Applebee's
News Releases Applebee's(R) Says 'Thank You' to Veterans and Troops With a Free Meal on Veterans Day
Applebee's Continues Tradition of Serving Free Meals to the Neighborhood's Real Heroes Each Year on Veterans Day

Two members of the Army enjoy a free meal at Applebee's, which will again feed veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2011.
Two members of the Army enjoy a free meal at Applebee's, which will again feed veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2011.

A veteran orders a free Thank You meal on Veterans Day at Applebee's.
A veteran orders a free Thank You meal on Veterans Day at Applebee's.

A veteran orders a free meal at Applebee's on Veterans Day, where all veterans and active duty military receive a free Thank You meal.
A veteran orders a free meal at Applebee's on Veterans Day, where all veterans and active duty military receive a free Thank You meal.

A veteran awaits his free Thank You meal at Applebee's on Veterans Day.
A veteran awaits his free Thank You meal at Applebee's on Veterans Day.

A veteran reviews the menu at Applebee's, where all veterans and active duty military are honored with a free Thank You meal.
A veteran reviews the menu at Applebee's, where all veterans and active duty military are honored with a free Thank You meal.

A veteran enjoys a free Thank You meal with fellow veterans on Veterans Day at Applebee's.
A veteran enjoys a free Thank You meal with fellow veterans on Veterans Day at Applebee's.

Applebee's 7 oz. House Sirloin, the most popular item on the Veterans Day menu for the past two years, will be on the menu again. Veterans and Active Duty Military eat free at Applebee's on Veterans Day.
Applebee's 7 oz. House Sirloin, the most popular item on the Veterans Day menu for the past two years, will be on the menu again. Veterans and Active Duty Military eat free at Applebee's on Veterans Day.

Applebee's expects to top the 163,000 Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburgers it served in 2010 on Veterans Day. On Friday, November 11, 2011, veterans and active duty military again will again eat for free at Applebee's.
Applebee's expects to top the 163,000 Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburgers it served in 2010 on Veterans Day. On Friday, November 11, 2011, veterans and active duty military again will again eat for free at Applebee's.

Applebee's will serve Double Crunch Shrimp on Veterans Day, where all veterans and active duty military eat for free on Friday, November 11, 2011.
Applebee's will serve Double Crunch Shrimp on Veterans Day, where all veterans and active duty military eat for free on Friday, November 11, 2011.

A veteran orders a free meal at Applebee's, which will provide free Thank You meals to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day for the third consecutive year.
A veteran orders a free meal at Applebee's, which will provide free Thank You meals to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day for the third consecutive year.

A child reviews the menu at Applebee's, which on Veterans Day will provide free Thank You meals to veterans and active duty military.
A child reviews the menu at Applebee's, which on Veterans Day will provide free Thank You meals to veterans and active duty military.

A veteran salutes at Applebee's, which will salute the nation's military this Veterans Day (Friday, November 11, 2011) with free Thank You meals.
A veteran salutes at Applebee's, which will salute the nation's military this Veterans Day (Friday, November 11, 2011) with free Thank You meals.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. A child contemplates all of the delicious selections on the Applebee's Veterans Day menu. Applebee's will salute veterans and active duty military with a free meal on Veterans Day.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. A child contemplates all of the delicious selections on the Applebee's Veterans Day menu. Applebee's will salute veterans and active duty military with a free meal on Veterans Day.

A family of four visits Applebee's, where on Veterans Day all veterans and active duty military will receive a free meal for the third consecutive year.
A family of four visits Applebee's, where on Veterans Day all veterans and active duty military will receive a free meal for the third consecutive year.

A Marine enjoys a free Thank You meal at Applebee's on Veterans Day.
A Marine enjoys a free Thank You meal at Applebee's on Veterans Day.

A team member and a veteran share a smile at Applebee's on Veterans Day, where veterans and active duty military receive a free Thank You meal.
A team member and a veteran share a smile at Applebee's on Veterans Day, where veterans and active duty military receive a free Thank You meal.

Two veterans visit Applebee's on Veterans Day, where veterans and active duty military receive a free Thank You meal.
Two veterans visit Applebee's on Veterans Day, where veterans and active duty military receive a free Thank You meal.

LENEXA, KS -- (Marketwire) -- 10/12/2011 -- In what has become a neighborhood tradition, Applebee's will again thank our nation's veterans and troops by inviting them to their neighborhood Applebee's for a free signature entrée on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011.

For the third year, Applebee's will salute our nation's military, hoping to top the 1,024,000 million free meals served last year from coast-to-coast. Since Applebee's first began thanking the military with a free meal, restaurants have served more than two million veterans and active duty military members on their day of remembrance and respect.

"We say 'Thank You' with a free meal but this day at Applebee's is really more about creating connections," said Mike Archer, president of Applebee's Services, Inc. "At every Applebee's on Veterans Day, military gather to share stories, meet up with old friends and make new ones. It's our favorite day of the year and we are honored to serve and thank them again this year."

Applebee's is offering a Veterans Day menu including some of its signature and favorite items, including the:

-- 7 oz. House Sirloin

-- Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger

-- Three Cheese Chicken Penne

-- Chicken Tenders Platter

-- Oriental Chicken Salad

-- Fiesta Lime Chicken®

-- Double Crunch Shrimp

Guests will need to provide proof of service, which includes: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, DD214, Citation or Commendation.

Offer is valid for Dine-in only. Traditional sides are included with the free entrees; 2 for $20 appetizers, upgraded side items or extras, beverages, desserts and gratuity are not included.

For more information, guests should call their local Applebee's or visit www.applebees.com.

About Applebee's

Applebee's has approximately 2,000 locations in 49 states, 15 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Lenexa, Kan., Applebee's takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® is a DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) brand, and is franchised and operated by Applebee's Services, Inc. and its affiliates.


MEDIA CONTACTS: Derek Farley DFPR 704-941-7353 derek@dfpr.com Tom Beyer DFPR 480-358-8135 tom@dfpr.com Nancy Mays Applebee's Services Inc. 866-546-9958 nancy.mays@applebees.com Melissa Racer, APR Applebee's Services Inc. 913-529-9374 melissa.racer@applebees.com