Community Relations

Flapjack Fundraisers are a fun and effective way to raise money for your school, youth sports team or scouting troop on a weekend morning. Applebee's provides our restaurant, food and beverage and some staff for your event but then the rest is up to you and your "team" of supporters. Once a date is booked, each group is responsible for customizing their flyer and tickets and printing them from our TLC Neighborhood website, as well as promoting the event to their supporters and selling tickets. Most groups choose to sell tickets for $5 and Applebee’s only asks for $1 from each redeemed ticket to offset food costs for the event. All funds collected are managed by the organization selling tickets. Finally, on the event date, each group must provide volunteers to help work at their breakfast with assistance and guidance from our restaurant associates. Most groups find this to be the most fun part of the event and it provides students the opportunity to experience working in a restaurant! For more information, to book an event or to check a restaurant’s availability, please visit our community relations web site by clicking on the picture to the left.

Host a ‘Dining to Donate’ night for your nonprofit organization! Schedule a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evening and download vouchers on our web site to distribute to everyone you know! On the chosen evening, between the hours of 4-9 p.m., Applebee’s will donate 10% of any guest’s bill when they present their server with a voucher from your group. For more information, to book an event or to check a restaurant’s availability, please visit our community relations Web site by clicking on the picture to the left.

Our Applebee's restaurants offer a variety of programs to schools in our communities. Classrooms are invited to schedule a "behind the scenes" Restaurant Tour field trip where students can learn about different staff positions and duties, food safety, following a recipe and more! The class will also eat lunch at the restaurant and each student will receive a certificate naming them a 'Junior Applebuddy' and offering them a FREE Kid's Meal on their next visit!

Schools can also take advantage of our student incentive cards. Our Bookworm Club card encourages reading for children 12 and under and offers them a FREE Kid's Meal when they have read and recorded 10 books. Schools can also order our A is for Applebee's (FREE Kid's Meal for students 12 and under) and Cool Credit (FREE Appetizer for teens) cards to rewards students for academic excellence, perfect attendance, extracurricular leadership and more! Student incentive cards are offered complimentary by T.L. Cannon to participating schools.

To support firefighters in our neighborhoods, we offer local fire companies to the opportunity to host a “Tip a Firefighter” night at Applebee’s. Funds raised can be utilized to fund projects, equipment purchases, general operating expenses or educational programs the fire company conducts in the community. On a designated night from 6-9 p.m., firefighters will “work” at Applebee’s taking part in tasks such as delivering beverages, seating guests and helping clear tables. Firefighters will be given envelopes that explain the fundraiser to distribute to guest tables in order to collect “tips” for their fire company. For more information please visit our community relations Web site.

In 2008, TL Cannon launched a partnership with 5 different "Make A Wish" chapters in Upstate NY and Connecticut. The company committed a $25,000 donation to launch our fundraising, with the goal of raising at least another $100,000 through a number of fundraisers our associates participated in during the year. Our staff sold car magnets and souvenir drink cups, held dress down days and pancake breakfasts with Santa Claus, and with the initial donation and a $5,000 commitment from Applebee's Services, raised $280,000 to grant wishes for local children with life-threatening medical conditions. In addition to fundraising, Applebee's restaurants host extra special dinner celebrations for wish children and their families whenever needed. In the years since our partnership began, T.L. Cannon has continued to pledge our support to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, raising a grand total of nearly $500,000. For information on upcoming Make-A-Wish fundraisers at your local Applebee's, visit www.tlcneighborhood.com.

In Fall 2008, T.L. Cannon partnered with local law enforcement officers to hold a "Law and Orders" event, benefiting Special Olympics of New York State. Officers from across the state were paired with Applebee's staff and spent the evening greeting and serving guests, clearing tables and collecting tips and donations for Special Olympics. Over 20 locations participated, raising over $10,000 for local athletes. In Spring 2009 our restaurants held another Law & Orders event, and along with local law enforcement officers were able to raise an additional $25,600! Since that time, the event has continued to take place every Spring and Fall, raising over $90,000 total to support the New York State games. As a company, we look forward to building on our fundraising totals and continuing to work hand in hand with law enforcement to support this worthwhile cause. Please visit our community relations Web site for news, updates and upcoming fundraiser dates when available.