Applebee’s to Shut Down Dozens of Restaurants This Year
In a bid to grapple with mounting challenges, the popular international chain, Applebee’s, finds itself facing unexpected closures in 2023. Restaurant Business reports that Applebee’s plans to shut down 25-35 net locations, which surpasses the initial projection of 10-20.
The closures will be an attempt to weed out underperforming establishments and return to a path of growth, marking the latest chapter in the chain’s turbulent journey. With over 300 closures since 2017, Applebee’s has been tirelessly battling to regain its footing in a competitive market.
Turnaround strategy for Applebee’s
According to the report, Dine Brands, the franchisor of Applebee’s, had set its sights on a turnaround strategy by opening more restaurants than closing them in 2023. However, a disheartening 30% increase in development costs proved to be a significant roadblock, causing a slowdown in new restaurant openings. The sudden escalation in costs, combined with a portfolio review, led to the discovery of more underperforming locations, forcing the chain to reevaluate its plans.
As a response, Applebee’s is focused on assisting operators of the closing restaurants in finding more profitable locations. To manage rising development costs, Dine Brands is offering incentives to operators willing to expand beyond the required amount and is collaborating with franchisees to introduce a new, lower-priced Applebee’s prototype in 2024.
Applebee’s is making efforts to attract budget-conscious customers by offering a variety of promotions and deals. Last month, the chain reintroduced a beloved fan-favorite deal, allowing customers to add a dozen Double Crunch Shrimp to any steak entrée for just $1. Keeping the momentum going, the restaurant chain has recently announced the return of its popular all-you-can-eat boneless wings deal, catering to diners looking for great value and a satisfying dining experience. Additionally, they introduced $5 Sunshine Sips: Long Island Iced Tea & Tipsy Sunset.
Find further details about Applebee’s upcoming plans and developments here.
Caution: 6 Foods You May Want to Avoid at Restaurants
Tap Water
Even with filtration in place, restaurant water might not be as pristine as one would assume. A study conducted by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that approximately 3-10% of water systems in North America have annually violated health standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and this includes restaurants, as reported by the water filtration company, Quench. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find germs and chemicals in restaurant tap water that could potentially affect the health of patrons. Common impurities detected in tap water supplies consist of microorganisms like bacteria, germs, parasites, and viruses, as well as substances like lead, chlorine, aluminum, pesticides, and others.
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Raw Sprouts
If sprouts aren’t properly stored and cleaned, they can become quite risky. Unfortunately, when ordering food at a restaurant, we may not witness this process. Sprouts are commonly cultivated in warm, moist conditions, which makes them an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, according to Health Digest. Recent outbreaks of E. coli and Salmonella have been potentially linked to these greens.
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Drink Garnishes
Bartenders often don’t have to follow the same stringent sanitary standards as the kitchen staff. As a result, the fruits used in drinks are likely to be unwashed, and they might sit out for days without refrigeration. According to Good Housekeeping, it’s worth giving a second thought to that citrus fruit you might be adding to your drink while dining out. A study revealed that 70% of these sliced fruits carry “over 25 different types of germs.” Contrary to popular belief, even alcohol doesn’t seem to do the trick in killing these germs. Good Morning America visited six restaurants and discovered that the lemons were teeming with “fecal matter” and even harbored the dreaded E. coli bacteria.
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Fish
Consider giving those impromptu “All-You-Can-Eat” fish special days a second thought. The fish served on such occasions is often leftovers from a shipment received a few days prior, which means it may not be at its freshest. According to Healthline, fish not stored at the proper temperature might become contaminated with a toxin known as histamine, which is produced by bacteria in the fish. Moreover, Healthline highlights that cooking at regular temperatures does not eliminate histamine, making it a potential cause of food poisoning.
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Bottled Ketchup
Whether your ketchup bottle is already on the table at a restaurant or brought to you by the server, chances are it has been handled by multiple people throughout the day or even longer. Making it a potential carrier of germs. Reader’s Digest explains that the reason these same bottles keep circulating is that the ketchup in each of them is often “married.” This means that as the volume of ketchup decreases in individual bottles, servers will combine the contents of several bottles into one. However, there is a downside to this practice: you may end up consuming ketchup of an unknown age or expiration date, leading to an unpleasant taste.
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Fresh Squeezed Juices
It might be worth reconsidering your choice, just as you skip adding garnishes to your drink. Freshly squeezed juices can be teamed with bacteria, unlike pasteurized juices. A study conducted by the MSU Extension reveals that most commercially sold juices in the United States are processed or pasteurized to eliminate harmful foodborne illness bacteria. However, when fruits are freshly squeezed into juice, there is a risk of harmful bacteria lingering in the finished product.
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