Applebee’s in Clark to Open on July 20th, 2015
APPLEBEE’S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR TO OPEN ITS NEW CLARK LOCATION ON JULY 20
New Clark Commons Restaurant Features Community Theme and Outdoor Patio with Bar
Doherty Enterprises, Inc., one of the largest casual dining restaurant franchisees in the United States, operators of over 150 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Florida and Georgia, today announced that it will open its newest New Jersey restaurant located in Clark Commons at 1255 Raritan Road in Clark, NJ, on Monday, July 20. The restaurant will unveil its warm and welcoming atmosphere at the grand opening event, where “Apple” and “Bee” will greet guests and take photos with kids.
The new Applebee’s will feature a community-themed look that focuses on education, non-profit organizations and first responders in the Clark area, with wall decor consisting of photos from local high schools and youth sports programs, emergency responders and community groups. Some of the local schools and organizations to be featured include Arthur L. Johnson High School, Mother Seton Regional High School, Union County Vocational Technical High School, Rahway High School, Clark Little League, Clark Girls Softball League, Clark Pop Warner, Clark Recreation Youth Sports, Clark Historical Society, Boy Scouts Troop 145 and the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA.
“We’re very happy to announce the opening of our new Applebee’s in Clark,” said Kevin Coughlin, director of operations, Applebee’s New Jersey. “The restaurant will feature the brand’s evolved look – inside and outside the restaurant – along with its elevated flavor profile, so we’re confident the people in and around Clark will enjoy dining at Applebee’s in Clark Commons. We look forward to serving, meeting and supporting the people and organizations in the community.”
The newly built Clark Applebee’s encompasses a 6,317 square-foot design accommodating seating for over 121 people. The location also boasts a 680 square-foot brickyard outdoor patio, which will be heated and features a fire pit for outdoor seating all year round, along with an indoor and outdoor bar serving a variety of specialty drinks and beers ranging from neighborhood favorites to craft brews on its 22 tap handles. Additional features include 24 flat panel TV screens – 18 inside and 6 outside – for guests to cheer on their favorite sports teams.
Taste the Change Giveaway Offer
The Clark Applebee’s will open just in time for guests to enjoy free sampler plates of its popular new Sriracha Shrimp and Churro S’Mores appetizers on Tuesday, July 21. To celebrate its 35th year, Applebee’s restaurants nationwide are marking the occasion by showcasing its new and improved menu of craveable bar-and-grill classics. The offer is available to dine-in guests all day, with the option of adding other new appetizers at low sampler prices.
Summer Sangrias Special
To beat the summer heat, guests can enjoy Sangria specials all day every Wednesday throughout the summer. The special includes $5 Summer Sangrias by the glass and $10 Summer Sangria pitchers, available in Berry, White Peach, and Red Apple.
Community Connections
Doherty Enterprises is committed to being involved in the communities it serves by giving back to local causes and supporting education. Each Doherty restaurant stays engaged in its neighborhood and, through donations, fundraisers, sponsorships and participation in community events, helps local organizations grow and flourish.
In 2014, restaurant employees across all eight of Doherty Enterprises restaurant concepts enthusiastically volunteered their time to participate in more than 3,880 community activities, events and projects. Through their participation and support, Doherty restaurants have helped their communities raise over $5 million in financial contributions and donated an additional $3.3 million to support local causes and charity organizations.
One way that Doherty supports education in the community is through its “A is for Applebee’s” program, which was created for teachers, libraries and scout leaders to use as an incentive for children to succeed and be rewarded. The program gives children an incentive to go the extra mile to help other students, read more books and make the Honor Roll. By obtaining the certificate from Applebee’s, children gain a sense of accomplishment.
For more information about how Doherty Enterprises and its restaurants support local communities, or to get involved in one of the youth programs, visit www.dohertyinc.com/community-connection.
In New Jersey, Applebee’s is located in Brick, Bridgewater, Butler, Clark, Clifton, East Hanover, Edison, Flemington, Garfield, Hackensack, Hackettstown, Hillsborough, Howell, Jersey City, Jersey Gardens, Kearny, Lacey, Linden, Manahawkin, Manalapan, Manchester, Middletown, Milltown, Mt. Olive, Newark, Newton, North Bergen, Northvale, Ocean, Paramus, Parsippany, Phillipsburg, Piscataway, Rockaway, Tinton Falls, Toms River, Totowa, Union, Wall and Woodbridge.
About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises, Inc. is recognized as the 68th largest privately-held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business and the 10th largest franchisee in the United States as ranked in the Restaurant Finance Monitor, operating eight restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Quaker Steak & Lube, Noodles & Company, IHOP, and two of their own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas. In 2015, Nation’s Restaurant News ranked Doherty Enterprises as the 78th largest U.S. Foodservice revenue company, up from 85 in 2014. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates over 150 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Florida and Georgia. The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow Our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” (www.DohertyInc.com)
About Applebee’s
Applebee’s is the world’s largest casual dining chain, with more than 2,000 locations in 49 states, 16 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Applebee’s offers a lively bar & grill experience with an array of flavorful, hand-crafted drinks, appetizers and entrees that constantly evolve. Applebee’s Grill & Bar® restaurants are franchised or operated by DineEquity, Inc.’s DIN, +0.01%wholly-owned subsidiary, Applebee’s International, Inc. and its affiliates.
