FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carol DiRaimo, Vice President of Investor Relations
         (913) 967-4109

           Applebee's International Reports First Quarter 2007 Results

OVERLAND PARK, KAN., May 2, 2007 -- Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB)
today reported net earnings of $9.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the
first quarter ended April 1, 2007. Excluding discontinued operations, impairment
and other restaurant closure costs, and strategic  alternative expenses totaling
$17.6  million  after-tax or  approximately  $0.23 per share,  net earnings were
$27.1  million,  or $0.36 per diluted  share,  for the first  quarter of 2007. A
reconciliation  of  non-GAAP  measurements  to GAAP  results is attached to this
release.

In March 2007,  the company  announced the decision to close 24  underperforming
restaurants in 11 states.  In the first quarter of 2007, 19 of these restaurants
were closed.  The company believes that four of the closed restaurants will have
significant sales transfer to other existing restaurants, and in accordance with
SFAS No. 144,  "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,"
the results of operations,  impairment charges and lease obligations  related to
these four restaurants have been included in continuing operations. In addition,
the write-down of the carrying value of the five  restaurants  which have yet to
be closed are included in impairment  charges and other restaurant closure costs
in  the  accompanying   consolidated  statement  of  earnings.  The  results  of
operations, impairment charges and lease obligations for the remaining 15 closed
restaurants  are  included  in  discontinued   operations  in  the  accompanying
consolidated statements of earnings for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006.

System-wide  domestic  comparable  sales for the first quarter of 2007 decreased
4.0  percent.   Company  and  domestic  franchise  restaurant  comparable  sales
decreased  4.5 percent  and 3.9  percent,  respectively,  for the  quarter.  The
negative  impact  of more  severe  winter  weather  this  year on first  quarter
system-wide  comparable  sales  is  estimated  to be  approximately  0.5  to 1.0
percent,  with company restaurants  affected by approximately 1.0 to 1.5 percent
and franchise restaurants affected by approximately 0.5 percent.

                                    - more -




<PAGE>


May 2, 2007
Page 2


The  company  also  reported  comparable  sales  for the  March  fiscal  period,
comprised of the five weeks ended April 1, 2007. System-wide domestic comparable
sales decreased 2.7 percent for the March period.  Comparable sales for domestic
franchise  restaurants  decreased 2.5 percent,  and comparable sales for company
restaurants  decreased  3.0 percent,  reflecting a decrease in guest  traffic of
between 2.5 and 3.0 percent,  combined with a flat average  check.  The negative
impact of more severe winter weather this year on March  system-wide  comparable
sales is estimated to be between 0.0 and 0.5 percent,  with company  restaurants
affected by between 0.5 and 1.0 percent and  franchise  restaurants  affected by
between 0.0 and 0.5 percent.

In addition,  the company reported comparable sales for the April fiscal period,
comprised  of  the  four  weeks  ended  April  29,  2007.  System-wide  domestic
comparable  sales decreased 0.7 percent for the April period,  while  comparable
sales for domestic franchise restaurants decreased 0.6 percent. Comparable sales
for company  restaurants  decreased 0.8 percent,  reflecting a decrease in guest
traffic of between 2.0 and 2.5 percent, combined with a higher average check.

System-wide  domestic comparable sales for the year-to-date period through April
have decreased 3.3 percent,  with domestic franchise restaurant comparable sales
down 3.1 percent and company comparable restaurant sales down 3.7 percent.

Dave Goebel,  president and chief executive officer,  said, "While the difficult
macro  environment  for casual dining  continued in the first  quarter,  we have
started to see signs that our  initiatives  are beginning to gain some traction.
We are  particularly  pleased with our traffic  improvement  since launching our
Pick `N Pair lunch program in early March. Our key strategic initiatives in 2007
include continued  improvement of our food, evolution of our advertising,  and a
greater emphasis on  communicating  our value  proposition to our guests.  These
long-term strategies are designed to make Applebee's more relevant to all of our
guests with the goal of driving  guest  traffic and higher  average unit volumes
through existing restaurants."

