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) May 24, 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 May 24, 2005, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports May 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 May Comparable Sales Overland Park, Kan., May 24, 2005 -- Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended May 22, 2005. System-wide comparable sales increased 3.8 percent for the May period, and comparable sales for franchise restaurants increased 4.7 percent. Comparable sales for company restaurants increased 0.9 percent, reflecting a decrease in guest traffic of between zero and 0.5 percent, combined with a higher average check. System-wide comparable sales for the quarter-to-date period through May (eight weeks) have increased 2.9 percent, with franchise restaurant comparable sales up 3.8 percent and company comparable restaurant sales flat. On May 23, 2005, the company completed the previously announced acquisition of 12 franchise restaurants, one of which is currently under development and expected to open in June, located in Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. 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 May 22, 2005, there were 1,711 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 hereunto duly authorized. Date: May 24, 2005 APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin ---------------------------------------- Steven K. Lumpkin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3