SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 18, 2004 JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 43-1695093 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (IRS Employer or organization) Identification No.) 300 JOHN Q. HAMMONS PARKWAY SUITE 900 SPRINGFIELD, MO 65806 (Address of principal executive offices) (417) 864-4300 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) NOT APPLICABLE (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) ITEM 7. EXHIBITS. Exhibit No. Exhibit 99.1 Press Release Dated February 18, 2004, issued by John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. Attached as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein by reference, is a copy of the registrant's fourth quarter and year-end 2003 earnings press release dated February 18, 2004. 2 SIGNATURE 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. JOHN Q. HAMMONS HOTELS, INC. By: /s/ Paul E. Muellner ---------------------------------------- Name: Paul E. Muellner Title: Chief Financial Officer Date: February 18, 2004 3 EXHIBIT INDEX <Table> <Caption> Exhibit No. Exhibit - ----------- ------- 99.1 Press Release Dated February 18, 2004 issued by John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. </Table> 4