FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Laurie Ellison 913.967.2718                 Carol DiRaimo 913.967.4109
Communications Executive Director           Vice President of Investor Relations


            Dave Goebel Named President of Applebee's International;
                     Carin Stutz Promoted to EVP Operations

Overland Park,  Kan.,  December 14, 2004 - Lloyd Hill,  chairman,  president and
chief executive officer of Applebee's  International,  Inc., (Nasdaq:APPB) today
announced that the company has named Dave Goebel as president, effective January
1, 2005. In addition to his new role as president, Goebel will continue to serve
as chief operating officer.

"Dave's uncommon leadership, coupled with his unquestionable integrity, sets him
apart,"  said Hill.  "His  passion for service  infuses his team with energy and
enthusiasm.    Dave's   leadership   style   encourages   innovation,    expects
accountability  and demands  results." Hill also noted that Goebel enjoys strong
support from the company's franchise community.

Goebel joined  Applebee's in February 2001 as senior vice president of franchise
operations.  Prior  to  Applebee's,  Goebel  had  nearly  30  years  of  general
management  experience,  22 of  which  were  in  the  restaurant  business.  His
entrepreneurial  orientation  twice  led  him to  build  his own  business.  His
experience is complemented by tenure as an officer in several large  foodservice
organizations, primarily in operations and development.

In a related move,  Applebee's  International,  Inc., announced the promotion of
Carin Stutz to  executive  vice  president of  operations.  Stutz will report to
Goebel, as will Phil Crimmins,  senior vice president of development,  and David
Parsley, senior vice president of supply chain management.

Stutz,  who has been with  Applebee's  since  1999,  currently  is  senior  vice
president of operations for the company's 400-plus corporate restaurants.  Prior
to  Applebee's,  Stutz was the  Pacific  division  vice  president  for  Wendy's
International; served as regional operations vice president for Sodexho, U.S.A.;
and was vice president of corporate operations for NutriSystem, Inc.

                                    - more -

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When Stutz  assumes her new role in January,  she will oversee all U.S.  company
and franchise  restaurants - approximately 1,600 locations in 49 states.  Miguel
Fernandez, currently regional vice president of company operations, will replace
Stutz as senior vice president of company  operations.  Reporting to Stutz along
with Fernandez will be Sam Rothschild,  vice president of franchise and beverage
operations,  and Tom  Finocchiaro,  newly-promoted  vice president of operations
excellence.

"For several years, we have focused on attracting,  retaining and developing the
best leaders in every area of the business,"  Hill said. "I am delighted that we
continue  to  have  the  necessary  `bench  strength'  to  allow  us to  promote
internally  for key  leadership  positions.  The core component in our strategic
plan remains  `noticeably better people.' Our focus on developing our associates
within a culture of teamwork,  integrity and results  continues to produce great
leaders and industry-leading results."

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
1,664  Applebee's   restaurants  operating  system-wide  in  49  states  and  12
international countries.  Additional information on Applebee's International can
be found at the company's website (www.applebees.com).


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