Applebee's to Host Charity Day In Conjunction with Restaurant Grand Opening

Johnston Health Foundation to Receive Proceeds from Grand Opening Events

(Raleigh, N.C.)—The Apple Gold Group, franchisee of Applebee's restaurants in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas, is excited to invite the community to a special pre-opening event to celebrate the grand opening of their newest location at the intersection of Highway 42 and Interstate 40 in Johnston County. Scheduled for November 7th, the pre-opening event will raise funds for the Johnston Health Foundation.

"We are excited to partner with the Johnston Health Foundation for our pre-opening event as we introduce our new location to our neighbors in the Johnston County Community and surrounding areas," said Michael Olander, President and CEO of the Apple Gold Group. "Guests will be able to enjoy some of Applebee's favorite menu items at ½ price with 100% of the proceeds going to the Johnston Health Foundation."

This Saturday, community members can get a "behind the scenes" look at the new Applebee's, located at 5158 NC Highway 42 West, Garner. From 12 pm to 2 pm, and again from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, a limited menu of Applebee's favorite food and drinks will be offered at half-price, with 100 % of the proceeds going to the Johnston Health Foundation. Reservations can be made by calling (919) 637-2118. The restaurant will mark its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, November 9, at 1pm.

Support of local charities is an essential element of Applebee's mission to be America's Favorite Neighbor. In addition to restaurant promotions for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, every Applebee's operated by the Apple Gold Group is available to help charitable organizations in their community through their Flapjack Fundraising program. For more information about the Flapjack Fundraising program, please visit www.AGGrestaurants.com.

About Johnston Health Foundation

Founded in 1993, the Johnston Health Foundation is a non-profit organization established for the purpose of managing fundraising activities specifically for Johnston Health. Johnston Health is a new health care system that includes Johnston Medical Center-Smithfield (formally Johnston Memorial Hospital) and Johnston Medical Center- Clayton. The Foundation is dedicated to obtaining charitable contributions, managing funds and distributing these funds to Johnston Health. Donations are used to meet a variety of needs, including medical equipment purchases, furniture and facility renovations. All funds raised are spent on the programs and services of Johnston Health within Johnston County. For more information, please visit www.johnstonhealth.org.

About Apple Gold Group

Apple Gold, Inc., 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. A decade later, the company expanded its territory to include Oklahoma and then Arkansas, and currently operates 72 restaurants in those three 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 Apple Gold Group, please visit www.AGGrestaurants.com.

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