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At Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, back-to-school offers more fundraising opportunities for students and parents than the French have fries. Sports teams can flip flapjacks, parents groups can hold dinner meetings with part of the bill going back to their organizations, and elementary schools can visit the restaurants and learn about jobs in the food service industry. There’s even a program offering free meals for academic performance.

Last year alone, T.L. Cannon Companies, the franchisee for 62 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants across upstate New York and Connecticut,helped local non-profit groups raise more than $1.6 million through various fundraising efforts. Most of those efforts were geared toward schools and youth.

Because of its strong commitment to local communities, Applebee’s is helping local schools,clubs and sports teams get off to a smart start this school year through various fundraising and educational programs.

“Supporting education is an important part of being a good neighbor,” said Matt Fairbairn,CEO, T.L. Cannon Companies. “It’s a great way to give back and our neighborhood teams find it incredibly rewarding.” 

Whether raising money for new uniforms, sports equipment, school trips, or organizational supplies, Applebee’s invites groups to choose among a variety of fundraising options, including the following programs which can be booked onthe company’s community site www.tlcneighborhood.com:

·        Flapjack Fundraisers: Offered exclusively to schools, youth sports or youth service organizations. The restaurant provides the venue, food and beverages for the breakfasts, while the organizations are responsible for selling tickets and serving as volunteers at the event.

·        Dining to Donate:Available to any 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization. Organizations book their event at participating restaurants and distribute Applebee’s vouchers prior to the event. Ten percent of guest checks that accompany event vouchers are donated back to the charitable organization.

Applebee’s also supports education for younger children through the following programs,details of which can be found on www.tlcneighborhood.com: 

·        School Restaurant Tours:Open to elementary grades K-5. Schoolscan bring students in for a tour of Applebee’s, learn about job duties, teamwork and the importance of a clean work environment. Students, chaperones and teachers can enjoy a price-fixed lunch, and all students receive a “Junior Applebuddy” certificate with a coupon for a free kids meal for their next visit.

·        A is for Applebee’s: An achievement award program,teachers can honor their students’ achievements, whether for academics,attitude or effort. Teachers can order reward cards for a free kids meal at Applebee’s.

·        Bookworm Reading Club: Open to students 12 and younger. Children can record the books they read on a “Bookworm Club” card. Once a student reads10 books, they receive a free kids meal, with the purchase of an adult meal.Children also receive a detachable bookmark. Requests must be made by local schools or libraries.

To learn more about fundraising opportunities at Applebee’s,visit www.tlcneighborhood.com.

For the past four years, T.L. Cannon Companies was awarded the National Restaurant Association Good Neighbor Award for community-based programs. The company was also recognized nationally in 2007 as “Applebee’s Neighbor of the Year,” based on its support and involvement in the neighborhoods in which it operates.