GLENDALE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Applebee's
Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, in a move that positions the brand for a
return to profitable growth and long-term success, has promoted
Kevin Carroll, a restaurant operator
with nearly three decades of experience, to senior vice president,
chief operations officer, reporting directly to John Cywinski, president, Applebee's. Carroll
joined Applebee's in June 2017 as
vice president of operations, and brings a deep understanding of
the complexities of restaurant operations to the Applebee's brand
and will focus on building a vibrant operating culture of
accountability.
Applebee's also announced a new franchise development agreement,
and the addition of two new franchisees, strengthening the brand's
presence in the states of Utah and
Alaska. Both franchisee teams,
Apple Mountain and Apple North, are spearheaded by industry
veterans with skilled and successful operational backgrounds in the
restaurant industry, and both groups are dedicated to working with
their fellow franchisees and Applebee's to contribute to the future
success of the brand.
These new additions are rooted in a comprehensive and
franchisee-supported turnaround strategy to reignite interest in
Applebee's as a favored neighborhood destination.
"Kevin is an exceptional leader and operator who understands
what it takes to achieve operational excellence," said Cywinski.
"He shares our passion for our guests and our strong belief in
culture, franchisee collaboration, and accountability. I know him
well and am pleased to be promoting him to this role."
Prior to joining Applebee's, Carroll spent a successful 27-year
career with the Chili's brand, where he rose through the ranks and
spent 14 years as a senior vice president leading more than 400
company-owned restaurants until joining Applebee's this year. He
holds an associate degree in hotel and restaurant management from
Paul Smith's College and a bachelor's
degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of South Carolina. Carroll started his
restaurant career as an Applebee's general manager in Nashville, and the brand is excited to see his
story come full circle as he takes on this larger role with the
casual dining restaurant leader.
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 the
United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and 14 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; DineEquity, Inc. (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