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)       October 29, 2003
                                                --------------------------------

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, Suite 100, 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

<PAGE>



Item 12.         Results of Operations and Financial Condition

      On October 29, 2003, Applebee's International, Inc. (the "Company") issued
a press release entitled "Applebee's International Reports Third Quarter Diluted
Earnings Per Share of $0.45." The release has been provided below.


                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:  Carol DiRaimo,
          Executive Director of Investor Relations
          (913) 967-4109

                 Applebee's International Reports Third Quarter
                       Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.45

Overland  Park,  Kan.,  October  29,  2003  --  Applebee's  International,  Inc.
(Nasdaq:APPB) today reported net earnings of $25.6 million, or $0.45 per diluted
share,  for the third  quarter  ended  September  28, 2003.  This  represents an
increase in diluted earnings per share of 21 percent as compared to 37 cents per
share for the third quarter of 2002.

System-wide  comparable  sales  for the  third  quarter  of 2003  increased  4.8
percent,  the 21st consecutive  quarter of comparable sales growth.  Company and
franchise  restaurant  comparable  sales  increased 5.9 percent and 4.4 percent,
respectively, for the quarter. System-wide comparable sales for the year-to-date
period  through  September  increased  3.9 percent,  with company and  franchise
restaurant comparable sales up 5.2 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.

The company also  reported  comparable  sales for the September  fiscal  period,
comprised  of the five weeks ended  September  28,  2003.  Comparable  sales for
company   restaurants   increased  6.7  percent,   including  the  21  franchise
restaurants  in  Washington,  D.C.  acquired in November  2002 as well as the 11
franchise  restaurants  adjacent to the St. Louis  market that were  acquired in
March 2003.  Excluding the acquired  restaurants,  comparable  sales for company
restaurants  increased  7.1 percent,  reflecting an increase in guest traffic of
approximately  5.0  to  5.5  percent,  combined  with a  higher  average  check.
System-wide comparable sales increased 5.9 percent for the September period, and
comparable sales for franchise restaurants increased 5.7 percent.

In  addition,  the company  reported  comparable  sales for the  October  fiscal
period, comprised of the four weeks ended October 26, 2003. Comparable sales for
company   restaurants   increased  7.3  percent,   including  the  32  franchise
restaurants acquired in November and March.  Excluding the acquired restaurants,
comparable sales for company  restaurants  increased 7.4 percent,  reflecting an
increase in guest traffic of approximately  4.5 to 5.0 percent,  combined with a
higher

                                    - more -

                                       2
<PAGE>


average  check.  System-wide  comparable  sales  increased  6.7  percent for the
October period,  and comparable  sales for franchise  restaurants  increased 6.6
percent.  Comparable sales for company  restaurants for the year-to-date  period
through  October have  increased  5.4 percent,  with  system-wide  and franchise
comparable sales up 4.1 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively.

Lloyd L. Hill,  chairman and chief  executive  officer,  said,  "The  Applebee's
system  continued to gain  momentum  during the third  quarter by hitting on all
cylinders,  resulting in comparable sales growth that substantially exceeded our
own  expectations.  These results were driven by the execution of the integrated
strategies that we articulated last year,  including  improved food,  compelling
promotions backed by effective advertising, meeting our guests' desires for more
convenience,  our focus on operations excellence,  and the retention of terrific
people. As a result,  earnings per share grew by 21 percent and return on equity
exceeded  23 percent for the  quarter,  both of which  continued  to surpass our
long-term targets."

Hill continued,  "We are focused on three primary catalysts for future sales and
traffic  growth.  First,  we have been  unrelenting  in improving our food,  and
completed the  system-wide  introduction  of a new menu at the end of September.
Second, we are on target to complete the disciplined  rollout of our "Carside To
Go(TM)" program in all company restaurants by Thanksgiving. Our franchisees will
continue implementation throughout the remainder of this year and into 2004."

Hill concluded,  "Lastly, in mid-November,  we will begin the testing of several
menu items in  conjunction  with our previously  announced  alliance with Weight
Watchers.  During this test,  guests in over 70  restaurants  in five  different
markets  will  have  more  choices  and  flexibility  when they dine with us. We
believe this strategic  initiative  can be an important  driver of our continued
success in the latter half of 2004 and beyond."

