The casual-dining chain looks to the future after refranchising and remodeling.
.svg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale "Nation's Restaurant News")
It was an achievement against all odds: Over the past five years, during a crippling economic downturn, the company that is now DineEquity Inc. bought the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar chain for $2 billion and set out to sell roughly 475 company restaurants.
The goal — to become an almost entirely franchised chain, similar to sister brand IHOP — was accomplished at the end of 2012.
The company also rolled out a comprehensive remodel program, asking franchisees to invest between $200,000 and $225,000 per restaurant in a badly needed reimaging of the brand. About 66 percent of the system has been revamped, and the remainder is expected to be done by the end of 2014.
RELATED
• Doherty Enterprises acquires 38 Applebee's units
• Appleb...
This content is available for registered users
Already Subscribed?
