UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 17, 2002
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Commission File Number: 000-17962
Applebee's International, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 43-1461763
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
4551 W. 107th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, Kansas 66207
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(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(913) 967-4000
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
None
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. Other Events
On January 17, 2002, Applebee's International, Inc.(the "Company") issued a
press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports December Comparable
Sales and Updates Fourth Quarter Earnings Guidance." The press release contained
the following information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carol DiRaimo,
Director of Investor Relations
(913) 967-4109
Applebee's International Reports December Comparable Sales
and Updates Fourth Quarter Earnings Guidance
Overland Park, Kan., January 17, 2002 -- Applebee's International, Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the five-week period ended
December 30, 2001. Comparable sales for company restaurants increased 3.0
percent, reflecting an increase in guest traffic in excess of 3.0 percent,
combined with a slightly lower average check. System-wide and franchise
restaurant comparable sales both increased 3.2 percent for the December period.
Comparable sales for the fourth quarter of 2001 increased 1.6 percent for
company restaurants, with system-wide and franchise restaurant comparable sales
up 2.7 percent and 3.0 percent, respectively. The company had previously
expected system-wide comparable sales for the fourth quarter to be in the range
of zero to 2 percent.
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") also included guidance regarding
its business outlook in the press release. These comments are included below.
As a result, fourth quarter diluted earnings per share are now expected to be at
the upper end of the company's earlier guidance of 42 to 45 cents per share,
excluding the impact of non-recurring refinancing costs.
The company will release complete fourth quarter and fiscal year 2001 results
after the market closes on February 13, 2002, and a conference call will be held
on Thursday morning, February 14, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (11:00 a.m.
Eastern Time). The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and
a replay will be available shortly after the call on the Investor Relations
section of the company's website (www.applebees.com).
Applebee's International, Inc., headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., currently
develops, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood
Grill and Bar brand, the largest casual dining concept in the world. There are
currently 1,392 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and
eight international countries. Additional information on Applebee's
International can be found at the company's website (www.applebees.com).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: January 17, 2002 By: /s/ George D. Shadid
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George D. Shadid
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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