Applebee's "Dining To Donate" To Benefit Child Care of Southwest Florida.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUMMARY:

Applebee's "Dining To Donate" Benefit Celebrates $300,000 Remodel in S. Fort Myers.

FORT MYERS, Fla., August 26, 2011 – Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar is celebrating the remodeling of its South Fort Myers restaurant by hosting a charity day to benefit Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc.

Anyone who dines at the restaurant at Daniels Road and U.S. 41 on Saturday, Sept. 10, will have 15 percent of their total bill donated to Child Care of Southwest Florida by printing a flyer from the charity’s website and bringing it with them to Applebee’s that day. To obtain the flyer good for 15 percent donation to Child Care of Southwest Florida, visit www.ccswfl.org.

The 15 percent donation applies to all food and beverage sales, including alcohol, anytime during the day or night at the Daniels Road location only. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

“We are delighted that Applebee’s selected Child Care of Southwest Florida to be the beneficiary of their grand re-opening,” said Linda McNabb, development director of Child Care of Southwest Florida.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar recently completed a major $300,000 remodeling of the restaurant in South Fort Myers. Improvements include a more modern atmosphere with new booths and chairs, an updated bar area, and new carpet, paint and light fixtures in the dining room.

“The remodel we just completed in Fort Myers is a new design found only in a few Applebee’s locations throughout the country,” said Scott Fischer, Applebee’s director of marketing. “We plan to take this new design and remodel our Naples and Cape Coral locations by the end of the year and all of our locations in Southwest Florida by the end of 2012.”

“We made it a point,” Fischer added, “to use all local labor to complete the remodeling to provide jobs for the hard-hit construction industry in Southwest Florida.”

About Applebee’s Grill & Bar:

Founded on the principles of exceptional value and family fun, Applebee’s operates what is today the largest casual dining chain in the world. The prominent eatery draws people of all ages and lifestyles with its fun, family-friendly atmosphere and signature bar and grill menu. Applebee’s differentiates itself with innovative attractions, such as the “Carside to Go” service and its successful Weight Watchers agreement, enabling it to cater to those preferring less-caloric alternatives. Currently, there are more than 2,000 Applebee’s restaurants operating in 49 states, 15 international countries and one U.S. territory. The Applebee’s system employs approximately 28,000 employees company-wide. For more information, visit www.applebees.com.

About Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc.:

Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. is a private non-profit organization dedicated to providing high quality child care services throughout Southwest Florida. The agency provides child care for children from infancy through age eight at its six child care centers in Lee and Hendry counties. In addition, it offers training for early childhood professionals, and administers the federal food program for eligible centers and family child care homes throughout Southwest Florida. The agency must rely on generous donations and volunteer efforts from members of the community, corporations and foundations to build and maintain programs that make a difference to low-income children. Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc., is a United Way agency. To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.ccswfl.org or call (239) 278-1002.

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