Applebee's

Michael Archer, President

Applebee 's International, Inc. is the owner and operator of casual - dining chain Applebee 's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. The company operates over 2000 restaurants in over 16 countries.

History

The first Applebee's restaurant was opened in 1980 by Bill and TJ Palmer in Atlanta, Georgia. After the Palmers opened their second restaurant, they sold their company in 1983 to WR Grace and Company. Bill Palmer was still president of the company. 1986, the name was changed to Applebee 's Neighborhood Grill and Bar. In addition, a franchise system was introduced. The first franchisees were Abe Gustin and John Hamra, who opened a restaurant in Kansas City. In 1998, the thousandth restaurant opened. Followed in 2002 by the fifteen dog first store. 2007 was acquired ( $ 25.50 per share) for 2.1 billion U.S. dollars Applebee 's International IHOP. The shares of Applebee's were gedelisted from the NASDAQ on November 3, 2007. After the acquisition, IHOP changed its name to DineEquity.

Today there are over 2000 Applebee's restaurants in over 16 countries (as of November 2010). Of these, 400 restaurants company- owned branches, while the remaining restaurants are owned by franchisees.