Written by Shannon Langas. Graphic by Sophia Ritz.
Applebee’s. Home of the half-priced app, two for twenty-four and six dollar drinks. Solace of road trips and small towns, you can find an Applebee’s just about anywhere.
Applebee’s is more than just a franchise. It’s a state of mind. Affordable food and a family-friendly atmosphere packaged into four thousand square feet of red vinyl seats and eclectic design. The Applebee’s experience is not limited to a single brand.
Take Red Lobster, for example. Red Lobster is a maritime dining experience full of cheddar bay biscuits and fun for all, so it’s practically an underwater Applebee’s. Both restaurants share a large menu, distinct interior design and availability all across the United States. Even Red Lobster’s branding bears a resemblance to Applebee’s: the red apple and lobster respectively are placed on a simple background of navy blue.
Red Lobster is not the only chain to resemble Applebee’s. Chili’s, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel and the Cheesecake Factory are just a few more examples of the Applebee’s experience. By no means does this similarity erase the merits of each restaurant. If anything, the core experience shared by these chains allows them to be even more inventive with the differences in their interior design, large menus and dining atmosphere. They tap into a known experience in order to create something new for their guests.
No matter what you are looking for in a restaurant, this broad category of connected chains is guaranteed to have something for everyone. So please, grab your friends and head to your nearest Applebee’s (or P.F. Changs, Buffalo Wild Wings or I.H.O.P.) today.
