GLENDALE, Calif., Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Applebee's®
Neighborhood Grill + Bar welcomes Stephen Bulgarelli as vice
president and chief culinary officer to head its culinary
team. With an extensive and accomplished background in the
restaurant industry, a mind for menu innovation, and a deep
commitment to guest satisfaction, Bulgarelli will lead the talented
culinary team at Applebee's as they work to ensure every guest has
something to look forward to when they dine at
Applebee's.
"Chef Stephen possesses a unique balance of strategy,
creativity, and team orientation that will elevate our menu and
strengthen our culinary culture," said John
Cywinski, president, Applebee's. "All of this coupled with
his passionate focus on our guests makes Stephen the ideal partner
for our franchisees."
With more than 120 years of combined experience, the Applebee's
culinary team is starting a new chapter of menu innovation focused
on returning to its roots. The team will elevate Applebee's
neighborhood position around familiar favorites with an emphasis on
abundant, indulgent value.
Noted Bulgarelli, "As the biggest casual-dining brand in the
country, Applebee's is America's neighborhood kitchen, and I am
honored to create original and downright good food that millions of
people will be able to enjoy each week. In collaboration with an
already stellar culinary team, we'll be focusing heavily on
listening to our guests to help drive the changes that will further
set Applebee's apart."
Bulgarelli has a rich background in the restaurant industry and
a keen understanding for what restaurant guests want from a casual
dining experience. Most recently, he spent seven years with
Chili's, the last five as vice president of food and beverage.
Prior to his tenure at Chili's, Bulgarelli was the vice president
of culinary innovation at O'Charley's, held two culinary leadership
roles with T.G.I. Friday's and was
an executive chef at LSG Sky Chefs. He is a graduate of the
Culinary Institute of America at
Hyde Park, N.Y.
Bulgarelli's accolades include recognition by Nation's
Restaurant News in the 2008 MenuMasters Awards for Best Menu
Revamp and again in the 2014 MenuMasters Awards for Best New Item.
While head of food and beverage innovation at Chili's, the brand
also received the 2016 COEX Innovation Award
Culinary/Operations.
About Applebee's®
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar offers a lively casual dining
experience combining simple, craveable American fare, classic
drinks and local drafts. All Applebee's restaurants are owned
and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to serving their
communities and offering quality food and drinks with genuine,
neighborly service. Applebee's is one of the world's largest casual
dining brands; as of June 30, 2017,
there are nearly 2,000 Applebee's franchise restaurants in all 50
states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 15 other countries.
Applebee's is franchised by subsidiaries of DineEquity, Inc. [NYSE:
DIN], which is one of the world's largest full-service restaurant
companies.
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.
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SOURCE Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar