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.

Applebee’s Guests to Raise Funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation on Wednesday November 16, 2011

Chicago, N Indiana, NW Ohio, Dade & Broward Counties Fl – Guests who dine at any of the 78 Applesauce Inc./ AppleILLINOIS Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations on Wednesday November 16, 2011 will do more than just enjoy a delicious and filling meal. They’ll also be doing something fulfilling, because 15 percent of the profits from eligible dine-in meals sold at the restaurants that night will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation helping to raise funds for neighborhood children with wishes.

“The mission for Make-A-Wish Foundation is to grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human spirit with hope, strength and joy. The personal and professional time, contacts and contributions the team at AppleSauceInc./AppleILLINOIS LLC so generously gives to the Make-A-Wish Foundation has indeed supported our mission of hope, strength and joy”, Susan McConnell, President and CEO Make-A-Wish Foundation.

To participate, guests simply need to print the flyer at the bottom of this page and bring it to any of the participating locations, (www.applesauceinc.com/locations). They can find this flyer at www.applesauceinc.com/press. The restaurants will make the donation as part of Applebee’s Dining to Donate program. Funds raised at the November 16, 2011 event will help to send neighborhood children on their wish.

“Applebee’s Dining to Donate program allows guests to give back simply by eating at the restaurant – something they probably do often already,” said Susie Hansbarger, Regional Marketing Manager. “It’s an easy, practical way to help, and we’re pleased to partner with Make-A-Wish Foundation to raise funds for a cause that will benefit so many people in Applebee’s neighborhoods.”

For more information on Applebee’s Dining to Donate program, visit www.applesauceinc.com