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) July 2, 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 July 2, 2005, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a statement regarding a lawsuit recently filed in Louisiana. The statement is included below. Contact: Laurie Ellison, executive director of communications Ph: 913.967.2718 Applebee's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:APPB) today issued the following statement in regards to a lawsuit recently filed in Louisiana. July 2, 2005 - On Monday, Applebee's International learned of an incident which happened a year ago at one of our franchise restaurants in Louisiana. We immediately launched an investigation. Several members of our senior management team traveled to Louisiana to follow the investigation. They returned last night. While some facts are still unclear, we now believe a former employee at this restaurant accidentally cut the very tip of his thumb last year. The cut was roughly the size of a sunflower seed, according to the former employee. We believe this was the incident that may have led to the claim by Ms. Johnson. We deeply regret this isolated incident from last year. On behalf of Applebee's International, we want to publicly apologize to Ms. Johnson. Food safety remains our top priority. 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: July 5, 2005 APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. By: /s/ Steven K. Lumpkin ---------------------------------------- Steven K. Lumpkin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3