Applebee's International Reports February Comparable Sales.

Business Editors

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2003

Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB) today reported comparable sales for the four-week period ended February 23, 2003.

Comparable sales for company restaurants increased 3.4 percent, including the 21 franchise restaurants in Washington, D.C. acquired in November 2002. Excluding the acquired restaurants, comparable sales for company restaurants increased 3.9 percent, reflecting an increase in guest traffic in excess of 2 percent, combined with a higher average check. System-wide comparable sales increased 2.1 percent for the February period, and comparable sales for franchise restaurants increased 1.7 percent.

The severe winter weather experienced over the President's Day weekend across portions of 23 states in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest affected approximately 40 percent of the restaurants in the Applebee's system. The negative impact of the weather on February system-wide comparable sales is estimated to be between 1.5 and 2.0 percent. Excluding the President's Day weekend, system-wide comparable sales for the month were well above the company's full-year guidance of at least 3 percent.

Comparable sales for company restaurants for the quarter-to-date period (eight weeks) have increased 3.8 percent, with system-wide and franchise comparable sales up 2.7 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.

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 February 23, 2003, there were 1,507 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).