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) August 26, 2003
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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 August 26, 2003, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a
press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports August Comparable
Sales." The release contained the following information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carol DiRaimo,
Executive Director of Investor Relations
(913) 967-4109
Applebee's International Reports August Comparable Sales
Overland Park, Kan., August 26, 2003 -- Applebee's International, Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended
August 24, 2003.
Comparable sales for company restaurants increased 5.4 percent, including the 21
franchise restaurants in Washington, D.C. acquired in November 2002 as well as
the 11 franchise restaurants adjacent to the St. Louis market that were acquired
in March 2003. Excluding the acquired restaurants, comparable sales for company
restaurants increased 5.6 percent, reflecting an increase in guest traffic of
approximately 2.0 to 2.5 percent, combined with a higher average check.
System-wide comparable sales increased 4.3 percent for the August period, and
comparable sales for franchise restaurants increased 3.9 percent.
August comparable sales were negatively impacted by approximately 0.5 percent in
both company and franchise markets due to the recent blackout in several states.
Comparable sales for company restaurants for the quarter-to-date period (eight
weeks) have increased 5.5 percent, with system-wide and franchise comparable
sales up 4.1 percent and 3.6 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 August 24,
2003, there were 1,538 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: August 26, 2003 By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
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Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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