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 2, 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 July 2, 2005, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a
statement regarding a lawsuit recently filed in Louisiana. The statement is
included below.
Contact:
Laurie Ellison, executive director of communications
Ph: 913.967.2718
Applebee's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:APPB) today issued the following
statement in regards to a lawsuit recently filed in Louisiana.
July 2, 2005 - On Monday, Applebee's International learned of an incident which
happened a year ago at one of our franchise restaurants in Louisiana. We
immediately launched an investigation. Several members of our senior management
team traveled to Louisiana to follow the investigation. They returned last
night.
While some facts are still unclear, we now believe a former employee at this
restaurant accidentally cut the very tip of his thumb last year. The cut was
roughly the size of a sunflower seed, according to the former employee. We
believe this was the incident that may have led to the claim by Ms. Johnson.
We deeply regret this isolated incident from last year. On behalf of Applebee's
International, we want to publicly apologize to Ms. Johnson. Food safety remains
our top priority.
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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: July 5, 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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