Photo by Nelson Ndongala on Unsplash
Applebee’s Invites Students To Nominate Their Favorite Teachers for 9th Annual Above and BEEyond Contest
January 27, 2025
Applebee’s is giving customers a chance to say “thank you” to their favorite teachers in a very special way: by nominating them for this year’s Above and BEEyond Contest.
Patch reports that Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in Westchester County are now hosting the ninth annual Above and BEEyond Teacher Essay Contest.
The yearly essay contest honors outstanding teachers, as nominated by their students, and awards them with a sponsorship check and a special class celebration.
The essay contest is offered at the following Applebee’s locations in Westchester County, which are owned and operated by local franchisee Doherty Enterprises: Cortlandt (Mohegan Lake), Cross County (Yonkers), Executive Boulevard (Yonkers), Hawthorne, and New Rochelle.
One deserving teacher in Westchester County will receive a $500 sponsorship check to spend in their classroom for the following 2025-2026 school year, as well as an end-of-year party for their students. If an end-of-year party is not possible, the winning essay writer will get two Dinner for Four coupons instead.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the launch of our ninth annual Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest at our NY Metro and Westchester County restaurants,” said Tim Doherty, president and COO of Doherty Enterprises. “We’re honored to recognize the local teachers who work so hard to educate the youth. It’s truly gratifying to provide a platform where students can share the meaningful impact their teachers make and to spotlight local community members making a difference each and every day.”
Applebee’s & Chili’s Got Into a Social Media War
In other Applebee’s news, last month, the casual-dining chain got into a social media war with rival restaurant Chili’s over who had the better meal deal. But did either brand emerge as the clear winner of the war?
Chili’s has been gaining ground on Applebee’s since the third quarter of 2022, just after the former brand introduced its 3 for Me promotion.
Chili’s same-store sales increased by a remarkable 24% in the interim, while Applebee’s same-store revenue fell by 4.5%. While the company has generally been the significantly larger rival in the market, with systemwide revenues of $4.35 billion last year, Chili’s has an amazing $4 billion in 2023, not far behind.
Applebee’s does not appear to be taking the competition lightly, however. Restaurant Business stated that it took creative inspiration from Chili’s when launching an ad for its $9.99 Really Big Meal Deal, contrasting its own value proposition against those offered by fast-food restaurants while portraying typical drive-thru fare as unappealing and uninspired.
In a post on X, Applebee’s wrote, “$9.99 The Really Big Meal Deal >>>>> that other $10.99 deal.”
A few days later, Chili’s wrote back, “@ us next time… don’t forget, our 3 for $10.99 comes with bottomless drinks, UNLIMITED chips and salsa, and a Big Smasher with fries. y’all could literally never.”
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