Menu Offerings That Celebrate Canadian Tastes and Cuisine Include a New Poutine Burger and Three Contest-Winning Entrees Created by Applebee's Chefs from Across Canada
ONTARIO, Canada & GLENDALE, Calif. - September 09, 2014 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Twenty years ago, Applebee's Neighbourhood Grill and Bar® became an international brand and a proud member of the Canadian community when it opened its first restaurant outside of the United States on Pembina Highway in Manitoba, Canada.
In the two decades since then, Applebee's has been proudly serving guests its famous burgers, steaks, chicken wings, ribs, salads and cocktails across Canada, including Calgary, Winnipeg, Ontario, and Regina.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary and express the pride and gratitude we have in being part of these neighbourhoods, Applebee's has introduced exclusive new items to the Canadian menu that celebrate the tastes and heritage of the country.
"The opening of the first international Applebee's in 1994 was the beginning of a 20 year love affair between our restaurants and our Canadian guests, and it's been growing stronger ever since as our presence and our commitment to Canada and the local community has grown," said Daniel del Olmo, President of International, DineEquity, Inc. "Our newest menu items clearly demonstrate our goal of combining Applebee's quality with the desires of our guests. We are extremely thankful that we have been able to provide delicious food to our Canadian guests for over two decades and we're looking forward to many more years - and new locations - in this great country."
As part of this celebration Applebee's franchisee Dynapple Inc. invited chefs and team members throughout their restaurants in Ontario to submit ideas and recipes for dishes they thought would delight their fellow Canadian guests - everything from generational family recipes to new favourite appetizers to cocktail creations.
Over 52 recipes were submitted. These were then narrowed down to 10 finalists and ultimately, working with Applebee's International Chef Mike Futris, the winner and two runners-up are now on the menu and available only in Canada.
"It is difficult to overstate how excited we are to begin rolling out these delicious new menu items," said Chef Mike Futris. "All of the winning entrees were initially crafted in the home kitchens of our Ontario chefs and that homemade flavour stands out in a uniquely enjoyable way. Special thanks go out to our Canadian franchise group, Dynapple, for coming up with this contest and the delicious new menu additions! "
In addition to the winning competition entrees, Applebee's will be adding new dishes to the menu that draw on other flavours that celebrate Canada and are unique to the menu here, including two new burgers:
"As part of our determination to become Canada's favourite neighbourhood Grill and Bar, we conducted extensive consumer research to determine what guests would like to see on our menu, and burgers were far and away their top choice," said Del Olmo.
Other menu items unique to Canada include:
And, guests can choose from new items that showcase Applebee's more than 30 years of experience as a leader in Grill and Bar food:
Applebee's is the world's largest casual dining chain, with approximately 2,000 locations in 49 states, 16 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Applebee's takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® restaurants are franchised or operated by DineEquity's wholly-owned subsidiary, Applebee's International, Inc. and its affiliates.
SOURCE Applebee's
Terry Wills
Wills Communications
310-376-6600
twills@willscom.com
Craig Hoffman
Applebee's
818-512-3626
craig.Hoffman@dineequity.com
Applebee's Grill & Bar brings together a lively bar & grill experience offering hand-crafted drinks and cravable, simple, American food with flare featuring vibrant flavors and real, fresh ingredients.