<P> The Applebee's concept focuses on casual dining, with mainstream American dishes such as salads, chicken, pasta, burgers, "riblets" (which is considered Applebee's signature dish). All Applebee's restaurants feature a bar area and serve alcoholic beverages (except where prohibited by law). </P> <P> On November 29, 2007, IHOP (now DineEquity) announced that it had completed a $2 billion purchase of the Applebee's chain . </P> <P> On August 11, 2017, DineEquity announced that Applebee's would close between 105 and 135 locations by the end of the year . </P> <P> The Applebee's chain was started by Bill and T.J. Palmer, who opened their first restaurant, T.J. Applebee's Rx for Edibles & Elixirs, in Decatur, Georgia, on November 19, 1980 . After opening a second, the pair sold their company to W.R. Grace and Company in 1983 . As part of the transaction, Bill Palmer was named president of the Applebee's Division, an indirect subsidiary of W.R. Grace and Company . In that capacity, Palmer guided the operation from its entrepreneurial beginnings to a full - fledged franchise system . He became an Applebee's franchisee in 1985 and today owns more than three dozen Applebee's restaurants . </P>

Where did the name applebee's come from