Pasadena, Calif. — Applebee’s recently signed an agreement with the world’s largest restaurant franchise operator, Flynn Group, with the goal to open 25 new Applebee’s restaurants in the U.S. over the next 7 years. This expansion goal is part of Applebee’s development strategy to return the brand to net new unit openings.
“After 44 years as the neighborhood dining destination in America, this agreement reinforces the confidence in the Applebee’s brand from our largest franchisee — and the largest franchise operator in the world — Flynn Group,” says Tony Moralejo, president of Applebee’s. “Flynn Group’s journey with Applebee’s began 25 years ago, and their leadership team, culture and focus on operational excellence is unparalleled. We’re excited to expand our partnership with them and to bring Applebee’s to more neighborhoods across the U.S.”
Greg Flynn, founder and CEO of Flynn Group, adds: “Applebee’s has always been a special brand for us, as it has been for millions of guests throughout the country. We feel the love and passion our guests have for Applebee’s every day, and we’re excited to continue building and growing with Applebee’s, as we have for the past two-and-a-half decades. There is untapped potential in markets across the U.S., and we look forward to continuing to do what we do best: serving great food and delivering great experiences to our neighbors.”
Flynn Group has also acquired 26 Applebee’s restaurants in Florida and Georgia from long-standing franchisee, Doherty Enterprises. With the acquisition, Flynn Group now owns and operates more than 450 Applebee’s restaurants across 23 states.
Doherty Enterprises has been an Applebee’s franchisee for more than 30 years, and today owns and operates 80 Applebee’s restaurants in New York and New Jersey.
Applebee’s opened its first restaurant in 1980 in Decatur, Ga.; today it has more than 1,600 locations in the U.S., two territories and 11 more countries. Applebee’s is franchised by subsidiaries of Dine Brands Global Inc., which is one of the world’s largest full-service restaurant companies. Applebee’s has franchise opportunities available in markets across the country for current and new franchise operators with a focus on conversions as well as leveraging a new cost-effective prototype in development.
Founded by Chairman and CEO Greg Flynn in 1999, Flynn Group LP (formerly Flynn Restaurant Group) is the largest franchise operator in the world, and the third largest operator of restaurants, after only Starbucks and Chipotle, in the United States. Flynn Group owns and operates more than 2,600 consumer facing businesses across Applebee’s®, Arby’s®, Taco Bell®, Panera®, Pizza Hut®, Wendy’s® and Planet Fitness® brands. For more information, visit www.flynn.com.
SOURCE: Flynn Group