Applebee's

Bill and Tom Blackwell opened the first Applebee's on November 19, 1980, in Glendale, California. Their vision was simple: serve high-quality food at accessible prices within a relaxed neighborhood setting. The concept quickly gained traction, expanding from that single location into a massive franchise network that now spans the globe.

In 2007, Dine Brands Global acquired the chain, bringing it under the same corporate umbrella as IHOP. This dual-brand strategy allows the company to optimize real estate and operational costs while maintaining distinct identities for both restaurants. Today, Dine Brands Global operates out of Lenexa, Kansas, overseeing a portfolio that includes over 1,600 locations worldwide.

The menu focuses on mainstream American comfort food like burgers, steaks, pasta, and salads. A standout item remains the signature riblets, small pork ribs served with barbecue sauce. Recently, the brand has introduced innovative items like the O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger, which features a beef patty sandwiched between two cheese-stuffed tortillas. [edit]