New Under 550 Calorie Meals Help Applebee's Guests Trim Calories in the New Year

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   

Marlene Pissott / InGroup, Inc. / p. 201-612-1230 x 11 / email prinquiries@ingroupinc.com

Michelle Schmidt / Doherty Enterprises / p. 201-818-4669 x1303 / email mschmidt@dohertyinc.com

New Under 550 Calorie Meals Help Applebee’s Guests

Trim Calories in the New Year

Manalapan, NJ – January 3, 2013 -- Applebee’s new “See You Tomorrow” slogan welcomes guests back daily. But, according to Kevin Coughlin, Director of Operations for Applebee’s New Jersey, this is more than just a clever catchphrase--it’s a mission statement. The company has been working hard to provide fresh options and exciting new reasons for guests to come back daily. One area, in particular, that the restaurant chain is intent on enhancing is in the creation of fresh new entrees trimmed to under 550 calories.

Low Cal Entrees Get New Year’s Resolvers off to a Good Start

Thanks to Applebee’s, it will be a lot easier for folks to keep that popular New Year’s resolution in 2013 to lose unwanted pounds—even while eating out. The restaurant brings two new Under 550 Calorie meals to the table that offer big flavor and big portions while staying slim on calories. 

Applebee’s new Napa Chicken and Portobellos tops a grilled chicken breast with savory Portobello mushrooms and onions smothered in a rich red wine sauce and Parmesan cheese. It’s served over sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, red onions and crispy red potatoes. The caloric total for this meal is only 450—and the cost is under $10.

The new Zesty Roma Chicken and Shrimp combines a juicy grilled chicken breast, blackened shrimp and Parmesan. It’s served over crispy red potatoes, zucchini, red onions, Roma tomatoes, basil and peppers. A zesty tomato sauce adds a kick. At 410 calories and less than $15, it offers a great value, low-calorie option.

These dishes join the Roasted Garlic Sirloin and Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp both under 550 calories.  It is hoped that Applebee’s low-calorie options will help erase the conflict between eating out with family and friends and watching your weight in the New Year.

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Caption:   Resolve to Eat Out and Eat Light -- Applebee’s Under 550 calorie options like their new Napa Chicken and Portobellos (shown) may help erase the conflict between eating out with family and friends and watching your weight in the New Year.

About Applebee’s

Applebee’s (www.applebees.com) is the world’s largest casual dining chain, with more than 2,000 locations in 49 states, 15 countries and one U.S. territory.  Based in Lenexa, KS, Applebee’s takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee’s Services, Inc., and its affiliates franchise and operate restaurants under Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and are a dineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) brand.

Applebee’s New Jersey Locations
Bergen County: Garfield, Hackensack, Northvale, Paramus  Essex County: Newark  Union County:  Linden, Union (2 locations), Elizabeth Hudson County:  Jersey City, Kearny, North Bergen  Passaic County:  Clifton, Totowa  Morris County:  Butler, Dover, East Hanover, Flanders (Mt. Olive), Parsippany  Warren County:  Hackettstown,  Phillipsburg  Hunterdon County:  Flemington  Somerset County:  Bridgewater, Hillsborough  Middlesex County:  Woodbridge, Edison, Milltown, Piscataway  Sussex County:  Newton  Ocean County:  Brick, Forked River (Lacey), Manahawkin, Manchester, Toms River  Monmouth County:  Howell, Manalapan, Wall, Tinton Falls, Ocean Township, Middletown

About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.
Doherty Enterprises, Inc. was established in 1985 and is the 10th largest franchisee in the United States, operating five restaurant concepts including: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, and two of their own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas. To date, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates 100 restaurants in northern and central New Jersey, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Tri-State Area” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow Our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” (www.DohertyInc.com)