Applebee's same-store sales improve at 2006 year-end

Nation's Restaurant News, Jan 22, 2007

OVERLAND PARK, KAN. -- Applebee's International Inc. reported higher-than-expected same-store sales results for December and the fourth quarter, prompting the company to say its per-share earnings for that quarter would be "at or slightly above" the high-end of its expectations of $1.10 to $1.13.

Systemwide domestic same-store sales for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 decreased 1.1 percent. In December, systemwide domestic same-store sales increased 0.2 percent. For the full year, Applebee's reported a systemwide same-store sales drop of 0.6 percent.

Applebee's said the calendar timing of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day had a positive impact of about 1 percent on December sales. The company, which operates or franchises 1,930 namesake casual-dining restaurants, said it would report fourth-quarter and full-year financial results on Feb. 14.