Applebee’s is a full-service casual dining chain known as a family and neighborhood restaurant. It’s owned by Glendale, California-based Dine Brands Global, which also owns the full-service breakfast chain IHOP, along with Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
Opened in 1980 by Bill and TJ Palmer in Atlanta, Georgia, Applebee’s started franchising just five years after. The company now has more than 1,500 locations in the U.S. and locations in countries such as Mexico, Kuwait, and Chile.

Applebee’s has started introducing healthier options such as menus under 550 calories and the first cocktail in the industry under 100 calories.
Company Statistics
Global Sales: $4,580,000,000*US Units: 1,536International Units: 106Total Units: 1,642Percent Franchised: 100%% International Units: 6%US Franchised Units: 1,642International Franchised Units: 106Sales Growth %: -0.2%Unit Growth %: -2.1%
*Franchise Times Estimate