Royersford Applebee's Surpasses Expectations for Charity

Applebee's has been running its yearly summer fundraiser corporate-wide yet again this year and the local branch is an ample participant. For the past seven years, the franchise restaurant has been aiding the search for a cure for pediatric cancer through the Alex's Lemonade Stand fundraiser.

Owner Harry Rose, who also created the Rose Group in Newtown, making it the 37th largest restaurant franchise in the country, owning 59 Applebee's in Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware.

The promotion started on July 5 and ends Friday. Customers have been receiving the opportunity to donate $5 to Alex's Lemonade Stand and receive a "bounce back" voucher for $5 toward a Carside or To Go order, also receiving the opportunity to enter a drawing to win free Applebee's for a year.

“It’s great," said the General Manager Todd Naiko. "To help out a group like Alex’s Lemonade, which is all about kids’ cancer research to eliminate it or alleviate some of the stuff that goes on with it. It’s a Philly thing to start off with, to keep it regional and put forth as much effort as my team has here, it really feels great.”

By placing tabletop stands on each table and having waitstaff and bartenders explain the fundraiser to all potential donors, monies are raised for pediatric cancer research. Naiko said 80-to-90-percent of donations are received in the store. However, there have been some combination efforts in fundraising at LA Fitness, as well as a car wash by the staff. He also encourages his staff to go out and fundraise on their own.

“The staff was really motivated," Naiko said. "It’s all up to them. If they’re motivated to do it, when you talk to somebody at your table as a guest and somebody is really engaged and pumped up about the charity, it’s really easy.”

Last year, the Royersford branch raised just over $3,000. This year they are "well above expectations" with donations already reaching over $4,000 with one day left to go.

Otherwise, the restaurant also does for any cause that is worthy. Some Flapjack Fundraisers have raised over $1,000. Naiko has been happy to get the community integrated in giving back.

“I’m happy to spread the word a little bit and hopefully get some more people involved for next year,” Naiko said.