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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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