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 18, 2000
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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
Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release
announcing its new e-business strategic initiative and that it had entered into
a service agreement and made a $2 million equity investment in Instill
Corporation. The press release is attached as Exhibit A hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 7. Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit Description
A Press release of the Company dated
May 18, 2000
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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: May 25, 2000 By: /s/ George D. Shadid
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George D. Shadid
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Analyst Contact:
Carol DiRaimo, 913-967-4109
Media Contact:
Cathie Koch, 913-967-8974
APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES
E-BUSINESS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
ENTERS INTO SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH INSTILL CORPORATION
AND MAKES EQUITY INVESTMENT
OVERLAND PARK, KAN., May 18, 2000 - Lloyd L. Hill, chairman and chief executive
officer of Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB), announced today the
company's new e-business strategy to leverage opportunities in the emerging
Internet and e-business arenas. Applebee's, the largest casual dining concept in
the world, believes that the use of technology to improve efficiency and
effectiveness in business applications is critical to maintaining its leadership
position in the industry. The first step in implementing this strategy is an
agreement with Instill Corporation, a leading provider of e-business purchasing
services to the restaurant industry.
"As a result of the rapidly developing Internet and e-business environment, we
have spent a significant amount of time identifying how we and our franchisees
can take advantage of the growing momentum for e-business services," said Hill.
"Our agreement with Instill is an important e-business relationship, and we are
excited about the prospects for improvements in the procurement side of our
business."
Instill provides a suite of e-business solutions for foodservice operators,
distributors and manufacturers that help them lower costs and grow their
businesses. Applebee's two-pronged agreement includes the use of Instill's
Purchase Insight product, a consolidated purchasing information service. In
support of the role Instill will provide to the industry, Applebee's is making
an equity investment of $2 million in the company.
"We are impressed with Instill's management team, partners, industry focus and
customer solutions," said Steve Lumpkin, executive vice president of strategic
development and leader of Applebee's e-business strategy. "This agreement and
investment combination represents the implementation of one of several
initiatives we are currently evaluating to operate more effectively. We will
continue to seek opportunities that utilize leading edge technology."
Applebee's International, Inc., headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., currently
develops, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood
Grill and Bar brand, the largest casual dining concept in the world. There are
currently 1,198 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and
seven international countries. Additional information on Applebee's
International can be found at the company's website (www.applebees.com).