Applebee’s revamps store operations with new POS system
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar is upgrading a number of in-store solutions, centered on a new POS implementation.
Dine Brands Global Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s as well as the IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop casual dining banners, is implementing Toast technology at Applebee’s locations nationwide.
In addition to Toast POS terminals, the agreement will see Applebee’s restaurants deploy Toast Go handhelds, Toast Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), and the Toast Restaurant Management Suite Enterprise.
“This is a crucial step in the evolution of our 45-year-old brand,” said Justin Skelton, CIO at Dine Brands. “POS and KDS systems are essential to efficient operations and can have major impacts on both the customer and team member experience. We look forward to working with Toast to enhance Applebee’s technology capabilities.”
[READ MORE: Dine Brands opens first co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant in U.S.]
Applebee’s, which is one of the largest U.S. casual dining restaurant chains, will utilize Toast technology in an effort to strengthen operational flexibility, provide greater ease of use and responsiveness, improve labor efficiency, and enhance the overall in-store customer experience.
“Delivering a great customer experience requires that our restaurants have exceptional tools and technology,” said Tom Finocchiaro, VP of operations services for Applebee’s. “By leveraging technology touchpoints, like handhelds to improve efficiency, our team members will have more time to interact with customers.”
Quick service hot dog chain Nathan’s Famous Inc. has also deployed Toast technology in its stores. As part of a larger enterprise effort to aid franchisees with their daily retail operations, Nathan’s implemented Toast self-ordering kiosks nationwide.
“Applebee’s is an iconic brand and at the heart of so many communities. Like Toast, they are focused on enabling moments that bring people together around a great meal,” said Kelly Esten, chief marketing officer at Toast. “We are thrilled to help Applebee’s and Dine Brands innovate their front- and back-of-house digital experience, while maintaining the best of this brand we know and love.”
Based in Pasadena, Calif., Dine Brands operates over 3,500 restaurants across 19 international markets as of Sep. 30, 2024. Applebee’s franchise operations consisted of 1,567 Applebee’s restaurants in the U.S., two U.S. territories and 15 countries outside the U.S., and 47 company-operated U.S. restaurants as of Dec. 29, 2024. This number does not include one domestic Applebee’s ghost kitchen and four Applebee’s international ghost kitchens.