Other results for the third quarter and year-to-date periods ended September 28,
2003 included:

      o    Net earnings for the 39-week  period  ended  September  28, 2003 were
           $76.0 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, excluding the $8.8 million
           charge  ($5.6  million  after-tax  or $0.10 per  share)  taken in the
           second quarter of 2003 to reflect the impairment of a note receivable
           that was issued in conjunction with the sale of the Rio Bravo concept
           to Chevys in 1999.  This  compares to net earnings in the same period
           of 2002 of $62.7 million, or $1.10 per diluted share. This represents
           a 21 percent increase in diluted earnings per share.

      o    System-wide  sales for the  Applebee's  concept were a record  $909.7
           million  (comprised  of $222.4  million for company  restaurants  and
           $687.3 million for franchise  restaurants) for the third quarter,  an
           increase of 11 percent over the prior year. System-wide sales for

                                    - more -

                                       3
<PAGE>



           the  39-week  period  ended  September  28,  2003 were  $2.7  billion
           (comprised  of  $650.9  million  for  company  restaurants  and $2.05
           billion for franchise restaurants),  also up 11 percent.  System-wide
           sales are a non-GAAP  financial  measure that  includes  sales at all
           company  and  franchise  Applebee's   restaurants,   as  reported  by
           franchisees.  The company believes that system-wide sales information
           is useful in analyzing  the  concept's  market share and growth,  and
           because  franchisees  pay  royalties  and  contribute to the national
           advertising pool based on a percentage of their sales.

      o    Applebee's ended the quarter with 1,543 restaurants  system-wide (372
           company and 1,171 franchise restaurants). During the third quarter of
           2003, there were 20 new Applebee's  restaurants  opened  system-wide,
           including 8 company and 12 franchised restaurants.

      o    The company repurchased 1,134,500 shares of common stock in the third
           quarter at an average price of $32.15 for an aggregate  cost of $36.5
           million.  Year-to-date,  the company has repurchased 1,679,500 shares
           of common stock at an average  price of $29.63 for an aggregate  cost
           of $49.8  million.  As of September 28, 2003,  $19.8 million  remains
           available under the company's ongoing stock repurchase authorization.

      o    As of September 28, 2003,  the company had total debt  outstanding of
           $29 million,  with $115 million  available under its revolving credit
           facility.


BUSINESS OUTLOOK

The company  reaffirmed  its guidance for the remainder of fiscal year 2003 with
respect to the following:

      o    Approximately  100 new  restaurants  are  expected  to open in  2003,
           including 25 company restaurants and 70 to 80 franchise restaurants.

      o    Overall restaurant margins before pre-opening expense are expected to
           increase  for the full year as a result of higher  sales  volumes  in
           company restaurants and the impact of recent franchise acquisitions.

      o    General and  administrative  expenses,  as a percentage  of operating
           revenues,  are  expected  to be in the low to  mid-9  percent  range,
           reflecting  leverage  from  franchise  acquisitions  and higher sales
           volumes in company restaurants.

      o    The  effective  income tax rate is currently  expected to continue at
           36.0 percent for the remainder of 2003.

                                    - more -

                                       4
<PAGE>



      o    Excluding the cost of franchise  acquisitions,  capital  expenditures
           are expected to be between $70 and $80 million in 2003.

In addition, the company raised its guidance with respect to the following:

      o    System-wide  comparable  sales are now expected to increase by 3.5 to
           4.0 percent for fiscal year 2003,  although monthly sales results may
           be more volatile given the geopolitical environment, current economy,
           calendar shifts, prior year comparisons, or other unusual events.

      o    Based on the foregoing  assumptions and its  performance  through the
           first three quarters of the year, the company has raised its guidance
           for fiscal year 2003  diluted  earnings per share to a range of $1.73
           to $1.75; excluding the $0.10 charge relating to the Chevys' note and
           the  impact  of  any  additional  franchise   acquisitions  or  stock
           repurchase activity.

A  conference  call to review the third  quarter  2003  results  and the current
business  outlook will be held on Thursday  morning,  October 30, 2003, at 10:00
a.m.  Central  Time (11:00  a.m.  Eastern  Time).  The  conference  call will be
broadcast  live over the Internet and a replay will be available  shortly  after
the  call  on  the  Investor   Relations   section  of  the  company's   website
(www.applebees.com).

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 October 26,
2003, there were 1,554 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).

