Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations on Long Island, NY; New Jersey; Florida; and Georgia announced today the commencement of its 25th annual Toys for Tots® campaign which distributes new toys to underprivileged children each year during the holiday season.
Each year, Doherty-owned Applebee’s® locations in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York support the Toys for Tots® Foundation by coming up with unique and fun donation opportunities for their guests to join. For the 25th anniversary this year, special elements and events have been added to the fundraising campaign to help reach a goal of $5.5 million in total donations since 1998.
One hundred percent of the collected contributions will be donated directly to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots® program – so that new toys can be distributed to deserving area families.
The campaign will run from November 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Guests will be able to participate by purchasing “paper gift” donations that will be hung throughout the restaurants, donating their change by rounding up their check or making separate cash donations to help show their support for the cause. Additionally, a portion of proceeds from holiday-inspired cocktails like ‘Mucho Jack’ and ‘Jingle & Mucho Cranberry Margarita,’ will be donated to the cause.
Special anniversary festivities include a limited-edition golden ‘25th Anniversary’ gift pack that guests can purchase by donating $25 or more. For every generous $25+ donation, guests will have the chance to join the festivities by ringing sleigh bells, and at select locations they may even be serenaded with a joyful holiday carol from Applebee’s team members. Additional activations include a ’25 Days of Deals’ calendar housed with daily promotions each day as well as Breakfast with Santa events in various Applebee’s locations throughout December. In the spirit of giving, 10% of guest sales will be donated for customers who participate by wearing an Ugly Sweater on National Ugly Sweater Day, which falls on December 15th.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Toys for Tots® for the 25th year and are honored to support underserved children in our local communities during the holiday season year after year,” said Kurt Pahlitzsch, Doherty’s Vice President of Operations. “Our commitment to this cause is a reflection of our dedication to the community, and we love bringing joy to children in need as well as adding festive elements of fun for our guests.”
Since its inception, Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s® restaurants have generated more than $5.2 million through their Toys for Tots® fundraising campaign to benefit local communities.
About Applebee’s®
As one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar serves as America’s kitchen table, offering guests a lively dining experience that combines simple, craveable American fare with classic drinks and local drafts. Applebee’s® makes it easy for family and friends to connect with one another, whether it’s in a dining room or in the comfort of a living room, Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood
About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates more than 160 restaurants in New York and New Jersey, including five restaurant concepts: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex and its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. In addition, Doherty Enterprises is also a franchisee of Sola Salon Studios with 13 locations in Staten Island and New Jersey.
Doherty Enterprises is ranked 25th in Top 200 Franchisees in the United States by Restaurant Finance Monitor, is recognized as the 77th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States by Nation’s Restaurant News, the 73rd largest privately held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business, and 34th largest privately held company in New Jersey by NJBIZ.
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.” Doherty Enterprises has also been lending a helping hand to team members and their immediate families when financially burdened through the WOW a Friend Foundation. To date, the foundation has assisted more than 4,00 people and donated over $5.3 million directly back to those in need. (www.DohertyInc.com).
