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): October 4, 2004 RARE Hospitality International, Inc. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Georgia 0-19924 58-1498312 ------------------ ----------------- ------------------- (State or Other (Commission (IRS Employer Jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) Incorporation) 8215 Roswell Rd, Bldg. 600, Atlanta, GA 30350 ------------------------------------------- (Addresses of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code) (770) 399-9595 ---------------------------------- (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code) 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)) 1 Section 2 - Financial Information Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition. Section 7 - Regulation FD Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure. The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02, "Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and Item 7.01, "Regulation FD Disclosure." On October 4, 2004, RARE Hospitality International Inc. (the "Company") announced positive same-store sales for each of its three growth concepts for the third quarter ended September 26, 2004. For the quarter, same-store sales increased 3.0% for LongHorn Steakhouse, 2.3% for Bugaboo Creek and 11.0% for The Capital Grille, compared with the third quarter of 2003. As a result of both our same-store sales performance and the challenging operating environment, the Company expects to report earnings per diluted share of $0.24 for the third quarter of 2004. The full text of the press release is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto. The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, is not deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits. Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit -------------- ---------------------- 99.1 Press release issued October 4, 2004. 2 SIGNATURE 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. RARE Hospitality International, Inc. By: /s/ W. DOUGLAS BENN ---------------------------------------- Name: W. Douglas Benn Title: Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer Date: October 4, 2004 3