The Apple Gold Group Becomes a Great Neighbor in the South Carolina Community

Raleigh, NC, July 15, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Apple Gold Group, franchisee of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bars in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas, is proud to announce the acquisition of 13 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar locations in South Carolina. The locations in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Florence and the Grand Strand areas raise the company’s total to 86 restaurants and enhance its recognition as one of the four largest Applebee’s franchisees in the world.

“We are excited to have the restaurants in the South Carolina market join the Apple Gold Group team and look forward to becoming a great neighbor in each of these communities,” said Michael Olander, CEO of the Apple Gold Group. “The strength of the Apple Gold Group lies in the dedication and support of our teams. These locations and their employees will be a great addition to our company.”

The South Carolina Applebee’s were acquired from Charleston-based Whit-Mart Inc. and contribute to the Apple Gold Group’s strategic plans for growth in the coming years. The Apple Gold Group strives to be a leader in the casual dining industry and takes pride in being a company devoted to its communities, guests and employees. This has resulted in numerous award recognitions, including the highest honor an Applebee’s Franchisee can earn, the 2010 Neighbor of the Year Award by Applebee’s Services Inc., for the Apple Gold Group’s commitment to serving its neighbors and communities.

The Apple Gold Group makes a tremendous effort to be a great neighbor in the communities it serves. This is shown by the company’s many successful fundraising efforts, including campaigns for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, internal fundraisers and generous corporate donations. The Apple Gold Group’s flagship Flapjack Fundraiser program, launched in 2009, has proven to be the most successful grassroots fundraising initiative in the franchisee’s history and was a critical component in helping it donate over $1.3 million to local charities in 2010.

For more information about the Apple Gold Group, its locations and community outreach efforts, please visit www.AGGrestaurants.com.

About The Apple Gold Group

The Apple Gold Group, one of the original five Applebee’s Franchisees, was founded in 1984 to develop and operate Applebee's restaurants in North Carolina, opening its first Neighborhood Grill and Bar in North Carolina in 1985. Since then, the company has expanded its territory to include Oklahoma, Arkansas and most recently South Carolina, and currently operates 86 restaurants in those four states. The Apple Gold Group strives to be a recognized leader in both the casual dining industry and in local charitable fundraising. For more information on the Apple Gold Group, please visit www.AGGrestaurants.com.

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