Other results for the first quarter ended April 1, 2007 included:

     o    Total  system-wide sales for the quarter increased by 0.8 percent over
          the prior year.  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 Applebee's market
          share and growth, and because franchisees pay royalties and contribute
          to the national advertising pool based on a percentage of their sales.

                                    - more -


<PAGE>


May 2, 2007
Page 3


     o    Applebee's  ended the quarter with 1,930  restaurants open system-wide
          (509  company  and  1,421  franchise  restaurants).  During  the first
          quarter of 2007,  there were 20 new  restaurants  opened  system-wide,
          including 7 company and 13 franchised restaurants,  and 20 restaurants
          were  closed  during  the  quarter,   including  19  company  and  one
          franchised restaurant.

     o    The company  repurchased  41,763  shares of common  stock in the first
          quarter at an average  price of $23.93 for an  aggregate  cost of $1.0
          million.  As of April 1, 2007,  $239.4 million remains available under
          the company's current stock repurchase authorization.

     o    As of April 1, 2007, the company had total debt  outstanding of $155.1
          million,  with $229.2  million  available  under its revolving  credit
          facility.

A  conference  call to review the first  quarter  2007  results  will be held on
Thursday  morning,  May 3, 2007, 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  Investors  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 April 29, 2007,
there were 1,937 Applebee's  restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states, one
U.S.  territory  and  16  international  countries.  Additional  information  on
Applebee's    International    can   be   found   at   the   company's   website
(www.applebees.com).

                                      # # #


<PAGE>


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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 13 Weeks Ended
                                                                         --------------------------------
                                                                            April 1,          March 26,
                                                                              2007              2006
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       <S>                                                               <C>               <C>
       Operating revenues:
            Company restaurant sales................................       $ 300,108         $  302,326
            Franchise royalties and fees............................          37,059             35,935
            Other franchise income..................................             463                445
                                                                         -------------     --------------
               Total operating revenues.............................         337,630            338,706
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Cost of company restaurant sales:
            Food and beverage.......................................          79,435             80,735
            Labor...................................................         101,748             98,820
            Direct and occupancy....................................          79,878             76,684
            Pre-opening expense.....................................             921                750
                                                                         -------------     --------------
               Total cost of company restaurant sales...............         261,982            256,989
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Cost of other franchise income...............................             373                766
       General and administrative expenses..........................          32,775             35,606
       Amortization of intangible assets............................             128                204
       Impairment and other restaurant closure costs................           6,636              1,600
       Loss on disposition of property and equipment................             370                577
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Operating earnings...........................................          35,366             42,964
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Other income (expense):
            Investment income ......................................             835                745
            Interest expense........................................          (2,606)            (2,554)
            Other income (expense)..................................             (60)               136
                                                                         -------------     --------------
               Total other expense..................................          (1,831)            (1,673)
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations.....          33,535             41,291
       Income taxes.................................................          11,536             13,874
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Earnings before discontinued operations......................          21,999             27,417
       Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax................         (12,532)              (266)
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Net earnings.................................................       $   9,467         $   27,151
                                                                         =============     ==============

       Basic net earnings per common share:
            Earnings before discontinued operations.................       $    0.30         $     0.37
            Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax...........           (0.17)                --
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Basic net earnings per common share..........................       $    0.13         $     0.37
                                                                         =============     ==============

       Diluted net earnings per common share:
            Earnings before discontinued operations.................       $    0.29         $     0.36
            Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax...........           (0.17)                --
                                                                         -------------     --------------
       Diluted net earnings per common share........................       $    0.13         $     0.36
                                                                         =============     ==============

       Basic weighted average shares outstanding....................          73,953             74,147
                                                                         =============     ==============
       Diluted weighted average shares outstanding..................          75,072             75,281
                                                                         =============     ==============

</TABLE>

<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
discontinued  operations,  impairment  and other  restaurant  closure  costs and
strategic alternative expenses.

