4 1 jhelms010203form4.txt FORM4010203 ------------------------------ OMB APPROVAL ------------------------------ OMB Number 3235-0287 Expires: April 30, 1997 Estimated average burden hours per response ....... 0.5 ------------------------------ U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 4 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 [ ] Check this box if no longer subject of Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b). ================================================================================ 1. Name and Address of Reporting Person HELMS JACK P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Last) (First) (Middle) Applebee's International, Inc. 4551 W. 107th Street, Suite 100 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Street) Overland Park KS 66207 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (City) (State) (Zip) ================================================================================ 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol Applebee's International, Inc. - APPB ================================================================================ 3. IRS or Social Security Number of Reporting Person (Voluntary) ================================================================================ 4. Statement for Month/Day/Year 01/02/03 ================================================================================ 5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Year) N/A ================================================================================ 6. Relationship of Reporting Person to Issuer (Check all applicable) [ X ] Director [ ] 10% Owner [ ] Officer (give title below) [ ] Other (specify below) -------------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================================ Table I -- Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ================================================================================

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly Explanation of Responses: FORM 4 (continued) Table II -- Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) ================================================================================

Explanation of Responses: (1) The option vests in twelve equal installments beginning on February 2, 2003. /s/ Jack P. Helms January 6, 2003 --------------------------------------------- ----------------------- **Signature of Reporting Person Date ** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a). Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space provided is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedures.

HELMS JACK P 4