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) February 23, 2004
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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 February 23, 2004, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued
a press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports February Comparable
Sales." The release contained the following information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carol DiRaimo,
Vice President of Investor Relations
(913) 967-4109
Applebee's International Reports February Comparable Sales
Overland Park, Kan., February 23, 2004 -- Applebee's International, Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended
February 22, 2004.
Comparable sales for company restaurants increased 8.4 percent, reflecting an
increase in guest traffic of approximately 7.5 to 8.0 percent, combined with a
higher average check, which includes the impact of a menu price increase of
approximately 1.5% taken in early January. System-wide comparable sales
increased 7.8 percent for the February period, and comparable sales for
franchise restaurants increased 7.6 percent.
February comparable sales were negatively impacted by approximately 1.0 percent
due to a shift in the timing of the Super Bowl from the January fiscal period in
2003 to the February fiscal period in 2004. February 2003 comparable sales were
negatively impacted by 1.5 to 2.0 percent due to severe winter weather
experienced over the President's Day weekend.
Comparable sales for company restaurants for the quarter-to-date period (eight
weeks) have increased 8.4 percent, with system-wide and franchise comparable
sales up 8.1 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.
Applebee's International, Inc., headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., develops,
franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill &
Bar brand, the largest casual dining concept in the world. As of February 22,
2004, there were 1,594 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states
and nine 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: February 23, 2004 By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
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Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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