Applebee’s Helps Haitian Employees’ Homeland - Donates $10,000 To American Red Cross

Doherty Enterprises Inc., a franchisee headquartered in Allendale, NJ operating sixty Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in northern and central New Jersey and on Long Island, recently raised $10,000 for the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief Fund through a fundraising campaign in which guests purchased a “paper apple” for $1 and up that was posted in each restaurant. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this campaign benefitted the Red Cross relief effort. Applebee’s at The Fashion Center in Paramus was among those that participated in this philanthropic effort.

Edward Doherty, president of Doherty Enterprises Inc. said, “It’s not just about supporting our local neighbors; it’s also about helping our global neighbors in need. We have several Haitian employees with family in Haiti so we organized this fundraiser to do our part to provide aide to their homeland.” This fundraiser was part of Doherty Enterprises’ “good neighbor” mission to WOW their people and communities, whether locally or globally.

About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.
Doherty Enterprises, Inc. was established in 1993 and is the 14th largest franchisee in the United States, operating six restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, El Pollo Loco, Carino’s Italian Grill, and their own concept, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates 92 restaurants in northern and central New Jersey, Long Island, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Queens. The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Tri-State Area” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow Our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” (www.DohertyInc.com)

About Applebee’s Services, Inc.
Applebee's Services Inc., and its affiliates, franchise and operate restaurants under Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and is a DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) brand. As of December 14, 2009, there were 2,000 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states, 16 international countries and one U.S. territory, of which 400 were company-owned. Additional information on Applebee's can be found at the company's website (www.applebees.com).

Photo caption:
Applebee’s Serves Up Funds For Haitian Employees’ Homeland…To help victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Doherty Enterprises Inc., a franchisee operating sixty Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in northern and central New Jersey and on Long Island, launched a fundraising campaign in which guests purchased a “paper apple” that was posted in each restaurant. As part of its on-going “good neighbor” mission, Applebee’s is proud to present a $10,000 donation to the American Red Cross. Edward Doherty, president of Doherty Enterprises Inc. said, “It’s not just about supporting our local neighbors; it’s also about helping our global neighbors in need. We have several Haitian employees with family in Haiti so we organized this fundraiser to do our part to provide aide to their homeland.” Pictured are: Assistant General Manager Richard Rosius (left), key holder Rose Vasquez (middle) and Manager Smitty Jean on behalf of the 39 New Jersey Applebee’s that participated in this philanthropic effort, including Applebee’s at the Fashion Center in Paramus.