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) June 1, 2005
-----------------------------------------------
APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 000-17962 43-1461763
------------------------------ ---------------- ------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
4551 W. 107th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66207
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(913) 967-4000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
None
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act 17 CFR
230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On June 1, 2005, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a
press release entitled "Applebee's International Announces Stan Sword as Chief
People Officer." The release contained the following information.
CONTACT:
Laurie Ellison, executive director of communications
913.967.2718; laurie.ellison@applebees.com
Applebee's International Announces
Stan Sword as Chief People Officer
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 1, 2005 -- Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:
APPB) today announced that Stan Sword will be joining the company as Chief
People Officer (CPO).
Effective August 8, Sword will lead the human resources function of the
largest casual dining concept in the world. Applebee's, which currently has more
than 1,700 restaurants globally, has announced plans to grow to at least 3,000
restaurants in the United States alone. In his new role, Sword will lead the
company's effort to attract, motivate, reward and retain the best associates -
from servers to senior executives - in the restaurant industry.
Sword previously worked for Cerner Corporation (Nasdaq: CERN), the world's
leading supplier of healthcare information technology. He started with Cerner
Corporation as chief people officer in 1998, and five years later was promoted
to president of the Great Lakes region. While serving as CPO, Sword helped
reduce the company's turnover by nearly 60 percent, sustained overall associate
satisfaction at more than 85 percent, and twice helped land Cerner's on Fortune
Magazine's "Top 100 Best Companies to Work For List." Cerner also was selected
twice as one of Computer World's "Top 100 Best Companies to Work for."
"At the center of our strategic plan is `noticeably better people,'" said
Lloyd Hill, chairman and chief executive officer of Applebee's International,
Inc. "That's why the chief people officer position is at the same level as the
chief financial officer, the chief marketing officer and the chief operating
officer. It speaks to the fact that, at Applebee's, we are not in the food
business serving people; we are in the people business serving food."
In addition to his experience in human resources, Sword also brings with
him a wealth of experience in business and finance. A graduate of the University
of Illinois with a degree in finance, Sword worked for Arthur Andersen as a
consultant, and later worked for AT&T as a director, then vice president, and
finally as a partner for AT&T Solutions.
Active in his community, Sword is chairman of the Clay County Economic
Development Council, a member of the Dean's Business Council of the University
of Illinois, and a supporter of various philanthropic organizations in Kansas
City.
Sword and his wife, Tracy, live in Overland Park, with their four children.
2
Sword will replace Lou Kaucic, who is retiring after eight years with
Applebee's International.
"Lou has been instrumental in developing the culture and HR policies that
have made Applebee's a recognized industry leader," Hill said.
Earlier this year, Applebee's was named Chain Leader magazine's "Best Place
to Work" in recognition of its outstanding associate retention. The company also
has received People Report's Catalyst Award for Best HR Practices, and the
"Heart of the Workplace" award for its community service. In 2004, Human
Resource Executive magazine named Kaucic as one of its four finalists for HR
Executive of the Year.
"Lou's legacy is the rock-solid foundation he's created for our culture and
our people," Hill said. "I am excited about the special skills and new
perspective that Stan brings to help us build on that foundation and move us a
step closer to our goal of becoming the `World's Favorite Neighbor.'"
# # #
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. There are more than
1,700 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and 12
international countries. Additional information on Applebee's International can
be found at the company's website, www.applebees.com.
3
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 hereunto duly authorized.
Date: June 1, 2005
APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
-------------------------------
Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
4