Applebee's to Build Neighborhood Grill and Bar in Johnston County
Posted: 08-10-2009 : RALEIGH, N.C.

Raleigh, N.C. — The Apple Gold Group, franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas, is proud to announce it will be opening its 72nd franchise location, the 51st in North Carolina. The new restaurant will be located at the Interstate 40/Highway 42 interchange, near Garner and Clayton. The restaurant will open in early November.

Novel Fundraising Opportunity
In conjunction with the Grand Opening of the newest Applebee’s in North Carolina, the restaurant is also announcing it will donate the proceeds from a private, employee-training event held the Saturday before the Grand Opening to a local non-profit charity organization. During the event, set for early November, Applebee’s will host a lunch and dinner for its new neighbors and individuals invited by the selected local charity, offering a 50-percent discount from the listed menu price, with 100-percent of the proceeds going to the charity. Applebee’s is looking for a commendable local charity to partner with and is accepting applications during the month of August. Charities wishing to be considered can apply by calling (919) 846-2577, extension 2356. The charity will be selected by a board of Apple Gold Group employees by September 14, 2009.

“We are constantly looking for ways to give back to our neighbors and future neighbors who make up the communities around our restaurants,” said Michael Olander, president and CEO of Apple Gold Group. “Our pre-opening charity event, designed to benefit a local non-profit organization, gives us a chance to build a special partnership with an identified non-profit organization within the community.”

Support of local charities is an essential element of Applebee’s mission to be America’s Favorite Neighbor. In addition to restaurant promotions for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, every Apple Gold Applebee’s is available to help charitable organizations through its Flapjack Breakfast program. With this program, organizations can take advantage of Applebee’s kitchen facilities and experienced cooks to host a pancakes and sausage breakfast. Applebee’s provides the food at wholesale price (around $2 per person), allowing the charity to sell tickets at sizeable profit to raise funds. To organize a Flapjack Fundraiser, contact your local Applebee’s store manager. For more information about Apple Gold Group Applebee’s, visit www.AppleGoldCareers.com.

About Apple Gold Group
Apple Gold, Inc., one of the original five Applebee’s Franchisees, was founded in 1984 to develop and operate Applebee's restaurants in North Carolina, opening its first Neighborhood Grill and Bar in North Carolina in 1985. A decade later, the company expanded its territory to include Oklahoma and then Arkansas, and currently operates 71 restaurants in those three states. The Apple Gold Group is now one of the top five largest Applebee’s franchises in the world, and continuously strives to be a recognized leader in both the casual dining industry and in local charitable fundraising. For more information on Apple Gold Group, please visit www.AppleGoldCareers.com.