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Applebee's partners with ESPN for NFL seasonApplebee's partners with ESPN for NFL season

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 13, 2011

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar has teamed with sports television channel ESPN for a fall Monday night football “Check-In and Win” promotion that incorporates QR codes, Facebook Places and, of course, watching football.

Prizes are awarded instantly, as well as in a season-long sweepstakes, as Applebee’s invites Monday night pre-game ESPN viewers to scan in-restaurant QR codes or check in via Facebook Places. Once checked in, guests can register for the prizes.

RELATED: Restaurants kick off football season

“This program makes the game-watching experience even more fun at Applebee’s,” said Mike Archer, president of Lenexa, Kan.-based Applebee's Services Inc., in a statement.

Prizes include instant-win Applebee's Digital Gift Cards (600 winners with $5, $10 and $20 denominations) and one larger prize of a trip to New York City and ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., for a behind-the-scenes ESPN Experience package. No purchase is necessary to enter.

“Football season is that rare time of year when people actually look forward to Mondays,” Ed Erhardt, president of customer marketing and sales for ESPN, said. “ESPN and Applebee's are making Mondays even better with the ‘Check-In and Win’ contest, and we look forward to hosting one lucky winner in Bristol for a very special behind-the-scenes tour of the ESPN studios.”

The “Check-In and Win” sweepstakes' grand prize is a three-day, two-night trip for two that includes airfare, hotel and ground transportation.

Read official rules

Applebee's, a division of DineEquity Inc., has about 2,000 locations in 49 states, 15 nations and one U.S. territory.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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