The company is using earnings  before  discontinued  operations,  impairment and
other  restaurant  closure  costs and  strategic  alternative  expenses 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   discontinued
operations,   impairment  and  other  restaurant  closure  costs  and  strategic
alternative   expenses  provides   additional   information  to  facilitate  the
comparison of past and present operations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                            13 Weeks Ended
                                                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                                                      April 1,           March 26,
                                                                                        2007               2006
                                                                                   ---------------    ---------------
 <S>                                                                               <C>                <C>
 Discontinued operations........................................................        $(19,277)          $   (401)
 Impairment and other restaurant closure costs..................................          (6,636)            (1,600)
 Strategic alternative expenses.................................................          (1,074)                --
 Income taxes...................................................................           9,397                702
                                                                                   ---------------    ---------------
   Discontinued operations, impairment and other restaurant closure costs and
     strategic alternative expenses, net of tax.................................        $(17,590)          $ (1,299)
                                                                                   ===============    ===============

 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding....................................          75,072             75,281
                                                                                   ===============    ===============

 Diluted earnings per share impact of discontinued operations, impairment and
  other restaurant closure costs and strategic alternative expenses.............        $  (0.23)          $  (0.02)
                                                                                   ===============    ===============

 Reconciliation of earnings before discontinued operations, impairment
  and other restaurant closure costs and strategic alternative expenses to
  net earnings:
   Earnings before discontinued operations, impairment and other
       restaurant closure costs and strategic alternative expenses..............        $ 27,057           $ 28,450
   Discontinued operations, impairment and other restaurant closure
       costs and strategic alternative expenses, net of tax.....................         (17,590)            (1,299)
                                                                                   ---------------    ---------------
     Net earnings...............................................................        $  9,467           $ 27,151
                                                                                   ===============    ===============

 Reconciliation of earnings per share before discontinued operations,
  impairment and other restaurant closure costs and strategic alternative
  expenses to reported earnings per share:
   Diluted earnings per share before discontinued operations, impairment
     and other restaurant closure costs and strategic alternative
     expenses...................................................................        $   0.36           $   0.38
   Diluted earnings per share impact of discontinued operations,
     impairment and other restaurant closure costs and strategic alternative
     expenses...................................................................           (0.23)             (0.02)
                                                                                   ---------------    ---------------
     Reported diluted earnings per share........................................        $   0.13           $   0.36
                                                                                   ===============    ===============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


The following table contains 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
                                                                ---------------------------
                                                                  April 1,      March 26,
                                                                    2007          2006
                                                                -------------  ------------
 <S>                                                            <C>            <C>
 Operating revenues:
     Company restaurant sales..............................         88.9%          89.3%
     Franchise royalties and fees..........................         11.0           10.6
     Other franchise income................................          0.1            0.1
                                                                -------------  ------------
        Total operating revenues...........................        100.0%         100.0%
                                                                =============  ============
 Cost of sales (as a percentage of company
     restaurant sales):
     Food and beverage.....................................         26.5%          26.7%
     Labor.................................................         33.9           32.7
     Direct and occupancy..................................         26.6           25.4
     Pre-opening expense...................................          0.3            0.2
                                                                -------------  ------------
        Total cost of sales................................         87.3%          85.0%
                                                                =============  ============

 Cost of other franchise income (as a percentage of
     other franchise income)...............................         80.6%         172.1%
 General and administrative expenses.......................          9.7           10.5
 Amortization of intangible assets.........................           --            0.1
 Impairment and other restaurant closure costs.............          2.0            0.5
 Loss on disposition of property and equipment.............          0.1            0.2
                                                                -------------  ------------
 Operating earnings........................................         10.5           12.7
                                                                -------------  ------------
 Other income (expense):
     Investment income.....................................          0.2            0.2
     Interest expense......................................         (0.8)          (0.8)
     Other income .........................................           --             --
                                                                -------------  ------------
        Total other expense................................         (0.5)          (0.5)
                                                                -------------  ------------
 Earnings before income taxes and discontinued
     operations............................................          9.9           12.2
 Income taxes..............................................          3.4            4.1
                                                                -------------  ------------
 Earnings before discontinued operations...................          6.5            8.1
 Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax...............         (3.7)          (0.1)
                                                                -------------  ------------
 Net earnings..............................................          2.8%           8.0%
                                                                =============  ============