Certain  statements  contained in this release,  including those in the Business
Outlook section,  are forward looking and based on current  expectations.  There
are several risks and  uncertainties  that could cause actual  results to differ
materially from those described, including but not limited to the ability of the
company  and  its  franchisees  to  open  and  operate  additional   restaurants
profitably,  the ability of its franchisees to obtain  financing,  the continued
growth of its  franchisees,  and its  ability  to attract  and retain  qualified
franchisees,  the impact of intense  competition in the casual dining segment of
the restaurant  industry,  and its ability to control restaurant operating costs
which are impacted by market changes,  minimum wage and other  employment  laws,
food costs and  inflation.  For additional  discussion of the principal  factors
that could  cause  actual  results  to be  materially  different,  the reader is
referred to the company's  current  report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  on  February  12,  2003.  The company  disclaims  any
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

                                      # # #

                                       5
<PAGE>


                 APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 13 Weeks Ended                        39 Weeks Ended
                                                        ---------------------------------     ----------------------------------
                                                        September 28,      September 29,       September 28,      September 29,
                                                            2003               2002               2003                2002
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
<S>                                                      <C>                <C>               <C>                 <C>
 Revenues:
      Company restaurant sales.....................       $ 222,429          $ 182,807         $ 650,946           $ 536,673
      Franchise royalties and fees.................          27,594             26,033            82,088              76,357
      Other franchise income (a)...................           2,972                168             8,881                 765
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
         Total operating revenues..................         252,995            209,008           741,915             613,795
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
 Cost of company restaurant sales:
      Food and beverage............................          57,200             47,765           169,086             142,245
      Labor........................................          73,018             60,054           213,186             176,392
      Direct and occupancy.........................          55,869             47,009           160,816             134,172
      Pre-opening expense..........................             576                792             1,131               1,432
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
         Total cost of company restaurant sales....         186,663            155,620           544,219             454,241
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
 Cost of other franchise income (a)................           2,837                 99             8,510                 252
 General and administrative expenses (a)...........          23,589             20,118            69,096              59,361
 Amortization of intangible assets.................              87                 95               278                 285
 Loss on disposition of restaurants and equipment..             116                458             1,314               1,479
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
 Operating earnings................................          39,703             32,618           118,498              98,177
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
 Other income (expense):
      Investment income............................             227                346             1,048               1,124
      Interest expense.............................            (330)              (414)           (1,369)             (1,602)
      Impairment of Chevys note receivable.........             --                 --             (8,803)                --
      Other income.................................             395                513               601               1,096
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
         Total other income (expense)..............             292                445            (8,523)                618
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
 Earnings before income taxes......................          39,995             33,063           109,975              98,795
 Income taxes......................................          14,398             12,068            39,591              36,060
                                                        --------------    ---------------     --------------     ---------------
 Net earnings......................................       $  25,597          $  20,995         $  70,384           $  62,735
                                                        ==============    ===============     ==============     ===============

 Basic net earnings per common share...............       $    0.46          $    0.38         $    1.27         $      1.12
                                                        ==============    ===============     ==============     ===============
 Diluted net earnings per common share.............       $    0.45          $    0.37         $    1.24         $      1.10
                                                        ==============    ===============     ==============     ===============

 Basic weighted average shares outstanding.........          55,556             55,654            55,421              55,801
                                                        ==============    ===============     ==============     ===============
 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding.......          57,184             56,714            56,988              57,119
                                                        ==============    ===============     ==============     ===============


<FN>

(a)   Other  franchise  income  and  cost  of  other  franchise  income  consist
      primarily of revenues and expenses relating to the company's  wholly-owned
      captive  insurance  subsidiary.  Certain  amounts  previously  included in
      general and  administrative  expenses have been reclassified to conform to
      the 2003 presentation.
</FN>

</TABLE>

                                       6
<PAGE>


                 APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASUREMENTS TO GAAP RESULTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

In addition  to the  results  provided in  accordance  with  Generally  Accepted
Accounting  Principles  ("GAAP")  throughout  this  document,  the  company  has
provided non-GAAP measurements which present operating results on a basis before
an impairment charge recorded in the second quarter of 2003 resulting from fully
reserving a note receivable from Chevys Holdings,  Inc.  ("Chevys")  relating to
the sale of the Rio Bravo concept in 1999. The company is using earnings  before
this charge as a key  performance  measure of results of operations for purposes
of evaluating performance internally.  This non-GAAP measurement is not intended
to replace the  presentation  of our financial  results in accordance with GAAP.
Rather, the company believes that the presentation of earnings before the charge
provides  additional  information  to investors to facilitate  the comparison of
past and present operations, excluding an item that the company does not believe
is indicative of ongoing operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 39 Weeks Ended
                                                        ----------------------------------
                                                         September 28,      September 29,
                                                             2003               2002
                                                        ---------------    ---------------
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>
Detail of charge:
  Impairment of Chevys note receivable...........         $   (8,803)                --
  Income taxes...................................              3,169                 --
                                                        ---------------    ---------------
     Impairment, net of tax......................         $   (5,634)                --
                                                        ===============    ===============

