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 24, 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 8.01. Other Events
On August 24, 2004, 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,
Vice President of Investor Relations
(913) 967-4109
Applebee's International Reports August Comparable Sales
Overland Park, Kan., August 24, 2004 -- Applebee's International, Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended
August 22, 2004.
System-wide comparable sales increased 1.6 percent for the August period, and
comparable sales for franchise restaurants increased 2.2 percent. Comparable
sales for company restaurants decreased 0.1 percent, reflecting a decrease in
guest traffic of approximately 1.5 percent, offset by a higher average check.
The company noted that its Fresh Garden Classics promotion featuring four
salads, which concluded on August 15th, had lower price points than either the
prior year or recent promotions. August 2004 comparable sales were also
negatively impacted by the Olympics and one less week of advertising in
comparison to the prior year. In addition, Hurricane Charley negatively impacted
franchise comparable sales by approximately 0.3 percent. August 2003 comparable
sales were negatively impacted by approximately 0.5 percent in both company and
franchise markets due to a blackout in several states last year.
System-wide comparable sales for the quarter-to-date period through August have
increased 3.5 percent, with company and franchise restaurant comparable sales up
1.9 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. The company expects the Olympics to
continue to have a negative impact on sales for the first week of its September
period.
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 22,
2004, there were 1,629 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 24, 2004 By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
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Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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