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) December 1, 2003
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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 5. Other Events
On December 1, 2003, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued
a press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports November Comparable
Sales." The release contained the following information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carol DiRaimo,
Executive Director of Investor Relations
(913) 967-4109
Applebee's International Reports November Comparable Sales
Overland Park, Kan., December 1, 2003 -- Applebee's International, Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended
November 23, 2003.
Comparable sales for company restaurants increased 6.1 percent, including the 21
franchise restaurants in Washington, D.C. acquired in November 2002 as well as
the 11 franchise restaurants adjacent to the St. Louis market that were acquired
in March 2003. Excluding the acquired restaurants, comparable sales for company
restaurants increased 6.5 percent, reflecting an increase in guest traffic of
approximately 4.5 to 5.0 percent, combined with a higher average check.
System-wide comparable sales increased 5.1 percent for the November period, and
comparable sales for franchise restaurants increased 4.8 percent.
November comparable sales were negatively impacted by approximately 0.6 percent
due to Halloween falling on a Friday in 2003 as compared to Thursday in 2002.
Comparable sales for company restaurants for the quarter-to-date period (eight
weeks) have increased 6.7 percent, with system-wide and franchise comparable
sales up 5.9 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively.
The company reaffirmed its guidance for fiscal year 2003 diluted earnings per
share in a range of $1.73 to $1.75, excluding the $0.10 charge in the second
quarter relating to the Chevys' note and the impact of any additional franchise
acquisitions or stock repurchase activity.
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 November 23,
2003, there were 1,564 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: December 1, 2003 By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
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Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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