Applebee’s Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Applebee's is a casual dining restaurant franchise that serves a variety of American dishes, including appetizers, burgers, and entrees, offering a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere for dining out with friends and family.

Applebee's, known as the leading global chain in casual dining, started its journey in 1980 and began franchising by 1983.

The brand, a part of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (previously DineEquity, Inc.), operates under the name "Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar." Based in Pasadena, California, Applebee's has expanded its reach, offering a diverse menu of food and drinks in a sit-down, table-service environment.

As the world's largest casual dining chain, Applebee's boasts significant annual sales, highlighting the brand's popularity and the profitability potential for its franchisees.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Organizational and Training Expenses $75,000 - $82,688
Purchase of Land See Note
Building Costs (Tower II Prototype) $1,721,592 - $2,355,863
Building Costs (Celebration Prototype) $1,254,046 - $1,716,062
Site Work (Tower II Prototype) $168,274 - $230,269
Site Work (Celebration Prototype) $118,108 - $161,621
Professional Services (Tower II Prototype) $123,725 - $143,261
Professional Services (Celebration Prototype) $97,820 - $133,858
Permits/Fees $26,000 - $28,900
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Signage (Tower II Prototype) $1,220,400 - $1,348,864
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Signage (Celebration Prototype) $835,298 - $923,224
POS System (Applebee’s) $12,000 - $17,000
POS System (Dual Brands) $30,000 - $60,000
POS System License Fees $850 - $4,000
Kitchen Display System $1,500 - $2,400
Smallwares $39,779 - $43,966
Initial Inventory $25,500 - $28,000
Pre-Opening Expenses $15,000 - $20,000
Applicant’s Fee $0 - $15,000
Franchise Fee Deposit $0 - $10,000
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000
Initial Advertising Expense $5,000 - $10,000
Liquor License(s) $500 - $1,000,000
Apple Supply Chain Co-op Stock Purchase $0 - $5
On-Line Ordering (OLO) $65 - $200 per month
EMV P2P Encryption Services $1,350 - $4,200
Wi-Fi Services $100 - $300 per month
Wi-Fi Equipment $1,200 - $2,000
Digital Products Service Fee $21 - $100 per month
Server Tablet Maintenance Fee $500 per year
Implementation Fees $800 - $3,500
Menu Management Platform Fee $90 - $180 per month per restaurant
CRM Fee $0 - $150 per month
Gateway Processing Fee $63 per month
Guest Waitlist Management $23 - $75 per month
BOH Reporting Service $200 setup; $75 - $400 per month
Gamification ShiftOne $30 - $60 per month
To Go Accuracy Printer $550 - $650
Campaign/Menu Training $30 per year
Extra Manuals $0 - $250 per set
Operating Expenses During First Three Months $405,000 - $450,000
POS MDM Fee $50 - $60 per month
Total (Tower II Prototype) $3,870,004 - $5,822,933
Total (Celebration Prototype) $2,941,348 - $4,679,442
Total (Dual Brand Restaurant Concept) $1,766,798 - $5,222,865

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Training 

Applebee's offers a comprehensive training program designed to equip franchisees with the necessary skills to manage their restaurants effectively. Here’s an overview of the training process:

Before a restaurant opens, the General Manager, Kitchen Manager, and each Assistant Manager must attend Applebee's operations training facility for a duration specified by the Franchisor. They must successfully complete the training to the Franchisor's satisfaction.

This training includes hands-on experience in one of Applebee's restaurants, ensuring that franchisees and their operators are thoroughly familiar with the operational demands of an Applebee's restaurant.

For new franchisees without existing restaurants, Applebee's provides up to eight training personnel for about eight days before and six days after the opening of the first restaurant. These trainers will instruct the restaurant employees on operating the kitchen, To Go services, bar, and dining room areas.

Territory Protection

Franchisees will not be granted an exclusive territory. They may encounter competition from other franchisees, Applebee's-owned outlets, or other distribution channels or competitive brands controlled by Applebee's.

According to the Development Agreement, franchisees are given the right to develop one or more restaurants within a defined area, known as the "Territory," during one or more "initial development periods."

This right may extend through subsequent development periods if it is deemed necessary to construct additional restaurants to fully develop the Territory.

Number of units

2025
Franchised units

1575

1542

1460

Company-owned units

0

0

47

Total units

1575

1542

1507

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