Back-to-School Jump-Starts Fundraising Season at Applebee's

BUFFALO, N.Y., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- At Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants, back-to-school season is about more than just school supplies and textbooks. It's also about sports teams, school groups and clubs earning money for their respective organizations. Applebee's restaurants across upstate New York and Connecticut provide hundreds of local groups opportunities to fundraise – for everything from new uniforms, to new equipment and class trips.

Student groups can flip flapjacks by hosting a fundraising breakfast at Applebee's, while other nonprofits can host a "Dining to Donate" event with a percent of the bill going back to their organization. In fact, last year alone, T.L. Cannon Companies, the franchisee for 61 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants across upstate New York and Connecticut, held more than 2,000 pancake breakfasts and over 300 "Dining to Donate" events, helping local nonprofits raise more than $1.5 million.

"At Applebee's we understand the importance of being a good neighbor and supporting our local communities," said Matt Fairbairn, CEO, T.L. Cannon Companies. "We've helped hundreds of organizations raise thousands of dollars and we look forward to another great year of fundraising in support of education and youth groups."

Whether raising money for new uniforms, sports equipment, school trips, or organizational supplies, Applebee's invites groups to choose among a variety of fundraising options, including the following programs which can be booked on the company's community site www.tlcneighborhood.com:

• Flapjack Fundraisers: Offered exclusively to schools, youth sports or youth service organizations. The restaurant provides the venue, food and beverages for the breakfasts, while the organizations are responsible for selling tickets and serving as volunteers at the event. Schools and youth organizations held more than 2,000 Flapjack Fundraisers in 2009, raising more than $1.5 million for their causes.

• Dining to Donate: Available to any 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization. Organizations book their event at participating restaurants and distribute Applebee's vouchers prior to the event. Ten percent of guest checks that accompany event vouchers are donated back to the charitable organization. Churches, college clubs and other nonprofits took part in Dining to Donate events, raising more than $31,000 in 2009.

In addition to fundraising programs, Applebee's also supports education through the following initiatives:

• School Restaurant Tours: Open to elementary grades K-5, schools can bring students in for a tour of Applebee's, learn about job duties, teamwork and the importance of a clean and safe work environment. Students, chaperones and teachers can enjoy a price-fixed lunch, and all students receive a "Junior Applebuddy" certificate with a coupon for a free kids meal for their next visit.

• A is for Applebee's: An achievement award program, teachers can honor their students' achievements, whether for academics, attitude or effort. Teachers can order reward cards for a free kids meal at Applebee's by visiting www.tlcneighborhood.com.

• Bookworm Reading Club: Open to students 10 and younger, children can record the books they read on a "Bookworm Club" card. Once a student reads 10 books, they receive a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal. Requests must be made by local schools or libraries online at www.tlcneighborhood.com.

• Cool Credit: An achievement program for students 13-18, Cool Credit allows participating schools to reward deserving students with a free appetizer at Applebee's. Schools can award cards to students based on their own criteria – from leadership and academics to sportsmanship and attendance. Award cards can be requested online at www.tlcneighborhood.com.

To learn more about fundraising opportunities at Applebee's restaurants in New York and Connecticut, visit www.tlcneighborhood.com. To view and subscribe to more news from Applebee's/T.L. Cannon, visit http://www.pitchfeed.com/tlcannonapplebees/9358.

About T.L. Cannon Companies

T.L. Cannon Companies is the franchisee for Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar in Upstate NY and CT. It currently owns and operates 61 restaurant locations.

SOURCE T.L. Cannon Companies