Domestic Franchise Qualification Checklist

  1. Financial Capability to develop, equip and operate one or more Applebee’s restaurants
    • Net worth: Net worth requirement is based on the total number of Applebee’s restaurants requested: a minimum of $3,000,000 for single store development or $1,500,000 per restaurant for 3 or more locations.
    • Liquid assets: Liquidity requirement is based on the total number of Applebee’s restaurants requested: a minimum of $1,000,000 for single store development or $500,000 per restaurant for 3 or more locations.
      • Ability to verify availability of liquid assets
        • Bank statements
        • Brokerage account statements
      • Ability to obtain financing of construction of restaurant(s)
        • Conventional bank loan
        • SBA loan
        • Build-to-suit opportunities
    • Loan commitment letters are also acceptable as evidence of financing and ability to provide funds to complete transactions.
  2. Operational Capabilities (Ability to operate an Applebee’s restaurant)
    • Restaurant experience or partnership with an operator with full-service restaurant experience
    • Management experience
    • Demonstrated leadership skills
    • Business acumen
  3. Defined Development Area
    • Specific area identified for development
    • Proposed development area cannot be subject to existing Single or Multi-Restaurant Development Agreements
    • Proposed development area cannot be subject to existing Area Development or Area Franchise Agreements
  4. Business Plan
    • Written plan for proposed financing of development
    • Written plan for the management of the proposed franchise entity and restaurants

Domestic Franchise Developer Approval Process

  1. Pre-qualification
    • Completion of Request for Consideration form to make sure you meet our basic qualification requirements
    • If you are qualified, Applebee’s will send you a Franchise Due Diligence (FDD) document for signature
    • Upon receipt of your signed FDD, Applebee’s will send you a Franchise Application form
  2. Qualification
    • Completion of Franchise Application; must be completed in its entirety, signed and dated
    • All shareholders, owners, members, investors and operators of the proposed franchise entity must complete an application
    • Application must be submitted with all required documentation including financial statements and verification of funds
    • Resume/brief biography should be included
  3. Identify Development Interest
    • Multi-Restaurant Development
    • Single Restaurant Development
  4. We will run a complete credit and background check
  5. You will submit a detailed business plan to Applebee’s for review
  6. You will have an interview with the Regional Director and/or Division Vice President of Operations to discuss your operational and business experience
  7. You and your partners will attend a visit to the Applebee’s Restaurant Support Center to interview with key members of the Applebee’s executive team to gain insight into your vision and goals and to answer any other questions
  8. Total application package is then reviewed by the Applebee’s executives for final approval/disapproval
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