Applebee’s Awards Local Customer With Free Meals For A Year

Supporters of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Fundraiser Receive Special Thanks

Trexlertown, PA, October 2, 2013 – Trexlertown Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar today announced Roberta Wilcox as the winner of its Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) “Free Meals for a Year” contest. Wilcox was picked from the thousands of individuals who showed their generosity during the annual ALSF fundraiser. With the help of community members such as these, participating Applebee’s were able to raise over $750,000 in 2013 to benefit the Foundation, totaling over $4 raised since 2005.

 “In today’s economy, we want to show our appreciation for those who donate their time and money towards this charity,” said Jeff Warden, CEO of The Rose Group. “We have been a proponent of Alex’s for many years and each year customers go above and beyond in showing their support.”

To participate in the contest, the winners and thousands of other guests donated $5 to ALSF during Applebee’s ninth annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Fundraiser from July 1 through July 28. Applebee’s restaurants also donated a portion from every lemonade sold to Alex’s. Local restaurants hosted various events, including in-restaurant lemonade stands, contests, bake sales and car washes, helping to raise money this summer for the charity on behalf of Applebee’s.

Starting in 2005 participating Applebee’s and The Rose Group have worked hand-in-hand over the past nine years on this fundraiser. With the help of corporate sponsors and thousands of individual stands, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has funded more than 300 research projects nationally and has raised over $60 million towards cancer research.

For more information on this year’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand Fundraiser visit your local Applebee’s. 

About The Rose Group
The Rose Group, headquartered in Newtown, PA, is the 35th largest restaurant franchise company in the United States. They currently own and operate 58 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. The company is the first franchisee for Corner Bakery Cafe, operating six cafes in Eastern Pennsylvania. The Rose Group also co-owns and operates three Shannon Rose restaurants, an independent Irish pub and restaurant in North Jersey. More information on The Rose Group can be found on their website at www.therosegroup.com.

About Applebee's International, Inc.
Applebee's International, Inc. (www.applebees.com) is the world's largest casual dining chain, with approximately 2,000 locations in 49 states, 15 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Kansas City, Mo., Applebee's takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar is a DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) brand, and is franchised and operated by Applebee's International, Inc and its affiliates.

 About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). 2013 marks 14 years since 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $60 million towards fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 300 research projects nationally.