Applebee's: Difference between revisions
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{{CompanyCargo | {{CompanyCargo | ||
| Founded = 19 | | Founded = 19 November 1980 | ||
| Industry = Food | | Industry = Food | ||
| Logo = Applebee's logo.png | | Logo = Applebee's logo.png | ||
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}} | }} | ||
''' | '''{{Wplink|Applebee's|Applebee's Restaurants LLC}}''' is an American company that's operates and owns restaurant chain Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar. It became an subsidiary to Dine Brands after a $2.1 billion acquisition deal between '''[[IHOP]]''' on 29 November 2007. | ||
== Consumer-impact summary == | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
=== Disclosure Accessibility === | ===Disclosure Accessibility=== | ||
The company provides confusing language or very vague answers towards certain data collection practices. Separated in categories of Personal Information (PI) it describes collection of personal information as Identifiers, inferences drawn from other PI. PI as identifiers and under California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code §1798.80(e)).<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Jan 2025 |title=California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 1798.80 |url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/civil-code/civ-sect-1798-80/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=FindLaw}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Dec 2025 |title=Civil Code section 1798.80 |url=https://california.public.law/codes/civil_code_section_1798.80 |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=California.public.law}}</ref> | The company provides confusing language or very vague answers towards certain data collection practices. Separated in categories of Personal Information (PI) it describes collection of personal information as Identifiers, inferences drawn from other PI. PI as identifiers and under California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code §1798.80(e)).<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Jan 2025 |title=California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 1798.80 |url=https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/civil-code/civ-sect-1798-80/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=FindLaw}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Dec 2025 |title=Civil Code section 1798.80 |url=https://california.public.law/codes/civil_code_section_1798.80 |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=California.public.law}}</ref> | ||
=== User Freedom === | ===User Freedom=== | ||
For users living in California, they can request deletion, notice, access, and correct personal data via phone number or form, however it may require fees depending the users ''"excessive or repetitive"'' requests and additional collection of personal information for identification purposes. | For users living in California, they can request deletion, notice, access, and correct personal data via phone number or form, however it may require fees depending the users ''"excessive or repetitive"'' requests and additional collection of personal information for identification purposes. | ||
=== User Privacy === | ===User Privacy=== | ||
Collects personal data that includes social security number, name, signature, physical characteristics or description, address, phone number, passport number, driver license and/or state identification number, insurance policy number, education, financial information, medical information, and health insurance information. The company shares data between other companies, third party service providers, Dine brands affiliates and franchisees. | Collects personal data that includes social security number, name, signature, physical characteristics or description, address, phone number, passport number, driver license and/or state identification number, insurance policy number, education, financial information, medical information, and health insurance information. The company shares data between other companies, third party service providers, Dine brands affiliates and franchisees. | ||
=== Business Model === | ===Business Model=== | ||
The company franchisees locations and serve primarily salads, chicken, burgers, and their signature dish item riblets. | The company franchisees locations and serve primarily salads, chicken, burgers, and their signature dish item riblets. | ||
== Incidents == | ==Incidents== | ||
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category: | This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | ||
=== Data breach (''2018'') === | ===Data breach (''2018'')=== | ||
