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) January 4, 2005 -------------------------------- Applebee's International, Inc. ---------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 000-17962 43-1461763 ------------------------------ ------------ ----------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) File Number) Identification No.) 4551 W. 107th Street, 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) 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 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure On January 4, 2005, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release entitled "Applebee's International Names Carrington SVP Finance" The release contained the following information. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Laurie Ellison 913.967.2718 Carol DiRaimo 913.967.4109 Communications Executive Director Vice President of Investor Relations Applebee's International Names Carrington SVP Finance Overland Park, Kan., January 4, 2005 -Steve Lumpkin, executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) of Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB), today announced H.G. "Carey" Carrington, Jr. as the company's new senior vice president of finance, effective January 10. Carrington has extensive experience in restaurant finance, most recently with California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). Carrington served CPK as executive vice president and CFO from 1998 to 2001 and returned to the company as interim president in 2003. He also served as CFO and chief operating officer for U.S. Restaurant Properties, Inc., and as CFO for Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. Prior to his work within the restaurant industry, which began in 1993, Carrington spent 14 years in investment banking. "I'm delighted that someone of Carey's rare stature and achievement will be joining Applebee's in this key position," Lumpkin said. "His record of success, coupled with his industry-wide reputation for honesty and integrity, makes him a perfect fit for our culture at Applebee's International." Lumpkin said the SVP Finance position was created to help the company build its management depth as it continues to expand its reach as the world's largest casual dining concept. Last year, Applebee's International announced plans to grow to at least 3,000 domestic locations; currently, there are more than 1,600 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in the United States. Lloyd Hill, chairman and chief executive officer of Applebee's, also stressed that adding Carrington to lead the finance team will allow Lumpkin to devote more of his efforts to the company's long-term strategic goals, including acceleration of the company's development and operations internationally. Carrington will report to Lumpkin and will be responsible for all finance functions other than investor relations. In addition to oversight for finance, Lumpkin will continue to be responsible for international development and operations, information technology, investor relations and legal. 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 1,672 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). # # # 2 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: January 4, 2005 By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin --------------------- ------------------------ Steven K. Lumpkin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3