-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 B5sfhbgInIf4tqLDPOzfsp+P1+fG6wGZ1Ji4rYw3SuZFWA5Vrowek/etm4QZwtqV
 84UE8wqfEru/L104MkAeOw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000853665-04-000094.txt : 20040514
<SEC-HEADER>0000853665-04-000094.hdr.sgml : 20040514
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040514133909
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000853665-04-000094
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040513
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040514

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VOLKEMA MICHAEL A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001202921

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17962
		FILM NUMBER:		04806130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		855 EAST MAIN AVENUE
		CITY:			ZEELAND
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49464-0302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6166543000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APPLEBEES INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000853665
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				431461763
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1227

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4551 W 107TH ST STE 100
		CITY:			OVERLAND PARK
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66207
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9139674000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4551 W 107TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			OVERLAND PARK
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66207
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000853665</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>APPLEBEES INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>APPB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001202921</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VOLKEMA MICHAEL A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>37.27</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael A. Volkema</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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