History of Applebee's

1980 – Come on in! Bill and T.J. Palmer open T.J. Applebee’s® Rx for Edibles & Elixirs® in Decatur, GA.

1983 – The Palmers sell the Applebee's concept to W.R. Grace and Company. 

1986 – Call us Applebee’s - Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar. Abe Gustin and John Hamra open their first Applebee’s franchise in Kansas City, MO under the restaurant’s new name.

1988 – Kansas City’s dynamic duo, Abe Gustin and John Hamra, buy Applebee’s from W.R. Grace and Company.

1989 – Applebee’s goes public and opens its 100th restaurant in Nashville, TN.

1992 – Here’s to beer! Applebee’s introduces the now signature Brewtus® Glass which keeps beer colder and more flavorful nationwide.

1994 – O Canada! Applebee’s opens the first restaurant outside of the United States in Winnipeg, MB.

1998 – Applebee's® opens its 1,000th restaurant in Aurora, CO.

2000 – Applebee’s introduces a new menu, launches its now iconic tagline Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood™, and expands its footprint to Latin America and the Middle East.

2002 – Applebee’s opens its 1,500th restaurant in LaGrange, GA. In honor of a Kansas City server, The Heidi Fund is created to help Applebee’s Team Members in need.

2004 – Applebee’s introduces Carside To Go pickup service, which includes designated parking spots for guests to wait in while a Team Member brings their order to their car.

2005 – Select Applebee’s franchisees begin – what is now a longstanding national - partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to join fight against pediatric cancer.

2007 – Applebee's opens its first location in China. Applebee's Services, Inc. is purchased in November by IHOP Corp., creating the largest full-service restaurant company in the world.

2008 – Participating Applebee’s locations begin the now longstanding national tradition, of providing a complimentary entrée to all veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. Applebee's becomes part of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN)

2013 – Applebee’s announces the installation of 100,000 tablets at 1,800+ locations by the end of 2014.

2015 – Applebee’s is now 100 percent franchise owned.

2016 – Applebee’s opens its first restaurant in Hawaii – officially bringing Applebee’s to all 50 states in America! This is in addition to Puerto Rico, Guam and 13 countries. Applebee’s moves its corporate headquarters to Glendale, CA.

2017 – Applebee’s introduces the DOLLARITA®, a $1 margarita as the first Neighborhood Drink of the Month.

2018 – Applebee’s brings back riblets and depletes the U.S. riblet supply within the first three weeks of the year! Due to a massive sales increase, Applebee’s outperforms every segment of the restaurant industry.

2019 – Applebee’s launches nationwide delivery and catering, further expanding its To Go business.

 

 2021 – Applebee's and franchisee Neighborhood Restaurant Partners establish the Bill Palmer Legacy Scholarship Fund to honor late Applebee’s founder, Bill Palmer, and support higher education for Applebee’s Team Members and their children.

Viral song ‘Fancy Like’ by Walker Hayes takes over internet and is integrated in Applebee’s advertising following COVID-19 Pandemic.

2022 – Applebee’s debuts first To Go Pickup Window. Guests can drive up to a designated window to receive To Go order previously placed online or through the Applebee’s Mobile App.

2023 – Applebee’s moves corporate headquarters to Pasadena, CA.