Applebee’s® and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Continue Fight Against Childhood Cancer

Rhea-AI Summary

Applebee’s restaurants nationwide are celebrating the 18th consecutive year of fundraising for pediatric cancer research through a partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. From now until August 21, 2022, Applebee’s will donate 25 cents from every lemonade sold on National Lemonade Day (August 20). Since 2005, the initiative has raised over $13.2 million for ALSF. Guests can also support the cause by purchasing digital lemons or making online donations. Applebee’s aims to bolster support for pediatric cancer research amid ongoing funding challenges.

Positive

• Applebee’s has raised over $13.2 million for pediatric cancer research since 2005.
• The campaign increases community engagement and brand visibility.

Negative

• The fundraising campaign relies heavily on customer participation and may not meet expectations.
• Pediatric cancer research continues to be vastly underfunded.

For the 18^th consecutive year, Applebee’s restaurants across the United States will rally the Neighborhood to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and family support programs; Applebee’s to donate 25 cents from each lemonade sold on National Lemonade Day to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Starting today, Applebee’s restaurants across the country have transformed into “lemonade stands,” in celebration of Applebee’s annual fundraising campaign with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research and family support programs. Now through August 21, Applebee’s invites guests to join in the fight to end pediatric cancer.

Applebee’s® and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Continue Fight Against Childhood Cancer (Photo: Business Wire)

Since 2005, Applebee’s restaurants across the country have collectively raised more than $13.2 million for ALSF and its mission and look to make a bigger impact this year with the help of the Neighborhood.

Guests can support the cause in a variety of ways, including purchasing a digital lemon in increments of $1 and $5 on Applebees.com or the Applebee’s mobile app,* making an online donation when purchasing a gift card on Applebees.com, or by celebrating National Lemonade Day with Applebee’s!

On National Lemonade Day, August 20, guests can purchase a lemonade or fruit flavored lemonade at a neighborhood Applebee’s, and 25 cents from each lemonade will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Contact your local restaurant to learn more.

“We’re honored to continue our long-standing partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to help in the fight against pediatric cancer,” said John Cywinski, Applebee’s President. “Over the past 18 years, together with our restaurant partners and guests, we’ve raised more than $13 million – but we know the fight continues, and we hope to raise even more in 2022.”

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was established in 2005 to continue the mission of four-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott. While fighting her own battle against cancer, Alex set up a lemonade stand in her front yard to raise money for “doctors to find a cure” for all pediatric cancers. One in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they turn 20¹ and yet pediatric cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded.

“After 18 years, Applebee’s continues to be a loyal partner who has shown tremendous support of our core mission,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom and Co-Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “After all these years, the fight continues, and we’re excited to give Applebee’s restaurants and customers even more opportunities to help kids fighting cancer. We are so grateful to be a part of a community that comes together in support of these families.”

For more than 40 years, Applebee’s restaurants remain committed to Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood^®. Local restaurants make a positive impact on the communities around them throughout the year by hosting hundreds of events or fundraisers in their restaurants, whether to help local heroes and military, support children and schools, raise funds for local charities that help neighbors, or even to help their own team members who may be in need. In addition to these local efforts, for the past 14 years, Applebee’s and its franchisees have thanked veterans and active military on Veterans Day by serving nearly 11 million free meals. Together, Applebee’s donates millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood each year.

*Participation and activities may vary by restaurant location.

About Applebee’s^®

As one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar serves as America’s kitchen table, offering guests a lively dining experience that combines simple, craveable American fare with classic drinks and local drafts. Applebee’s makes it easy for family and friends to connect with one another, whether it’s in a dining room or in the comfort of a living room, Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood™ is a familiar and affordable escape from the everyday. Applebee’s restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to more than serving great food, but also building up the communities that we call home. From raising money for local charities to hosting community fundraisers, Applebee’s is always Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood^®. Applebee’s franchise and company-operated operations consisted of 1,676 Applebee’s restaurants in the United States, two U.S. territories and 11 countries outside the United States as of March 31, 2022. This number does not include two domestic Applebee’s ghost kitchens (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders) and eight Applebee’s international ghost kitchens. Applebee’s is franchised by subsidiaries of Dine Brands Global Inc. [NYSE: DIN], which is one of the world’s largest full-service restaurant companies.

Follow us:
Instagram: @applebees
Twitter: @applebees
Facebook: www.facebook.com/applebees
For media inquiries, email us at mediarelations@applebees.com

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. Her spirit and determination inspired others to support her cause, and when she passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement. Today, ALSF is one of the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the U.S. and Canada raising more than $250 million so far, funding over 1,000 research projects and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," "should," “could,” "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of general economic conditions; the Company's indebtedness; risk of future impairment charges; trading volatility and the price of the Company’s common stock; the Company's results in any given period differing from guidance provided to the public; the highly competitive nature of the restaurant business; the Company's business strategy failing to achieve anticipated results; risks associated with the restaurant industry; risks associated with locations of current and future restaurants; rising costs for food commodities and utilities; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food; ineffective marketing and guest relationship initiatives and use of social media; changing health or dietary preferences; our engagement in business in foreign markets; harm to our brands' reputation; litigation; fourth-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; environmental liability; liability relating to employees; failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations; failure to effectively implement restaurant development plans; our dependence upon our franchisees; concentration of Applebee's franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; credit risk from IHOP franchisees operating under our previous business model; termination or non-renewal of franchise agreements; franchisees breaching their franchise agreements; insolvency proceedings involving franchisees; changes in the number and quality of franchisees; inability of franchisees to fund capital expenditures; heavy dependence on information technology; the occurrence of cyber incidents or a deficiency in our cybersecurity; failure to execute on a business continuity plan; inability to attract and retain talented employees; risks associated with retail brand initiatives; failure of our internal controls; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.

¹ Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2014, American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/research/cancerfactsstatistics/cancerfactsfigures2014/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005195/en/

mediarelations@applebees.com

Source: Applebee’s

FAQ

What is Applebee's fundraising campaign for pediatric cancer research?

Applebee's is raising funds for pediatric cancer research through a partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, donating 25 cents from each lemonade sold on National Lemonade Day.

How much has Applebee's raised for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation?

Since 2005, Applebee’s has raised over $13.2 million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to support pediatric cancer research.

When is National Lemonade Day?

National Lemonade Day is celebrated on August 20, during which Applebee's donates a portion of lemonade sales to pediatric cancer research.

How can I participate in Applebee's fundraising efforts?

You can participate by purchasing lemonade at Applebee’s or by buying digital lemons on Applebee’s website and mobile app.

What is the goal of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation?

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation aims to fund pediatric cancer research and provide support programs for affected families.