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 13, 2004 -------------------------------- Commission File Number: 000-17962 Applebee's International, Inc. ---------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 43-1461763 ---------------------------- ------------------------------------ (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 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) 1 Item 5. Other Events On May 13, 2004, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release entitled "Applebee's International Announces Three-for-Two Stock Split." The press release is attached below. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carol DiRaimo, Vice President of Investor Relations (913) 967-4109 Applebee's International Announces Three-for-Two Stock Split Overland Park, Kan., May 13, 2004 -- Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB) announced today at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders that it has declared a three-for-two stock split, to be effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable June 15, 2004. Shareholders of record as of May 28, 2004 will receive one additional share for every two shares held on that date. Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. 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 1,603 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). # # # 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: May 13, 2004 By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin --------------------- ------------------------ Steven K. Lumpkin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3