<Page> 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): September 30, 2003 TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York 0-14818 14-1541629 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) identification No.) 38 Corporate Circle, Albany, New York 12203 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (518) 452-1242 None - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) <Page> ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE (including Item 12, "Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition"). See the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 dated September 30, 2003, announcing that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved Trans World Entertainment Corporation's bid to acquire substantially all of the assets of Wherehouse Entertainment, Inc. 2 <Page> 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 thereunto duly authorized. TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION Date: October 3, 2003 /s/ JOHN J. SULLIVAN ---------------------------------------------- John J. Sullivan Executive Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary 3 <Page> EXHIBIT INDEX <Table> <Caption> Exhibit No. Description --------- ----------- 99.1 Trans World Entertainment Company Press Release dated September 30, 2003. </Table> 4