Applebee's names new marketing, operations chiefs
One of the largest casual dining chains has added two new faces to its C-suite.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar has named Michelle Chin as its new chief marketing officer and Jerrold (Jay) Wong as its new chief operations officer. Chin will begin her role on Sept. 2, while Wong will join Applebee’s on Sept. 15.
Chin joins Applebee’s from Starbucks, where she spent nine years in a variety of roles, most recently serving as VP of Starbucks Reserve & Roastery. She has more than 20 years of experience leading marketing and brand strategy for global consumer brands, including stints at Godiva and Unilever.
As chief marketing officer, Chin will lead Applebee’s full marketing strategy, including national advertising, digital and social media, menu innovation, and integrated campaigns. The restaurant says her work will be focused on “elevating the brand, strengthening emotional connections with guests, and driving traffic through bold, captivating storytelling.”
As chief operations officer, Wong will focus on driving consistency and accelerating growth at Applebee’s while working closely with his team and franchisees to “elevate restaurant performance” and deliver a strong guest experience across the system.
Wong brings extensive leadership experience from across the hospitality industry to Applebee's, having led transformations at brands including Four Seasons, Starwood/Marriott Hotels and Exclusive Resorts. Wong most recently served at real estate organization Great Gulf, where he was president of resorts & leisure
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“Applebee’s is an iconic brand, beloved by our guests, with one of the largest footprints of any restaurant brand,” said John Peyton, President of Applebee’s and CEO of Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee’s. “This year, our team and franchisees have worked diligently against our key areas of focus to continually enhance the guest experience and attract the next generation of loyal Applebee’s fans – reimaging our restaurants, enhancing our menu and value offerings, and connecting with our guests in deeper, more impactful ways. With these appointments, we’re looking to accelerate that strategy, creating efficiencies and returning to growth.”
Applebee’s and its franchise operations together operated 1,514 Applebee’s restaurants in the United States, two U.S. territories and 15 countries as of June 29, 2025.
