Seeking support for your next fundraising event? Navigating Applebee's donation request process might just be the key. As a beloved family restaurant chain, Applebee's has become a sought-after partner for nonprofits and schools looking to amplify their fundraising efforts. This guide will help you understand how to make a successful donation request to Applebee's and explore the company's philanthropic initiatives.
Absolutely! Applebee's is committed to community support, though the approach to an Applebee's donation request differs from a centralized corporate program. Instead, donations are managed through various franchise operators across the country, meaning the request process is slightly different depending on your location. Here's how to proceed based on the franchise operator in your area:
When making your Applebee's donation request, it’s essential to ensure that your organization’s mission and event align with the philanthropic goals of the franchise operator you are approaching. Each form provides specific guidelines for submission. Make sure to fill in all requested details thoroughly to submit a compelling application.
Applebee's engages in a variety of community-oriented activities beyond individual donation requests. These activities are part of a broader strategy to support various groups, including families, youth, community servers, and their own team members.
These efforts are indicative of how Applebee's seeks to contribute to and support the communities where it operates, although they represent just a portion of the ways the company and its franchisees might engage with and support local and national causes.
Apart from Applebee’s, many restaurant chains offer food and gift card donations. We've rounded up a list of other generous restaurant chains that are stepping up to the plate.
Additionally, check out our helpful guide to restaurants across all 50 states that donate to nonprofits.
Cover Photo by Nelson Ndongala on Unsplash
Yes. Applebee's supports nonprofits and schools, but donations are managed by franchise operators across the country rather than through one centralized corporate program. That means the request process depends on which operator runs the Applebee's restaurants in your area. Four operators handle requests through their own forms: Rose Group, Scott Enterprises, Doherty Enterprises and Apple American Group.
Find the franchise operator that covers your state and submit that operator's request form. Rose Group handles Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Scott Enterprises handles New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, Doherty Enterprises handles New Jersey and New York gift certificate requests, and Apple American Group covers Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon and Washington. Each form has its own guidelines, so complete every requested detail.
Doherty Enterprises accepts gift certificate requests, and the other operators take community donation requests through their own forms. Because giving is decentralized, what you receive depends on the franchise operator you apply to and how well your event matches its philanthropic goals.
Applebee's and its franchisees have raised over $16.3 million for pediatric cancer research with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation since 2005. The company also honors veterans, military personnel, teachers and healthcare workers with free meals on Veterans Day, totaling over 11.3 million meals since 2008. For its own people, the Bill Palmer Legacy Scholarship Fund has awarded nearly $750,000 in scholarships to employees and their children since 2021.
Chipotle, McDonald's, Panera Bread and Jack in the Box all accept donation requests and offer food or gift card donations. TheShareWay also publishes a guide to restaurants across all 50 states that donate to nonprofits.