Applebee's raises over $54,000 for Northeast Ohio United Way

Contact:

John Reeher, Apple American Group, (216) 525-2775

[Cleveland, OH] [November 24]- The first annual "Dining to Donate" fundraiser conducted by the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants of Northeastern Ohio held on Wednesday, November 12, was a huge success. Through the generosity of its restaurant guests and employees, Applebee's more than tripled its goal of $15,000 by raising $54,185 for the Northeast Ohio United Way. The "Dining to Donate" fundraiser consisted of in-restaurant special events like bake sales, face paintings, celebrity bartenders and servers, raffles, staff donations, along with contributions of a percentage of sales for the day in all 30 Northeastern Ohio Applebee's to reach the total. "Applebee's has a tradition of getting involved and supporting worthwhile causes, but our staff surpassed our wildest expectations with the enthusiasm that they put forth to support the United Way," said Market President, Bob Durrin of the Northeast Ohio Applebee's. "We're proud that we were able to more than triple our goal during our first Dining to Donate fundraiser for the United Way. Sponsoring this type of fundraising event is one of the best ways for us to give something back to the community that supports us. We're already looking forward to a bigger and better Dining to Donate fundraiser for United Way next year."

For nearly a century, Greater Clevelanders have counted on United Way's local safety net of care thanks to the generosity of donors, who with one gift support 186 programs and services provided by nearly 130 partner agencies. Today's United Way also embraces an added dimension, providing long-term community impact through partnerships, including the Community Vision Council. "United Way is grateful to our newest partner, Applebee's, and its many guests, who came together to do good in the neighborhood on November 12th by adding fun into fundraising and helping us move closer to our $50 million goal," said K. Michael Benz, president and chief executive officer, United Way Services.

The Cleveland area Applebee's are owned and operated by the Apple American Group LLC based here in Cleveland. The Apple American Group LLC owns and operates 85 Applebee's restaurants in Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington State and is the largest Applebee's franchisee in the Applebee's system. Applebee's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., currently develops, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar brand, the largest casual dining concept in the world. There are currently more than 1,550 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and seven international countries. Additional information on Applebee's international can be found at the company's website, www.applebees.com