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) March 11, 2005 ----------------------------------------------- APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) DELAWARE 000-17962 43-1461763 ------------------------------ ---------------- ------------------------ (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 4551 W. 107th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66207 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (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 8.01. Other Events. On March 11, 2005, Applebee's International, Inc. announced that it will file a Form 12b-25 for a fifteen-day extension of the March 11, 2005 filing deadline for its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2004. The Company now expects to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K on or before March 28, 2005. The press release is attached as exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The Company had previously announced that, like many other companies in the restaurant, retail and other industries, the Company is reviewing its accounting treatment for leases and depreciation of related leasehold improvements. The Company has discussed its lease accounting practices with its audit committee and consulted with its independent registered public accountants, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and has determined it will correct its accounting practices in this area. The Company has not yet made a final determination as to whether the corrections will be made as a cumulative adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2004 or as a restatement of historical financial statements. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is filed herewith: 99.1 Press Release dated March 11, 2005. 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 hereunto duly authorized. Date: March 11, 2005 APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin -------------------------------- Steven K. Lumpkin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3 Exhibit Index Exhibit Number Description ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- 99.1 Press Release dated March 11, 2005. 4