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) February 24, 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 February 24, 2003, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued
a press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports February 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 February Comparable Sales
Overland Park, Kan., February 24, 2003 -- Applebee's International, Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended
February 23, 2003.
Comparable sales for company restaurants increased 3.4 percent, including the 21
franchise restaurants in Washington, D.C. acquired in November 2002. Excluding
the acquired restaurants, comparable sales for company restaurants increased 3.9
percent, reflecting an increase in guest traffic in excess of 2 percent,
combined with a higher average check. System-wide comparable sales increased 2.1
percent for the February period, and comparable sales for franchise restaurants
increased 1.7 percent.
The severe winter weather experienced over the President's Day weekend across
portions of 23 states in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest affected
approximately 40 percent of the restaurants in the Applebee's system. The
negative impact of the weather on February system-wide comparable sales is
estimated to be between 1.5 and 2.0 percent. Excluding the President's Day
weekend, system-wide comparable sales for the month were well above the
company's full-year guidance of at least 3 percent.
Comparable sales for company restaurants for the quarter-to-date period (eight
weeks) have increased 3.8 percent, with system-wide and franchise comparable
sales up 2.7 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.
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 February 23,
2003, there were 1,507 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: February 24, 2003 By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin
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Steven K. Lumpkin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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