GLENDALE, Calif., Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Applebee's® Neighborhood Grill + Bar welcomes Stephen
Bulgarelli as vice president and chief culinary officer to head its culinary team. With an extensive and accomplished
background in the restaurant industry, a mind for menu innovation, and a deep commitment to guest satisfaction, Bulgarelli will
lead the talented culinary team at Applebee's as they work to ensure every guest has something to look forward to when they dine
at Applebee's.
"Chef Stephen possesses a unique balance of strategy, creativity, and team orientation that will elevate our menu and
strengthen our culinary culture," said John Cywinski, president, Applebee's. "All of this coupled
with his passionate focus on our guests makes Stephen the ideal partner for our franchisees."
With more than 120 years of combined experience, the Applebee's culinary team is starting a new chapter of menu innovation
focused on returning to its roots. The team will elevate Applebee's neighborhood position around familiar favorites with an
emphasis on abundant, indulgent value.
Noted Bulgarelli, "As the biggest casual-dining brand in the country, Applebee's is America's neighborhood kitchen, and I am
honored to create original and downright good food that millions of people will be able to enjoy each week. In collaboration with
an already stellar culinary team, we'll be focusing heavily on listening to our guests to help drive the changes that will
further set Applebee's apart."
Bulgarelli has a rich background in the restaurant industry and a keen understanding for what restaurant guests want from a
casual dining experience. Most recently, he spent seven years with Chili's, the last five as vice president of food and beverage.
Prior to his tenure at Chili's, Bulgarelli was the vice president of culinary innovation at O'Charley's, held two culinary
leadership roles with T.G.I. Friday's and was an executive chef at LSG Sky Chefs. He is a graduate
of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, N.Y.
Bulgarelli's accolades include recognition by Nation's Restaurant News in the 2008 MenuMasters Awards for Best Menu
Revamp and again in the 2014 MenuMasters Awards for Best New Item. While head of food and beverage innovation at Chili's, the
brand also received the 2016 COEX Innovation Award Culinary/Operations.
About Applebee's®
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar offers a lively casual dining experience combining simple, craveable American fare, classic
drinks and local drafts. All Applebee's restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to serving their
communities and offering quality food and drinks with genuine, neighborly service. Applebee's is one of the world's largest
casual dining brands; as of June 30, 2017, there are nearly 2,000 Applebee's franchise restaurants
in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 15 other countries. Applebee's is franchised by subsidiaries of
DineEquity, Inc. [NYSE: DIN], which is one of the world's largest full-service restaurant companies.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will,"
"should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. These
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially
different from those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of
general economic conditions; the Company's indebtedness; risk of future impairment charges; trading volatility and the price of
the Company's common stock; the Company's results in any given period differing from guidance provided to the public; the highly
competitive nature of the restaurant business; the Company's business strategy failing to achieve anticipated results; risks
associated with the restaurant industry; risks associated with locations of current and future restaurants; rising costs for food
commodities and utilities; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food; ineffective marketing and guest
relationship initiatives and use of social media; changing health or dietary preferences; our engagement in business in foreign
markets; harm to our brands' reputation; litigation; fourth-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets;
environmental liability; liability relating to employees; failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations; failure to
effectively implement restaurant development plans; our dependence upon our franchisees; concentration of Applebee's franchised
restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; credit risk from IHOP franchisees operating under our previous business model;
termination or non-renewal of franchise agreements; franchisees breaching their franchise agreements; insolvency proceedings
involving franchisees; changes in the number and quality of franchisees; inability of franchisees to fund capital expenditures;
heavy dependence on information technology; the occurrence of cyber incidents or a deficiency in our cybersecurity; failure to
execute on a business continuity plan; inability to attract and retain talented employees; risks associated with retail brand
initiatives; failure of our internal controls; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Annual and
Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to
update or supplement any forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar