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Applebee's Canada company history timeline

1980

The Applebee's chain was founded by Bill and T. J. Palmer in 1980.

1983

They opened a second location outside of Atlanta, Georgia a few years later, and sold the company to W. R. Grace and Company in 1983.

He left 'HoJo' in 1983 and bought the Red Coach Grill chain of eateries.

1983: W.R. Grace & Co. purchases the restaurant concept from the Palmers.

1984

Among Applebee's first regional franchisees was Burton 'Skip' Sack, who purchased the New England franchise rights to Applebee's restaurants in 1984.

1985

He became an Applebee's franchisee in 1985.

1986

Even by 1986, total revenues from franchise fees and other sources were less than $5 million.

He opened his first Applebee's in 1986.

1988

Applebee's major growth spurt began in 1988, after W.R. Grace sold the company.

1989

1989: Applebee's goes public.

1993

During this time, Hamra retired, and Gustin became chairman, chief executive, and president. 'My original vision was that there could be as many as 500 Applebee's,' Gustin said in the September 20, 1993 Nation's Restaurant News. 'Now we're targeting 1,200 to 1,500,' he added.

1994

For the same years, net income vaulted to $9.5 million before nearly hitting $17 million during 1994.

1994: 500th Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar opens.

1995

The year 1995 also saw the acquisition of the 14-store Rio Bravo Cantina Mexican food chain when Applebee's acquired its parent, Innovative Restaurant Concepts of Marietta, Georgia.

1997

Company-owned restaurants accounted for $452.2 million, or 88 percent of total revenue in 1997.

A bombshell was dropped on the company at the end of 1997 when Apple South, now the owner of 274 units, decided to sell all of its Applebee's restaurants.

1998

Announcing the company's first quarter 1998 results in late April 1998, CEO Lloyd L. Hill said the company was running well ahead of its target for the period.

Dorfman, John. "A Pair of Restaurant Stocks Whet My Appetite." Bloomberg News, 30 June 1998.

1999

Sales totals announced for fiscal 1999 showed an increase of 14 percent, with system-wide revenues a record $2.35 billion.

1999: Rio Bravo operations are sold to Chevys, Inc.

2006

Since 2006, Applebee's and its servers have been engaged in a lawsuit over hourly wages.

2012

In 2012, Applebee's partnered with the country group Zac Brown Band on a Veteran's Day-themed "Thank You Movement" campaign to honor members of the United States military.

2015

On September 3, 2015, it was announced that their parent company, DineEquity, would be consolidating its headquarters for Applebee's and IHOP to DineEquity's Glendale, California, location.

2017

^ "John Cywinski named Applebee's brand president". March 9, 2017.

2018

^ Taylor, Kate (November 10, 2018). "The CEO behind Applebee's reveals how the Dollarita played an essential role in the chain's turnaround". Business Insider Australia.

2020

Bill Palmer died in 2020.

2021

^ "Applebee's restaurant numbers US 2021". Statista.

2022

"Applebee's International Inc. ." Company Profiles for Students. . Retrieved June 22, 2022 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/economics-magazines/applebees-international-inc

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Founded
1980
Company founded
Headquarters
Glendale, CA
Company headquarter
Founders
T. J. Palmer
Company founders
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Applebee's Canada may also be known as or be related to Applebee s, Applebee's Canada, Applebee's International and Applebee's International Inc.