O'Charley's Closes All 47 Corporate Locations After 55 Years
O'Charley's shuttered all corporate restaurants nationwide on September 9, 2026, ending its 55-year legacy as a casual-dining regional powerhouse.
Sep 11, 2026
O'Charley's shuttered all corporate restaurants nationwide on September 9, 2026, ending its 55-year legacy as a casual-dining regional powerhouse.
Sep 11, 2026
Authentic Restaurant Brands lands $325M investment from Trimontium to fuel disciplined regional expansion across five established restaurant concepts.
Sep 11, 2026
Walmart expands restaurant delivery beyond Subway and Dunkin', taking on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub with Papa Johns nationwide rollout.
Sep 11, 2026
California shifts to public enforcement strategy against Dickey's for deceptive franchise disclosures, signaling stricter state-level franchise oversight.
Sep 10, 2026
Paul Brown temporarily steps away from Inspire Brands as Scott Murphy assumes interim CEO role during confidential IPO filing process targeting late 2026.
Sep 10, 2026
Learn how to reduce food waste in restaurants through smarter purchasing, storage, preparation, and service strategies that cut costs.
Sep 9, 2026
Prepare your restaurant for NFL season with smart menu planning, staffing, marketing, technology, and atmosphere strategies that boost season-long revenue.
Sep 9, 2026
Swig signs franchise agreement for 11 South Denver locations, marking Colorado entry and validating its national expansion strategy.
Sep 8, 2026
Complete guide helping restaurant owners choose essential kitchen equipment - covering cooking, refrigeration, prep, sanitation, ventilation, safety, and long-term maintenance planning.
Sep 7, 2026
QR code menus let restaurants replace paper menus digitally, enabling instant updates, contactless browsing, ordering, and payment through simple smartphone scanning.
Sep 7, 2026
Unlock Exclusive Access To Webinars, Events, And The Latest News For Free!
Discover how Applebee’s is revamping its menu and value offerings to meet the changing guest expectations and boost sales.
Photo by Yun Cho
In response to a challenging quarter and shifting guest preferences, Applebee’s has embarked on a menu development strategy to enhance its value offerings. The acknowledgment by the executives of missing the mark and a significant same-store sales decline highlighted the need for a strategic shift to meet the evolving demands of restaurant guests.
John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands, emphasized the importance of adapting to the changing guest perception of value. The shift towards a focus on the total cost of the meal rather than individual item pricing prompted Applebee’s to launch value-driven promotions like the Pick 6 and the Really Big Meal Deal. These promotions aim to provide guests with a clear understanding of the overall cost of dining and offer appealing value propositions.
The recent introduction of the Really Big Meal Deal by Applebee’s, featuring the Big Cluckin’ hand-breaded chicken sandwich and Big Classic Bacon Cheeseburger with fries and a drink for $9.99, showcases the chain’s commitment to providing substantial, flavorful, and value-packed menu options. This initiative reflects Applebee’s dedication to offering diverse choices while maintaining affordability.
Applebee’s continuous menu innovation, exemplified by the introduction of the Big Cluckin’, signifies the brand’s focus on keeping its offerings fresh and appealing to customers. Chef Shannon Johnson’s involvement in testing and launching new menu items demonstrates Applebee’s commitment to culinary excellence and meeting consumer preferences.
The 'big guarantee' promotion further underscores Applebee’s confidence in its culinary creations. By inviting customers to participate in a chicken sandwich showdown, Applebee’s is not only engaging with its audience but also demonstrating its assurance in the quality and value of its Big Cluckin’ sandwich.