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) July 25, 2003
--------------------------------
Commission File Number: 000-17962
Applebee's International, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 43-1461763
---------------------------- ------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
4551 W. 107th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, Kansas 66207
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(913) 967-4000
----------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
None
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
On July 25, 2003, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press
release entitled "Applebee's and Weight Watchers Announce Plans To Co-Develop
New Menu." The press release is included below.
Contacts:
Weight Watchers International, Inc.: Linda Carilli (516) 390-1488
Applebee's International, Inc: Laurie Ellison (913) 967-2718
APPLEBEE'S AND WEIGHT WATCHERS
ANNOUNCE PLANS TO CO-DEVELOP NEW MENU
JULY 25, 2003 - Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq: APPB), operators of
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants, the world's largest casual
dining concept, and Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NYSE: WTW), the leader
in providing healthy and effective weight management services, have entered into
an exclusive and comprehensive license agreement. The keystone of this agreement
will be a Weight Watchers branded section of the Applebee's menu.
"Although you can eat any food on the Weight Watchers program, we know it is
still often difficult for weight conscious consumers to find healthy and
satisfying food choices when and where they need them. Applebee's is a terrific
partner to develop these selections in a casual dining restaurant setting," said
Linda Huett, President and CEO of Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Applebee's and Weight Watchers will develop a number of new, exclusive items for
the Applebee's menu, including appetizers, entrees and desserts. Following
testing in select markets later this year, these new items will be offered next
year in all Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in the United States
and Canada - more than 1,500 locations. The companies will work together to
inform weight conscious consumers about the new menu.
"At Applebee's, we are committed to choice. We want to provide our guests with
menu selections as diverse as they are delicious," said Lloyd L. Hill, Chairman
and CEO of Applebee's International, Inc. "Teaming with Weight Watchers is a
great way for us to provide our guests with healthy, great-tasting choices."
-MORE-
2
Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of weight
loss services, operating in the United States and in 29 other countries through
a network of company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds more
than 44,000 weekly meetings where members receive group support and education
about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. In
addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and
programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control. Additional
information about Weight Watchers can be found at WeightWatchers.com.
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 currently
more than 1,500 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and
nine international countries. Additional information on Applebee's International
can be found at 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, thereunto duly authorized.
APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: July 25, 2003 By:/s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
--------------------- -----------------------
Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
4