Area Charities Win as Applebee’s Franchisee Generates More than $2.41 Million in Support
Schools, groups and nonprofits in Upstate NY and Connecticut benefit from fundraisers & donations
BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 22, 2011 -T.L. Cannon Companies, the franchisee for 61 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in upstate NY and Connecticut, helped local nonprofit groups with more than $2.41 million in support in 2010.
Last year, school groups and sports teams flipped flapjacks, other nonprofits dined in at Applebee’s with a percent of the bill benefitting their organizations, and special fundraising campaigns were held for Make-A-Wish Foundation and Special Olympics chapters. In total, T.L. Cannon’s Applebee’s restaurants hosted more than 2,600 fundraisers for groups, schools and nonprofit organizations.
“At Applebee’s we strive to be more than just a restaurant that does business in the community; our promise is to be a good neighbor and give back to those who reside in the communities where we operate,” said Matt Fairbairn, CEO, T.L. Cannon Companies. “Thanks to our committed staff, the support of our guests, and the hard work by the organizations that held fundraisers in our restaurants, we’re able to support deserving local groups with critical funds they need.”
For the past 6 years, T.L. Cannon Companies was awarded the National Restaurant Association’s “Good Neighbor Award” for its commitment to providing community-based support and fundraising programs. The company also was recognized nationally within Applebee’s system twice as “Applebee’s Neighbor of the Year” in both 2006 and 2009, based on its grassroots support of the neighborhoods where the company operates.
Applebee’s supported groups, causes, schools and nonprofits in the following ways in 2010:
— Flapjack Fundraisers: Offered exclusively to schools, youth sports or
youth service organizations, more than 2,000 pancake breakfast
fundraisers were held at Applebee’s in 2010. On Saturday and Sunday
mornings, Applebee’s restaurant locations welcomed groups for pancakes
and bacon. Applebee’s provided the venue, food and beverages for the
breakfasts, while the organizations sold tickets and volunteered at the
events. Local schools and youth organizations holding Flapjack
Fundraisers in 2010 raised more than $1.8 million for their programs.
— Law and Orders for Special Olympics: A fundraiser that has been gaining
popularity, Applebee’s restaurants hosted two events where local law
enforcement officers traded in their badges to serve customers. Officers
greeted and held doors for guests, served food and beverages and cleared
tables. Applebee’s patrons tipped the officers and the tips benefitted
Special Olympics athletes across New York State. More than $30,000 was
raised from Law & Orders fundraising events in 2010.
— Make-A-Wish Fundraisers: Various fundraisers were held at Applebee’s to
benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters in New York State and
Connecticut. From hosting pancake breakfasts with Santa Claus to the
sale of Make-A-Wish star magnets to in-kind donations and other events,
more than $143,000 was committed to wish kids in the area where the
company operates.
— Dining to Donate: More than 430 nonprofit organizations held Dining to
Donate fundraising events at Applebee’s restaurants. Organizations
booked their events at http://www.tlcneighborhood.com and distributed
Applebee’s vouchers to their supporters prior to the event. Ten percent
of guest checks that accompanied event vouchers were donated back to the
charitable nonprofit organizations. Churches, college clubs and other
nonprofits took part in Dining to Donate events, raising more than
$40,000 in 2010.
Applebee’s also supports education for younger children through the following donation programs:
— School Restaurant Tours: Open to elementary grades K-5, schools can
bring students in for a tour of Applebee’s. While at the restaurant,
students learn about job duties, teamwork and the importance of a clean
work environment. Students, chaperones and teachers can enjoy a
price-fixed lunch, and all students receive a “Junior Applebuddy”
certificate with a coupon for a free kid’s meal for their next visit.
— A is for Applebee’s: An achievement award program, teachers can honor
their students’ achievements, whether for academics, attitude or effort.
Teachers can order reward cards for a free kid’s meal at Applebee’s. In
2010, more than 8,000 reward cards were donated, worth nearly $10,000.
— Bookworm Reading Club: Open to students 12 and younger, children can
record the books they read on a “Bookworm Club” card. Once a student
reads 10 books, they receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an
adult meal. Children also receive a detachable bookmark. Requests must
be made by local schools or libraries. In 2010, more than 232,000 kid’s
meals were donated to local students, with a value of more than
$265,000.
— Cool Credit: An achievement program for students 13-18, Cool Credit
allows participating schools to reward deserving students with a free
appetizer at Applebee’s. Schools can award cards to students based on
their own criteria - from leadership and academics to sportsmanship and
attendance. In 2010, schools awarded 3,700 award cards to students, for
a total value of more than $4,000.
To learn more about how Applebee’s restaurants in New York and Connecticut support and give back to local communities or participate in these programs, visit http://www.tlcneighborhood.com. To view and subscribe to more news from Applebee’s/T.L. Cannon, visit http://www.pitchfeed.com/tlcannonapplebees/9358.
About T.L. Cannon Companies
T.L. Cannon Companies is the franchisee for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in Upstate NY and CT. It currently owns and operates 61 restaurant locations.
SOURCE T.L. Cannon Companies
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