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  financial   information  and  other
restaurant data relating to company and franchise restaurants, as reported to us
by franchisees:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      13 Weeks Ended
                                                                          ------------------------------------------
                                                                               April 1,              March 26,
                                                                                 2007                   2006
                                                                          -------------------    -------------------
   <S>                                                                    <C>                    <C>
   Number of restaurants:
        Company:
            Beginning of period........................................            521                    486
            Restaurant openings........................................              7                      9
            Restaurant closings........................................            (19)                    (2)
            Restaurants acquired from franchisees......................             --                      4
                                                                          -------------------    -------------------
            End of period..............................................            509                    497
                                                                          -------------------    -------------------
        Franchise:
            Beginning of period........................................          1,409                  1,318
            Restaurant openings........................................             13                     20
            Restaurant closings........................................             (1)                    (2)
            Restaurants acquired by franchisor.........................             --                     (4)
                                                                          -------------------    -------------------
            End of period..............................................          1,421                  1,332
                                                                          -------------------    -------------------
        Total:
            Beginning of period........................................          1,930                  1,804
            Restaurant openings........................................             20                     29
            Restaurant closings........................................            (20)                    (4)
                                                                          -------------------    -------------------
            End of period..............................................          1,930                  1,829
                                                                          ===================    ===================
   Weighted average weekly sales per restaurant:
            Company(1).................................................    $    44,852            $    48,087
            Domestic franchise.........................................    $    50,864            $    53,622
            Domestic total.............................................    $    49,159            $    52,055
   Change in comparable restaurant sales:(2)
            Company(3).................................................         (4.5)%                   1.2%
            Domestic franchise.........................................         (3.9)%                   3.1%
            Domestic total.............................................         (4.0)%                   2.6%
   Total operating revenues (in thousands):
            Company restaurant sales(4)................................    $   300,108            $   302,326
            Franchise royalties and fees(5)............................         37,059                 35,935
            Other franchise income(6)..................................            463                    445
                                                                          -------------------    -------------------
            Total......................................................    $   337,630            $   338,706
                                                                          ===================    ===================


<FN>
_______________

(1)  Includes restaurants  presented as discontinued  operations.  Excluding the
     restaurants  presented as discontinued  operations,  company average weekly
     sales were  $45,382 and $48,699 in the 2007  quarter and the 2006  quarter,
     respectively.
(2)  When computing comparable  restaurant sales,  restaurants open for at least
     18 months are compared from period to period.
(3)  Includes restaurants  presented as discontinued  operations.  Excluding the
     restaurants  presented  as  discontinued  operations,   company  comparable
     restaurant  sales  were  (4.5)% and 1.3% in the 2007  quarter  and the 2006
     quarter, respectively.
(4)  Excludes restaurants presented as discontinued operations.  Sales for these
     restaurants,  in thousands,  were $5,243 and $5,573 in the 2007 quarter and
     the 2006 quarter, respectively.
(5)  Franchise  royalties  are  generally  4%  of  each  franchise  restaurant's
     reported  monthly  gross sales.  Reported  unaudited  franchise  sales,  in
     thousands,  were  $917,308  and  $904,644 in the 2007  quarter and the 2006
     quarter,  respectively.  Franchise  fees  typically  are  $35,000  for each
     restaurant  opened.
(6)  Other  franchise  income  includes  revenue  from  information   technology
     products and services provided to certain franchisees.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             April 1,          December 31,
                                                                                               2007               2006
                                                                                          --------------     -------------
                                                       ASSETS
 <S>                                                                                      <C>                <C>
 Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents...................................................          $   15,338          $   22,309
     Short-term investments, at market value.....................................                 295                 293
     Receivables, net of allowance...............................................              40,265              48,224
     Inventories.................................................................              11,677              11,524
     Prepaid and other current assets............................................              17,815              15,310
     Assets held for sale........................................................               5,388               7,633
     Current assets related to discontinued operations...........................               9,494               1,798
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
        Total current assets.....................................................             100,272             107,091
 Property and equipment, net.....................................................             618,812             619,508
 Goodwill........................................................................             138,950             138,950
 Restricted assets related to captive insurance subsidiary.......................              12,900              13,356
 Other intangible assets, net....................................................               6,280               6,408
 Other assets, net...............................................................              35,117              34,351
 Non-current assets related to discontinued operations...........................               3,203              17,590
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
                                                                                           $  915,534          $  937,254
                                                                                           ==============      =============


