FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Ellison, executive director of communications
913.967.2718; laurie.ellison@applebees.com


Gina Boswell Elected to Applebee's International's Board of Directors


OVERLAND PARK, KAN., October 19, 2005 - Applebee's International,  Inc. (Nasdaq:
APPB) today announced the appointment of Gina Boswell, senior vice president and
chief operating officer for Avon North America, to its Board of Directors.

"We are  delighted  and  honored  to  have  an  executive  with  Gina  Boswell's
experience and credentials join our board," said Lloyd Hill, Applebee's chairman
and chief executive officer.

Boswell,  who was  named  to her  current  role at Avon in  February  2005,  has
responsibility for implementing Avon North America's  transformation  agenda and
its business strategies,  as well as responsibility for Canada,  Puerto Rico and
the  Dominican  Republic.  She  joined  Avon in 2003 as senior  vice  president,
corporate  strategy and business  development.  In that role,  Boswell helped to
develop and implement the company's growth strategies, and plan both organic and
external   initiatives  that  complement  Avon's  core  competencies  in  beauty
marketing and direct selling.

Prior  to Avon,  Boswell  had 19 years of  business  development,  strategy  and
finance experience.  She came to Avon from Ford Motor Company,  where she worked
since 1999 and rose through the company to eventually lead the business strategy
for  Ford's  global  enterprise.  In  earlier  positions  at Ford,  she had line
responsibility for the company's vehicle  personalization  business, and led the
development of Ford's consumer-focused e-business.

Prior to Ford, Boswell spent seven years with Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. After
playing a key role in Estee Lauder's initial public offering in 1995, she became






vice  president  of investor  relations.  In 1997,  Boswell was  appointed  vice
president,  new business  development,  to develop and  implement  the company's
acquisition  strategy and complete major  transactions  and strategic  marketing
alliances.

Boswell is a summa cum laude  graduate of Boston  University  and  received  her
Master's degree from the Yale School of Management.  She was named a Henry Crown
Fellow of the Aspen Institute in 2005.

                                      # # #

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. Currently,  there are
more than 1,750 Applebee's  restaurants  operating worldwide in 49 states and 14
international countries.  Additional information on Applebee's International can
be found at the company's Web site (www.applebees.com).