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding......             56,988              57,119
                                                        ===============    ===============

Diluted earnings per share impact of charge......         $    (0.10)                --
                                                        ===============    ===============

Reconciliation of earnings before charge to net earnings:

  Earnings before charge.........................         $   76,018          $   62,735
  Impairment, net of tax.........................             (5,634)                --
                                                        ---------------    ---------------
     Net earnings................................         $   70,384          $   62,735
                                                        ===============    ===============

Reconciliation of earnings per share before charge to reported earnings per
  share:

     Diluted earnings per share before charge....         $     1.33          $     1.10
     Diluted earnings per share impact of charge.              (0.10)                --
                                                        ---------------    ---------------
       Reported diluted earnings per share.......         $     1.24          $     1.10
                                                        ===============    ===============

</TABLE>



                                       7
<PAGE>


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information derived
from the Company's consolidated statements of earnings expressed as a percentage
of total operating revenues, except where otherwise noted. Percentages may not
add due to rounding.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          13 Weeks Ended                     39 Weeks Ended
                                                                ----------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                                 September 28,     September 29,     September 28,    September 29,
                                                                      2003              2002              2003             2002
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                 <C>               <C>               <C>
Revenues:
     Company restaurant sales................................          87.9%               87.5%             87.7%            87.4%
     Franchise royalties and fees............................          10.9                12.5              11.1             12.4
     Other franchise income..................................           1.2                 0.1               1.2              0.1
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
        Total operating revenues.............................         100.0%              100.0%            100.0%           100.0%
                                                                ================  ================  ================ ===============
Cost of sales (as a percentage of company restaurant sales):
     Food and beverage.......................................          25.7%               26.1%             26.0%            26.5%
     Labor...................................................          32.8                32.9              32.8             32.9
     Direct and occupancy....................................          25.1                25.7              24.7             25.0
     Pre-opening expense.....................................           0.3                 0.4               0.2              0.3
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
        Total cost of sales..................................          83.9%               85.1%             83.6%            84.6%
                                                                ================  ================  ================ ===============

Cost of other franchise income (as a percentage
     of other franchise income)..............................          95.5%               58.9%             95.8%            32.9%
General and administrative expenses..........................           9.3                 9.6               9.3              9.7
Amortization of intangible assets............................            --                  --                --               --
Loss on disposition of restaurants and equipment.............            --                 0.2               0.2              0.2
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
Operating earnings...........................................          15.7                15.6              16.0             16.0
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
Other income (expense):

     Investment income.......................................           0.1                 0.2               0.1              0.2
     Interest expense........................................          (0.1)               (0.2)             (0.2)            (0.3)
     Impairment of Chevys note receivable....................            --                  --              (1.2)              --
     Other income............................................           0.2                 0.2               0.1              0.2
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
        Total other income (expense).........................           0.1                 0.2              (1.1)             0.1
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
Earnings before income taxes.................................          15.8                15.8              14.8             16.1
Income taxes.................................................           5.7                 5.8               5.3              5.9
                                                                ----------------  ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
Net earnings.................................................          10.1%               10.1%              9.5%            10.2%
                                                                ================  ================  ================ ===============

</TABLE>



                                       8
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                 APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Unaudited)
                      (in thousands, except share amounts)

                                                                                            September 28,        December 29,
                                                                                                2003                 2002
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
                                       ASSETS

<S>                                                                                         <C>                   <C>
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents........................................................       $     3,359           $   15,169
     Short-term investments, at market value (amortized cost of $478 in 2002).........                26                  503
     Receivables (less allowance for bad debts of $4,096 in 2003 and $4,089 in 2002)..            31,778               26,092
     Receivables related to captive insurance subsidiary..............................             2,093                1,803
     Inventories......................................................................            14,114               11,504
     Prepaid income taxes.............................................................              --                  5,002
     Prepaid and other current assets.................................................             9,729                9,506
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
         Total current assets.........................................................            61,099               69,579
Property and equipment, net...........................................................           405,141              383,002
Goodwill..............................................................................           105,326               88,715
Franchise interest and rights, net....................................................             1,220                1,468
Restricted assets related to captive insurance subsidiary.............................             8,830                  --
Other assets, net.....................................................................            18,201               23,350
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
                                                                                             $   599,817           $  566,114
                                                                                           ================     ===============