                                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt...........................................          $      279          $      265
     Accounts payable............................................................              53,270              43,235
     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities..............................              91,974             113,641
     Loss reserve related to captive insurance subsidiary........................               5,714               6,094
     Accrued dividends...........................................................                --                16,299
     Accrued income taxes........................................................              14,034               9,183
     Current liabilities related to discontinued operations......................               1,577                --
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
        Total current liabilities................................................             166,848             188,717
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
 Non-current liabilities:
     Long-term debt, less current portion........................................             154,846             174,920
     Deferred income taxes.......................................................              24,329              24,956
     Other non-current liabilities...............................................              62,391              61,837
     Non-current liabilities related to discontinued operations..................               6,362                 170
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
        Total non-current liabilities............................................             247,928             261,883
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
        Total liabilities........................................................             414,776             450,600
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
 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 - 108,503,243 shares.............               1,085               1,085
     Additional paid-in capital..................................................             267,373             265,122
     Retained earnings...........................................................             782,801             774,884
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
                                                                                            1,051,259           1,041,091
     Treasury stock - 33,942,484 shares in 2007 and 34,393,331 shares in 2006,
        at cost..................................................................            (550,501)           (554,437)
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
        Total stockholders' equity...............................................             500,758             486,654
                                                                                           --------------      -------------
                                                                                           $  915,534          $  937,254
                                                                                           ==============      =============

</TABLE>



<PAGE>


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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      13 Weeks Ended
                                                                              --------------------------------
                                                                                April 1,            March 26,
                                                                                  2007                2006
                                                                              -------------      -------------
 <S>                                                                          <C>                <C>
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
      Net earnings.......................................................       $   9,467          $  27,151
      Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by
       operating activities:
         Depreciation and amortization...................................          17,010             15,361
         Amortization of intangible assets...............................             128                204
         Stock-based compensation........................................           3,335              6,165
         Other amortization..............................................              83                 45
         Deferred income tax provision (benefit).........................          (4,029)             1,278
         Impairment and other restaurant closure costs...................          25,500              1,600
         Loss on disposition of property and equipment...................             370                577
         Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation................             288              1,005
      Changes in assets and liabilities, exclusive of effect
       of acquisition:
         Receivables.....................................................           7,959              1,027
         Inventories.....................................................            (221)             5,104
         Prepaid and other current assets................................          (2,474)            (7,794)
         Accounts payable................................................          10,840             (9,750)
         Accrued expenses and other current liabilities..................         (22,231)           (21,146)
         Loss reserve and unearned premiums related to
           captive insurance subsidiary..................................            (380)            (1,365)
         Income taxes....................................................           1,557              7,624
         Other non-current liabilities...................................          (2,731)                23
         Other...........................................................             236               (191)
                                                                              -------------      -------------
         NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES.......................          44,707             26,918
                                                                              -------------      -------------
 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
      Purchases of property and equipment................................         (20,835)           (30,968)
      Change in restricted assets related to captive
         insurance subsidiary............................................             456                214
      Acquisition of restaurants.........................................            --               (7,962)
      Proceeds from sale of property and equipment.......................           2,496               --
                                                                              -------------      -------------
         NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES...........................         (17,883)           (38,716)
                                                                              -------------      -------------
 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
      Purchases of treasury stock........................................            (999)            (5,171)
      Dividends paid.....................................................         (16,299)           (14,840)
      Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options............           2,421              5,075
      Shares issued under employee benefit plans.........................             922              1,020
      Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation..................             220                680
      Net debt proceeds (payments).......................................         (20,060)            19,445
                                                                              -------------      -------------
         NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES................         (33,795)             6,209
                                                                              -------------      -------------
 NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS...............................          (6,971)            (5,589)
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period..........................          22,309             13,040
                                                                              -------------      -------------
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period................................       $  15,338          $   7,451
                                                                              =============      =============


</TABLE>