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) February 23, 2005
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APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 000-17962 43-1461763
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
4551 W. 107th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66207
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(Address of principal executive offices) (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.)
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 February 23, 2005, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued
a press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports February 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 February Comparable Sales
Overland Park, Kan., February 23, 2005 -- Applebee's International, Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended
February 20, 2005.
System-wide comparable sales increased 5.2 percent for the February period, and
comparable sales for franchise restaurants increased 6.2 percent. Comparable
sales for company restaurants increased 2.3 percent, reflecting an increase in
guest traffic of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 percent, combined with a higher
average check.
February comparable sales were positively impacted by approximately 1.0 percent
due to the shift in the timing of Valentine's Day from Saturday last year to
Monday this year, but were negatively impacted by approximately 0.6 percent due
to the shift in President's Day from the February fiscal period last year to the
March fiscal period this year.
System-wide comparable sales for the quarter-to-date period through February
(eight weeks) have increased 4.7 percent, with company and franchise restaurant
comparable sales up 1.7 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively.
If positive comparable sales results for both company and franchise restaurants
continue through March, the company expects an upward bias to its previously
stated earnings per share guidance for the quarter ending March 27, 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. As of February 20,
2005, there were 1,683 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).
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Certain statements contained in this release, including first quarter 2005
earnings per share guidance, are forward-looking and based on current
expectations. There are several risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those described, including but not limited to
the ability of the company and its franchisees to open and operate additional
restaurants profitably, the ability of its franchisees to obtain financing, the
continued growth of its franchisees, and its ability to attract and retain
qualified franchisees, the impact of intense competition in the casual dining
segment of the restaurant industry, and its ability to control restaurant
operating costs which are impacted by market changes, minimum wage and other
employment laws, food costs and inflation. For additional discussion of the
principal factors that could cause actual results to be materially different,
the reader is referred to the company's current report on Form 8-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2005. The company
disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 23, 2005
APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
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Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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