For Immediate Release

Contact: Frank Ybarra (913) 967-4159/frank.ybarra@applebees.com

Applebee’s recognized for commitment to employees, communities

Applebee’s International, Inc. has received the 2004 Heart of the Workplace Award from People Report^TM, the restaurant industry’s leading provider of key human resources statistics and trends. The award recognizes a restaurant company that models best people practices in the workplace as well as makes a difference in the lives of its employees and in the communities it serves.

“We are recognizing your accomplishments in integrating community involvement and service strategically into the fabric of your company culture,” said Joni Thomas Doolin, CEO & Founder of People Report in announcing the award. Doolin also cited Applebee’s for its efforts to retain management and hourly associates.

“People Report believes that this exceptionally high retention of your employees is a result of the culture that you have created at Applebee’s, and the commitment of your entire team to giving back to both your employees and the neighborhoods that you serve,” Doolin said. “This significant accomplishment is clearly the result of committed and focused emphasis and investment in your values and people.”

One of the hallmarks of Applebee’s commitment to its associates is the company’s Heidi Fund, which provides financial assistance to Applebee’s associates who find themselves in a financial crisis brought on by a catastrophic life event. Applebee’s established the fund in 2002 to honor Heidi Tomassi, an Applebee’s server in Olathe, Kan., who found and returned $3,300 in cash that a customer had accidentally left behind at a table. At the time she returned the money, her 4-month-old son was suffering from a rare heart defect and she and her husband were deeply in debt from medical expenses.

In 2002, People Report presented Applebee’s with its Catalyst Award in recognition of Applebee’s efforts to reduce hourly and management turnover. Also, earlier this year Chain Leader magazine named Applebee’s as one of its Best Places to Work and cited Applebee’s for its efforts to retain employees.

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 more than 1,600 Applebee’s restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and 10 international countries. Additional information on Applebee's International can be found at the company's website (www.applebees.com).