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Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
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APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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Media Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Laurie Ellison (913) 967-2718
laurie.ellison@applebees.com
Applebee's International Wins Two National Awards for Excellence in Investor
Relations
OVERLAND PARK, KAN., March 30, 2007 - For the fourth consecutive year,
Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB) has won the Grand Prix for the best
overall investor relations (IR) team of any small-cap company in America. Also
for the fourth year in a row, Carol DiRaimo, vice president of investor
relations for Applebee's, was recognized as the best investor relations officer
for any small- to mid-cap U.S. company.
The awards were presented last night at the annual IR Magazine awards in New
York City. Held in association with The Wall Street Journal and Barron's, the
awards celebrate the best performing companies in the field of shareholder
communications. More than 2,900 portfolio managers, buy-side and sell-side
analysts, and retail investors vote for the top companies and best IR teams.
"Applebee's International is in tune with what shareholders are looking for and
asking about," wrote one analyst on the survey ballot.
DiRaimo is "all over the industry and is accessible 24/7," wrote another.
In addition to DiRaimo, Applebee's investor relations team includes Chief
Executive Officer Dave Goebel, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer Steve
Lumpkin, and Investor Relations Specialist Mindy Jack.
"Our investor relations program is built on candor and trust," Goebel said.
"When we talk with our shareholders, our goal is to listen carefully and then to
address our successes and challenges with equal amounts of candor. We know that
in the short- and long-run, the best investor relations program is one built on
trust."
Applebee's has a well-earned reputation for excellence in investor relations.
Last year, the company was voted the "Most Shareholder Friendly" restaurant
company by Institutional Investor Magazine. The same magazine named Lumpkin one
of America's Best CFOs in 2006 and named former CEO Lloyd Hill one of America's
Best CEOs in 2005.
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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 Feb. 25, 2007,
there were 1,942 restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states, 16
international countries, and one U.S. territory. Additional information on
Applebee's International can be found at the company's website
(www.applebees.com).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Applebee's International, Inc. ("Applebee's") plans to file with the SEC and
mail to its stockholders a Proxy Statement in connection with its 2007 Annual
Meeting, and advises its security holders to read the proxy statement and other
documents relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting when they become available,
because they will contain important information. Security holders may obtain a
free copy of the proxy statement and other documents (when available) that
Applebee's files with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The proxy
statement and these other documents may also be obtained for free from
Applebee's by directing a request to our Corporate Secretary, Applebee's
International, Inc., 4551 West 107th Street, Overland Park, KS 66207.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS
Applebee's, its directors and named executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of Applebee's security holders in connection
with its 2007 Annual Meeting. Security holders may obtain information regarding
the names, affiliations and interests of such individuals in Applebee's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and its proxy
statement dated April 11, 2006, each of which is filed with the SEC. To the
extent holders of Applebee's securities have changed from the amounts disclosed
in the proxy statement, such changes have been reflected on Statements of Change
in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents are available free of
charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.