After 34 years of serving the community, an Applebee in Kansas has permanently closed its store.
The restaurant ceased its operations last week, as confirmed by Carrie Hellyer, an area director at Applebee's. Hellyer mentioned that the lease had ended but did not provide a reason for the landlord's decision not to extend it.
Applebee's Expresses Gratitude to Its Neighbors as Store Closes
"Thank you for being our neighbor for the last 34 years," a sign read on the now-closed restaurant.
Meanwhile, the diner directed customers to visit the three Applebee restaurants nearby:11000 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, 16110 W. 135th St. in Olathe, and 6800 Johnson Drive in Mission.
Earlier this year, the chain disclosed its intention to cease operations at 10 U.S. stores.
Senior executives have revealed that the brand intends to close between 25 and 35 domestic locations.
The fast-casual restaurant company should have about 1,500 locations in the United States by the end of the year. This store marks the eighth consecutive year during which the brand has reduced its store count.
In May, an Applebee in Shawnee closed its store after 33 years.
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Applebee's in Kansas City
The first Applebee's franchise establishment inaugurated its doors in Kansas City in 1986. By the same year, Applebee's International Inc. had established its headquarters in the Kansas City vicinity and reached a significant milestone with the opening of its 100th restaurant.
This count ultimately soared to over 2,000 restaurants nationwide before the company relocated its headquarters to California in 2015. Presently, it operates under the ownership of Dine Brands.
In 2000, Applebee's boasted a presence of no less than two dozen restaurants within the Kansas City metro area. However, today, the chain's official website only enumerates fewer than a dozen such establishments in the region.
The Star reported on a leaked email from a mid-level Applebee executive suggesting wage cuts in 2022. At the time, a representative explained that this statement did not reflect business principles. The corporation owned over 100 Midwest Applebee's and Taco Bell outlets.
About Applebee's
Bill and TJ Palmer founded the restaurant in 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia, which eventually evolved into Applebee's. At Applebee's, customers always find a warm welcome, delectable cuisine, a cozy neighborhood atmosphere, and attentive service, all at an excellent value.
In the restaurant's ongoing commitment to communities across the United States, they actively support national and local charities and initiatives. Just in the past year, their dedicated franchisees collectively contributed over 32,000 hours towards assisting neighbors and making meaningful contributions to various causes."
The organization is guided by a set of core values that align with its mission and approach to business.
According to its website, they have a friendly atmosphere and attentive staff to guarantee its customers that they are satisfied with the food and services they offer. Besides, they have a variety of tasty comfort food on their menu.
Applebee's Menu offers a diverse selection of dining options, including Holiday Combos, Signature Cocktails To Go, Appetizers, Ribs, Steaks, Chicken, Seafood, Pasta, Irresist-A-Bowls, Salads, Handcrafted Burgers, Sandwiches and more, Sauces and sides, 2 for $25 deals, Desserts, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Beer & Wine To Go, Packaging, Kids Menu, and Catering.
With such a large selection, Applebee hopes to please a wide range of customer tastes and interests.
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