activities

     1,037        530   

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

    

Accounts receivable

     (33,505     (11,394

Income taxes

     12,917        (4,350

Other assets

     (1,095     —     

Accounts payable and other accrued expenses

     (4,225     (1,663

Accrued wages and benefits

     1,803        (2,654

Workers’ compensation claims reserve

     (9,094     4,106   

Other liabilities

     (152     (3,216
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     4,661        40,910   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (10,540     (20,009

Purchases of marketable securities

     —          (27,158

Maturities of marketable securities

     —          38,087   

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     —          (21,270

Change in restricted cash

     (5,860     4,712   

Other

     85        —     
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (16,315     (25,638
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Purchases and retirement of common stock

     —          (15,997

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

     838        3,173   

Shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock

     (820     (918

Payments on debt

     (304     (193

Other

     (996     (229
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,282     (14,164
                

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     356        (636
                

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (12,580     472   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     108,102        57,008   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 95,522      $ 57,480