(Raleigh, N.C.)—The Apple Gold Group, franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas, is reminding local charities that only six days remain
to apply for consideration to receive proceeds from an upcoming grand opening fundraising event. The day-long event, scheduled for early November, will be hosted in conjunction with the celebration of a new Applebee’s opening at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 42. Applebee’s will donate the proceeds from a private, employee-training event held the Saturday before the Grand Opening to a local non-profit charity organization. Applebee’s will host a lunch and dinner for its new neighbors and individuals invited by the selected local charity, offering a 50-percent discount from the listed menu price, with 100-percent of the proceeds going to the charity. Charities wishing to be considered have until September 2, 2009, to apply by phone at (919) 846-2577, extension 4321. The charity will be selected by a board of Apple Gold Group employees and announced on September 14th. The grand opening event will mark Apple Gold Group’s 72nd Applebee’s location and its 51st location within North Carolina. “We have received submissions from some truly outstanding organizations, and want to make sure others understand that there is less than one week left to apply,” said Michael Olander, president and CEO of the Apple Gold Group. “With proceeds from this fundraising event going to a local charity, we are very excited to continue our efforts to be a good community neighbor.” About Apple Gold Group Apple Gold, Inc., one of the original five Applebee’s Franchisees, was founded in 1984 to develop and operate Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina, opening its first Neighborhood Grill and Bar in North Carolina in 1985. A decade later, the company expanded its territory to include Oklahoma and then Arkansas, and currently operates 71 restaurants in those three states. The Apple Gold Group is now one of the top five largest Applebee’s franchises in the world, and continuously strives to be a recognized leader in both the casual dining industry and in local charitable fundraising. For more information about the Apple Gold Group, please visit www.AppleGoldCareers.com.