He has served in the role since January 2023
Tony Moralejo is stepping down as Applebee’s president, effective March 4, parent company Dine Brands announced Wednesday afternoon. Dine Brands chief executive officer John Peyton will serve as interim president until a replacement is found, while Moralejo will serve as an advisor to the company through June 4.
"Tony and I share a deep respect for the DNA of Applebee’s and we are all grateful for his contributions since he took on this role two years ago. He has navigated a challenging economic environment, led an outstanding team, and strengthened our relationships with franchisees. I’m incredibly thankful for his leadership — he embodies what great leadership looks like. I look forward to building on his work and accelerating our plans to grow the brand and achieve superior results," Peyton said in a statement.
Moralejo was promoted to president in January 2023 after serving as president of Dine Brands’ international and global development since 2020, guiding that team through the pandemic. Prior to Dine Brands, which also owns IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Moralejo served as executive vice president for international business and global development at Church’s Chicken and its international brand, Texas Chicken, and worked for more than 18 years for Burger King in various leadership roles.
"It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve as President of this exceptional brand. Leading this remarkable team and working alongside our dedicated franchise partners over the past two years has been an incredible experience," Moralejo said in a statement.
Applebee’s has experienced several quarters of declining same-store sales and adjusted its value strategy during the latter part of 2024 after losing market share to casual dining peers, including Chili’s. Last week, Dine Brands announced it was laying off about 9% of its corporate workforce in Pasadena, Calif.
The company has initiated a nationwide search for a new leader for Applebee’s with proven expertise in brand stewardship, restaurant operations and marketing. In the meantime, Peyton will oversee the brand, collaborating with the executive team and franchisees to capitalize on growth opportunities across key areas, including digital experience, menu innovation, in-restaurant dining, off-premises, and domestic expansion.
Peyton joined Dine Brands in January 2021 as CEO. Prior, he served as president and CEO of Realogy Franchise Group, following a 17-year tenure as a senior executive at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
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