QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section l3 and l5(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of l934

May 10, 2004
Date of report (date of earliest event reported)

STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

333-50437	16-1171179
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(312) 274-2000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Item 5. Other Events.

        On May 10, 2004, the Registrant issued the following press release:

STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
FIRST QUARTER 2004 RESULTS

        CHICAGO, May 10, 2004—Standard Parking Corporation, one of the nation's largest operators of paid parking facilities, today announced first quarter 2004 operating results.

        Gross profit was $15.5 million for the first quarter 2004, an increase of 9.4% as compared to the same period in 2003. General and administrative expense was $8.5 million for the first quarter 2004, an increase of 4.6% as compared to the same period in 2003. Operating income was $4.6 million for the first quarter 2004, an increase of 41.2% as compared to the same period in 2003.

        "The year-over-year quarterly increase in gross profit, along with the resultant increase in operating income, are obviously very encouraging, and indicate that our team's effort in executing to our business model is producing positive results," said James A. Wilhelm, Standard Parking's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are delighted with the net increase in locations under contract, which we view as an indication that our portfolio of services is being well received in the marketplace," Wilhelm concluded.

        Standard Parking Corporation, with approximately 11,600 employees, is one of the largest operators of paid parking facilities in North America, managing approximately 1,900 airport and urban parking facilities in over 275 cities spanning 42 states and three Canadian provinces.

* * * * *

More information about Standard Parking is available at www.standardparking.com. Standard Parking's first quarter 2004 10-Q and 2003 annual report filed on Form 10-K is available on the Internet at www.sec.gov and can also be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the company's website. Follow the links under "About Us."

Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipates," "intends," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "plans," and "expects." These statements discuss expectations for the future, contain projections concerning the results of our operations or our future financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ substantially from the results expressed in, or implied by, those statements. We assume no responsibility for revising forward-looking statements in light of future events or circumstances.

Standard Parking Corporation

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2003		2004
Parking services revenue:
	Lease contracts	$	35,674	$	35,121
	Management contracts		17,969		20,873
	Reimbursement of management contract expense		76,813		87,721
Total revenue			130,456		143,715
Cost of parking services:
	Lease contracts		32,818		32,424
	Management contracts		6,696		8,119
	Reimbursed management contract expense		76,813		87,721
Total cost of parking services			116,327		128,264
Gross profit:
	Lease contracts		2,856		2,697
	Management contracts		11,273		12,754
Total gross profit			14,129		15,451
General and administrative expenses			8,111		8,483
Depreciation and amortization			1,890		1,586
Special charges			97		—
Management fee—parent company			750		750
Operating Income		$	3,281	$	4,632
Number of facilities:
	Leased facilities		295		299
	Managed facilities		1,584		1,600
	Total facilities		1,879		1,899

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION
Date: May 10, 2004	By:	/s/  JAMES A. WILHELM James A. Wilhelm, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

QuickLinks

Item 5. Other Events.

Standard Parking Corporation
SIGNATURES