RMH Franchise, a company that operated Applebee's [[wikipedia:Point_of_sale|Point of sale systems]], announced on 2 March,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2 Mar 2018 |title=Notice of Data Incident |url=https://www.rmhfranchise.com/dataincident/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307084003/https://www.rmhfranchise.com/dataincident/ |archive-date=7 Mar 2018 |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=RMH Franchise}}</ref>167 locations were affected with malware on its point of sale systems that contained customers name, credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates and card verification codes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paganini |first=Pierluigi |date=5 Mar 2018 |title=Applebee restaurants suffered payment card breach |url=https://securityaffairs.com/69877/data-breach/applebee-payment-card-breach.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Securityaffairs}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> RMH Franchise first discovered on 13 February and later prompted an investigation that highlights between 6 December through 2 January 2018 malware was prominent in numerous locations,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kovacs |first=Eduard |date=5 Mar 2018 |title=Payment Card Breach Hits Some Applebee’s Restaurants |url=https://www.securityweek.com/payment-card-breach-hits-some-applebees-restaurants/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Securityweek}}</ref> with earliest instances being from 23 November.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Danny |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=More than 160 Applebee’s Hit with Security Breach |url=https://www.fsrmagazine.com/growth/chain-restaurants/more-160-applebees-hit-security-breach/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Fsr}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> | RMH Franchise, a company that operated Applebee's [[wikipedia:Point_of_sale|Point of sale systems]], announced on 2 March,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2 Mar 2018 |title=Notice of Data Incident |url=https://www.rmhfranchise.com/dataincident/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307084003/https://www.rmhfranchise.com/dataincident/ |archive-date=7 Mar 2018 |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=RMH Franchise}}</ref>167 locations were affected with malware on its point of sale systems that contained customers name, credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates and card verification codes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paganini |first=Pierluigi |date=5 Mar 2018 |title=Applebee restaurants suffered payment card breach |url=https://securityaffairs.com/69877/data-breach/applebee-payment-card-breach.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Securityaffairs}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> RMH Franchise first discovered on 13 February and later prompted an investigation that highlights between 6 December through 2 January 2018 malware was prominent in numerous locations,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kovacs |first=Eduard |date=5 Mar 2018 |title=Payment Card Breach Hits Some Applebee’s Restaurants |url=https://www.securityweek.com/payment-card-breach-hits-some-applebees-restaurants/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Securityweek}}</ref> with earliest instances being from 23 November.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Danny |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=More than 160 Applebee’s Hit with Security Breach |url=https://www.fsrmagazine.com/growth/chain-restaurants/more-160-applebees-hit-security-breach/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Fsr}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> | ||
=== Failure to provide equal access to individuals with disabilities (''2019)'' | ===Failure to provide equal access to individuals with disabilities (''2019)'' <!-- all incidents lawsuit related with discrimination are dated on 2019 -->=== | ||
< | |||
<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=25 Feb 2019 |title=Applebee’s Hit with ADA Class Action Over Allegedly Inaccessible Seating in Bar Areas |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/applebees-hit-with-ada-class-action-over-allegedly-inaccessible-seating-in-bar-areas |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> | ==== Mullen v. Dine Brands Global, Inc et al ==== | ||
Bartley M. Mullen filed a lawsuit against Applebee's on 22 February over violating title III of the [[wikipedia:Americans_with_Disabilities_Act_of_1990|Americans with Disabilities act]], alleging 28 Applebee's locations included bar-tops and dining areas that were inaccessible to customers with wheelchairs or scooters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=25 Feb 2019 |title=Applebee’s Hit with ADA Class Action Over Allegedly Inaccessible Seating in Bar Areas |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/applebees-hit-with-ada-class-action-over-allegedly-inaccessible-seating-in-bar-areas |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> The case was dismissed with prejudice on 31 October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horan |first=Marilyn |date=24 Dec 2025 |title=MULLEN v. DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC (2:19-cv-00198) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/14773909/mullen-v-dine-brands-global-inc/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Court Listener}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Apr 2026 |title=MULLEN v. DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC et al |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/27203498/MULLEN_v_DINE_BRANDS_GLOBAL,_INC_et_al |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Pacermonitor}}</ref> | |||
