The decline and fall of Applebee's

Honestly, this posting kind of bummed me out a touch. I don't own Applebee's stock, and my dining adventures most certainly span the whole range of restaurants - from quick to high end - but I'm a fan of Applebee's product (whereas I can't stand Chili's).

I posted about the one that just opened near me in Boston, and I thought I'd include the link so we can balance the negativity of the original post..

http://platinumelite.blogspot.com/2007/04/applebees-dorchester.html

Of course, you can't dispute the stock price. A flat stock for 3 years certainly means the investors aren't on board.

I ate at applebee's maybe two weeks ago and it was fantastic. I have the spinach dip and chicken dish it was wonderful and the service was fantastic. I have had many bad meals at don pablo's including a meal that made me ill. So I feel bad about someone calling it Crapplebee's.
G.

Honestly I used to love applebee's 3-4 years ago... it was part of my sat night tradition... then came the big switch the stopped serving coke products and switched to pepsi... sense then I might have been in an applebees 5 times.

To me the solution is simple, no it isn't a switch back to coke products but that would be nice... simply figure out what makes you you... just like McDonalds did a few years back. Refocuses on your core products and you core customers. (BTW Panera Bread listen up this will be you in a few years) Then improve upon those products.... maybe flaunt you use free range antibiotic & homemone free meat products... hey if you can extend that to your dairy products. Sure it will cost more but it would make you stand out while you reestablish your core values.

I had been to the Applebee's near Hillsboro, OR. a couple times & the service was always so slow. Got our meals over an hour after ordering. The tables were too close together it was hard to get yourself seated. The last straw was when I was taken there for my birthday by a relative & we both ordered the same thing, Sirloin Steak, if I remember corredtly. When I attempted to cut the steak it was so tough the steak knife wouldn't cut it. Called this to the attention of the waiter who said "go ahead & eat your vegs. & they'd bring me another steak. The second steak came & it was the same as the first one.
I turned down the offer of a third one & ate the complimentary piece of chocolate cake. The gen. mgr. wasn't there, so I called him the next day. He apologized & said he's send me a certificate for two dinners. I red'd. a certificate for $20.00 & you all know how far that would go for two dinners.
Needless to say I never went back nor will I ever go back. Posted by Ams

The food is horrible due to the fact that everything is microwaved to the point of leather. The service is horrible and dont expect all food to come to the table hot

Applebees was a staple for me 7-10 years ago, but the competition just has them outshined. I've been to good and bad Applebees resturants, but it is kind of mediorce.

One of the biggest reasons for the sharp decline in the resturant-bar/grill industry is the huge smoking bans popping up all over the place. While I'm essentially a nonsmoker, I personally think its gotten out of control. Resturants should make their own choices in terms of their smoking rules, but all the city wide bans discourages a huge chunk of potential customers.

I know that there are several passionate opinions in favor of smoking bans, but when it gets down to it the laws and rules are shooting the industry in the foot. Those that want to demonize or discriminate against the smoker can also take comfort in the fact that this is America and people can make choices... even in what resturants they go to. Just a thought.

#3 . . . DO THEY use hormone free products? Or are you suggesting they do in the future? I don't ever go to Applebee's unless I have to because I'm with family and they want to go there (less than once a year), but if they used safer meat like that I would DEFINITELY become an Applebee's fan and encourage my friends and family to go to Applebee's when we're looking for a place to eat out.

Watching the commercials on ocassion, they looked good, after two visits, it's a glorified 'Sizzler.'
Would only go if someone else insisted and there were no other choices around...

A few years ago I really liked Aoolebees, BUT al least in my area the service went totaly away, and they agted like thye just did not care if you got waited on or not.

I gave them about a year thinking that they would see by the brop in customer traffis and step it up. BUT even the parking lot would be mostly empty and when you went in the only ones there were the regulars drinking at the bar, and the service was still not any better.

GOOD BYE APPLEBEES

I don't think I've EVER gotten bad food at any Applebee's, although the service has been so-so the last few times I've been. In particular, I've never eaten a steak anywhere else that I enjoy as much as the ones I've gotten at Applebee's.

Applebees needs to SOMETHING to get customers like me back into their restaurant--something to get customers like me to remember it's even there! My local Applebees has always had adequate-to-good service and food on the few occasions I've gone there. However, it's got competition, and to be honest, I forget that it's there. It's a short walk from my house, so you would think that I wouldn't forget. They even have some dishes I particularly like (their smaller salad combos), so you would think that I'd remember. But Applebees draws a blank when I think of nearby restaurants.

That's why I say they need to do something to remind me that they are there. I'd go if I remembered, especially on Sundays, when most of the competing restaurants in the area are closed. Maybe an Applebees wait person needs to bang on my door at about 3 PM every Sunday? I dunno...

Just my oppinion, if Applebee's would reduce the menu and make the food on this smaller menu really good as in home made, I think people would be back. The music and the decor need to improve to appeal to the Boomer generation. this is the largest age group in our population. We need a place to call our own. Again, just my oppinion. And yes Bill, everyone has one.