                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt................................................       $       186           $      377
     Notes payable....................................................................             4,800                  --
     Accounts payable.................................................................            34,700               27,479
     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities...................................            79,478               82,204
     Loss reserve and unearned premiums related to captive insurance subsidiary.......            11,876                1,803
     Accrued dividends................................................................              --                  3,323
     Accrued income taxes.............................................................               457                  --
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
         Total current liabilities....................................................           131,497              115,186
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
Non-current liabilities:
     Long-term debt - less current portion............................................            23,714               52,186
     Other non-current liabilities....................................................            10,188                6,161
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
         Total non-current liabilities................................................            33,902               58,347
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
         Total liabilities............................................................           165,399              173,533
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock - par value $0.01 per share:  authorized - 1,000,000 shares;
       no shares issued...............................................................              --                    --
     Common stock - par value $0.01 per share:  authorized - 125,000,000 shares;
       issued - 72,336,788 shares.....................................................               723                  723
     Additional paid-in capital.......................................................           197,611              187,523
     Retained earnings................................................................           505,005              434,621
     Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes......................              --                     16
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
                                                                                                 703,339              622,883
     Treasury stock - 17,432,947 shares in 2003 and 16,948,371 shares in 2002, at
     cost.............................................................................          (268,921)            (230,302)
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
         Total stockholders' equity...................................................           434,418              392,581
                                                                                           ----------------     ---------------
                                                                                             $   599,817           $  566,114
                                                                                           ================     ===============

</TABLE>


                                       9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                 (in thousands)

                                                                                                  39 Weeks Ended
                                                                                        -----------------------------------
                                                                                         September 28,       September 29,
                                                                                             2003                2002
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>                 <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net earnings...............................................................          $    70,384         $    62,735
     Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating
     activities:
        Depreciation and amortization...........................................               30,091              25,812
        Amortization of intangible assets.......................................                  278                 285
        Amortization of deferred financing costs................................                  146                 145
        Deferred income tax provision (benefit).................................                 (541)                635
        Gain on sale of investments.............................................                  (24)               --
        Loss on disposition of restaurants and equipment........................                1,314               1,479
        Impairment of Chevys note receivable....................................                8,803                --
        Income tax benefit from exercise of options.............................                5,536               1,397
     Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of effects of acquisitions or
     dispositions):
        Receivables.............................................................               (5,890)             (2,380)
        Receivables related to captive insurance subsidiary.....................                 (290)               --
        Inventories.............................................................               (2,454)              3,095
        Prepaid income taxes....................................................                5,002                --
        Prepaid and other current assets........................................                  420              (1,574)
        Restricted assets related to captive insurance subsidiary...............               (8,830)               --
        Accounts payable........................................................                7,300               5,910
        Accrued expenses and other current liabilities..........................               (1,798)             (5,263)
        Loss reserve and unearned premiums related to captive insurance subsidiary             10,073                --
        Accrued income taxes....................................................                  457                 940
        Other...................................................................                  853               1,038
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
        NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES...............................              120,830              94,254
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Purchases of property and equipment........................................              (54,893)            (49,680)
     Acquisition of restaurants.................................................              (21,557)               --
     Proceeds from sale of restaurants and equipment............................                8,579                   3
     Purchases of short-term investments........................................                 --                  (150)
     Maturities and sales of short-term investments.............................                  480                 350
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
        NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES...................................              (67,391)            (49,477)
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Purchases of treasury stock................................................              (49,757)            (26,113)
     Dividends paid.............................................................               (3,323)             (3,010)
     Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options....................               11,269               3,791
     Shares sold under employee stock purchase plan.............................                2,134               1,529
     Proceeds from issuance of notes payable....................................                4,800               3,500
     Net payments on long-term debt.............................................              (30,372)            (39,000)
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
        NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES...................................              (65,249)            (59,303)
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS.......................................              (11,810)            (14,526)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period..................................               15,169              22,048
                                                                                        ---------------     ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period........................................          $     3,359         $     7,522
                                                                                        ===============     ===============

</TABLE>


                                                       # # #

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<PAGE>






                                   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:     October 29, 2003                  By: /s/  Steven K. Lumpkin
         ---------------------                 ------------------------
                                               Steven K. Lumpkin
                                               Executive Vice President and
                                               Chief Financial Officer



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