<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbas |first=Nadia |date=26 Mar 2019 |title=Wisconsin Applebee’s Franchisee Facing ADA Suit Over Alleged Parking Lot Slopes |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/wisconsin-applebees-franchisee-facing-ada-suit-over-alleged-parking-lot-slopes |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> | ==== Block v. Wisconsin Hospitality Group Llc ==== | ||
On 26 March Christopher Block filed a lawsuit against Applebee's franchisee Wisconsin Hospitality Group for violating title III [[wikipedia:Americans_with_Disabilities_Act_of_1990|Americans with Disabilities act]]. The lawsuit claims the company failed provide equal access to customers with disabilities after a investigation done on plaintiff behalf show the chain having steep slopes in parking lots, curb lamps, entrances, and aisles across 5 locations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbas |first=Nadia |date=26 Mar 2019 |title=Wisconsin Applebee’s Franchisee Facing ADA Suit Over Alleged Parking Lot Slopes |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/wisconsin-applebees-franchisee-facing-ada-suit-over-alleged-parking-lot-slopes |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> The lawsuit was dismissed by Christopher Block on 16 April 2021 that reached an undisclosed settlement agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=Block v. Wisconsin Hospitality Group LLC |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/27589347/Block_v_Wisconsin_Hospitality_Group_LLC |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Pacerlistener}}</ref> | |||
<ref>{{Cite web |last=Humeniuk |first=Seth |date=13 Dec 2019 |title=Class Action: Applebee’s Failed to Provide Accessible Bar Area Seating to Disabled Customers |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-applebees-failed-to-provide-accessible-bar-area-seating-to-disabled-customers |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> | ==== Colburn v. The Rose Group, LLC et al. ==== | ||
On 3 December, Gaynell Coldburm filed a lawsuit against Applebee's franchisee The Rose Group, LLC, over violating title III of the [[wikipedia:Americans_with_Disabilities_Act_of_1990|Americans with Disabilities act]].<ref name=":3" /> The lawsuit claims around November 2019, plaintiff Gaynell Coldburm went to a Applebee's restaurant located at 6798 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, to dine and socialize.<ref name=":3" /> When he requested to be seated and served at the bar counted an female employee replied with,"no, there is nowhere in there that will accommodate you”, after which another employee intervened and attempted to seat plaintiff Gaynell Coldburn onto the bar seat, however they were unsuccessful.<ref name=":3" /> Additionally, it claims 6 other locations bar counters were inaccessible to disabled customers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Humeniuk |first=Seth |date=13 Dec 2019 |title=Class Action: Applebee’s Failed to Provide Accessible Bar Area Seating to Disabled Customers |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-applebees-failed-to-provide-accessible-bar-area-seating-to-disabled-customers |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> The lawsuit reached a settlement agreement and was dismissed with prejudice by the plaintiff.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=Colburn v. The Rose Group, LLC et al |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/31237101/Colburn_v_The_Rose_Group,_LLC_et_al |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Pacermonitor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Russel |first=George |date=6 Mar 2023 |title=Colburn v. The Rose Group, LLC (1:19-cv-03454) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16960648/colburn-v-the-rose-group-llc/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=CourtListener}}</ref> | |||
=== AI voice ordering systems collecting users data without consent (''2022'') === | ===AI voice ordering systems collecting users data without consent (''2022'')=== | ||
On 24 August, Applebee's was involved in a lawsuit field by plaintiffs April Powell, Elizabeth Boscoianu, Kevin Harris, and Michelle Gilliam over violating the [[wikipedia:Biometric_Information_Privacy_Act|Biometric Information Privacy Act]] by unlawfully collecting voiceprints of Illinois consumers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=26 Aug 2022 |title=Applebee’s, Red Lobster, Other Restaurants Hit with Biometric Privacy Suit in Illinois Over AI Voice Ordering Systems |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/applebees-red-lobster-other-restaurants-hit-with-biometric-privacy-suit-in-illinois-over-ai-voice-ordering-systems |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Aug 2022 |title=Applebees, Chipotle, other restaurants face class action alleging automated voice ordering technology data privacy violations |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/applebees-chipotle-other-restaurants-face-class-action-alleging-automated-voice-ordering-technology-data-privacy-violations/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Top Class Actions}}</ref> It claims around 2021 Applebee's, along with several other companies, installed AI voice order systems through SYNQ3.