From the Ashes Rises a Whole New Neighborhood

Valparaiso Applebee’s Restaurant Re-Model is Complete

VALPARAISO, Ind. – (March 28, 2012) – The Valparaiso Applebee’s on Morthland Dr. is serving up a new look and feel. On the menu: a remodeled interior and exterior with warmer color tones, contemporary design; features specific to the Valparaiso neighborhood; service improvements; and new food and drink selections.

A fire in December caused the restaurant to close for more than three months during which time a complete makeover took place.  Our new look is going to provide us a “second chance to make a first impression” says Barry Beshansky, 16 year General Manager of the Valparaiso Applebee’s restaurant.

“We’re excited to be back in business. The Valparaiso community has been fantastic to us for the past 17 years and we look forward to being a good neighbor for many more years,” said Beshansky.

The most noticeable changes at the remodeled Valparaiso restaurant include the replacement of the exterior striped awnings with oversized, contemporary ones that elongate the building and highlight the façade. Inside, Applebee’s removed the pop-culture artifacts and added photos and murals of Valparaiso University, Popcorn Festival and local high schools. Wall images also depict local police officers and firefighters, giving the restaurant a distinctly neighborhood feel.

Guests will also appreciate the changes beyond the bricks and mortar. New kitchen procedures mean guests receive fresh, hot meals faster than ever. Kitchen staff re-training emphasized the finer culinary points in preparing the restaurant’s most popular entrees. The company also re-certified team members to deliver superior service in a way that is uniquely Applebee’s.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the restaurant on April 2^nd at 4:30pm. Applebee’s officially Re-Opens April 3^rd at 11am.

About Applebee’s Services, Inc.

Applebee’s Services, Inc., and its affiliates franchise and operate restaurants under Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and are DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) brands. There are more than 2,000 Applebee’s restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states, 16 countries and one U.S. territory. Additional information on Applebee’s can be found at the company’s Web site (www.applebees.com). AppleSauce, Inc. is a franchise that operates Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, www.applesauceinc.com.

Applebee’s Franchisee Apple Sauce/AppleILLINOIS Raises $1,228,634 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation

(CHICAGO, N INDIANA, NW OHIO, DADE & BROWARD COUNTIES, FLORIDA) – Apple Sauce Inc. / AppleILLINOIS L.L.C. a franchisee of Applebee’s Services Inc. announced that through the efforts of supportive staff and generous guests at Applebee’s restaurants in Northern Indiana, Northwest Ohio, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale / Miami, Florida they raised more than $1.2 Million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^.  Donations this year combined with donations that are part of their five year annual Grant a Child’s Holiday Wish campaign have enabled more than 226 children to see their wishes come true! 

Select Indiana Applebee’s locations launched this year’s Grant a Child’s Holiday Wish campaign on October 24th. In addition all participating locations hosted a Dine-to-Donate on November 16^th, where patrons had the chance to dine with Applebee’s and have 15% of their checks donated to the cause.  Some Applebee’s locations also hosted Breakfast with Santa events during the month of December. The money raised by generous contributions from guests and staff members will grant the heartfelt wishes of local seriously-ill children. 

“We are thrilled for this opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of some very courageous children in our Applebee’s communities,” remarked Susie Hansbarger, Regional Marketing Manager for Apple Sauce, Inc.

“Applebee’s represents one of the largest corporate donors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana according to President and CEO Susan McConnell.  “This year alone, 58 children will experience their heartfelt wish thanks to the generosity of Apple Sauce, Inc. and AppleILLINOIS customers and staff.” 

“While our stores practice community service all year long, this campaign was close to our hearts because our Guests and staff worked together to help us reach our goal of granting a wish to several special children who live in our neighborhoods,” said Susie.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.   Founded in 1983, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana chapter is the largest of the 64 Make-A-Wish^® chapters in the country in both territory and wishes granted.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, Indiana Region has fulfilled the individual wishes of 2,922 local children since it was founded in 1983. Currently, we have more than 214 pending wishes. You can help share the power of a wish^® by contributing financially, donating frequent flyer miles, adopting a wish or remembering the Make-A-Wish Foundation in your planned giving by calling (877) 872-2756.  For more information, visit our website at www.makeawishindiana.org.  

About Applebee’s Services, Inc.

Applebee’s Services, Inc., and its affiliates franchise and operate restaurants under Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and are DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) brands. There are more than 2,000 Applebee’s restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states, 16 countries and one U.S. territory. Additional information on Applebee’s can be found at the company’s Web site (www.applebees.com). AppleSauce, Inc. is a franchise that operates Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, www.applesauceinc.com.