<ref name=":1" /> The case was dismissed on 3 October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=Guy-Powell, April, et al. v. Applebee's Restaurants LLC, et al. |url=https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Illinois_State_Cook_County_Circuit_Court/2022-CH-08365/Guy-Powell_April_et_al._v._Applebee%27s_Restaurants_LLC_et_al/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Docketalarm}}</ref> | On 24 August, Applebee's was involved in a lawsuit field by plaintiffs April Powell, Elizabeth Boscoianu, Kevin Harris, and Michelle Gilliam over violating the [[wikipedia:Biometric_Information_Privacy_Act|Biometric Information Privacy Act]] by unlawfully collecting voiceprints of Illinois consumers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=26 Aug 2022 |title=Applebee’s, Red Lobster, Other Restaurants Hit with Biometric Privacy Suit in Illinois Over AI Voice Ordering Systems |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/applebees-red-lobster-other-restaurants-hit-with-biometric-privacy-suit-in-illinois-over-ai-voice-ordering-systems |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Aug 2022 |title=Applebees, Chipotle, other restaurants face class action alleging automated voice ordering technology data privacy violations |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/applebees-chipotle-other-restaurants-face-class-action-alleging-automated-voice-ordering-technology-data-privacy-violations/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Top Class Actions}}</ref> It claims around 2021 Applebee's, along with several other companies, installed AI voice order systems through SYNQ3.<ref name=":1" /> The case was dismissed on 3 October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=Guy-Powell, April, et al. v. Applebee's Restaurants LLC, et al. |url=https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Illinois_State_Cook_County_Circuit_Court/2022-CH-08365/Guy-Powell_April_et_al._v._Applebee%27s_Restaurants_LLC_et_al/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=Docketalarm}}</ref> | ||
=== Secretly adding hidden service fees (''2024'') === | ===Secretly adding hidden service fees (''2024'')=== | ||
On 1 August, Michelle Clark filed a lawsuit against Applebee's and its parent company Dine Brands over violating the [[wikipedia:California_Consumers_Legal_Remedies_Act|California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act]](Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750), California’s False Advertising Law(Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17500), and [[wikipedia:California_Unfair_Competition_Law|California’s Unfair Competition Law]](Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=5 Aug 2024 |title=Applebee’s Lawsuit Claims Service Fee is ‘Carefully Concealed’ in Online Delivery Receipts |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/applebees-lawsuit-claims-service-fee-is-carefully-concealed-in-online-delivery-receipts |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> Michelle claims Applebee's website and mobile app deceive customers by not listing the hidden 11% service fee when customers browse menu items or at checkout, only being visible at the final page before purchase; however noting that it's lack transparency on the intended purpose of the service fee.<ref name=":2" /> On the purchasing page, it adds the service fee no longer being visible, and instead grouped into a single fee titled "custom fee".<ref name=":2" /> The lawsuit is still in legal proceeding and has yet to be resolved as of April 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=Applebee’s Delivery Orders |url=https://truthinadvertising.org/class-action/applebees-delivery-orders/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=TruthinAdvertising}}</ref> | On 1 August, Michelle Clark filed a lawsuit against Applebee's and its parent company Dine Brands over violating the [[wikipedia:California_Consumers_Legal_Remedies_Act|California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act]](Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750), California’s False Advertising Law(Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17500), and [[wikipedia:California_Unfair_Competition_Law|California’s Unfair Competition Law]](Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=5 Aug 2024 |title=Applebee’s Lawsuit Claims Service Fee is ‘Carefully Concealed’ in Online Delivery Receipts |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/applebees-lawsuit-claims-service-fee-is-carefully-concealed-in-online-delivery-receipts |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> Michelle claims Applebee's website and mobile app deceive customers by not listing the hidden 11% service fee when customers browse menu items or at checkout, only being visible at the final page before purchase; however noting that it's lack transparency on the intended purpose of the service fee.<ref name=":2" /> On the purchasing page, it adds the service fee no longer being visible, and instead grouped into a single fee titled "custom fee".<ref name=":2" /> The lawsuit is still in legal proceeding and has yet to be resolved as of April 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Apr 2026 |title=Applebee’s Delivery Orders |url=https://truthinadvertising.org/class-action/applebees-delivery-orders/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Apr 2026 |website=TruthinAdvertising}}</ref> | ||
== See also == | ==See also== | ||
* [[Waffle House]] | *[[Waffle House]] | ||
* [[TreeHouse Foods]] | *[[TreeHouse Foods]] | ||
* [[Olive Garden]] | *[[Olive Garden]] | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||