(L. to r.): Ken Feldman, director of marketing, Apple-Metro, Inc.; Zane Tankel, chief executive officer, Apple-Metro, Inc.; Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President; Roy Raeburn, president, Apple-Metro, Inc.; Danny Arteaga, kitchen manager, Applebee’s Rego Park; Beth Milker, Training Manager, Applebee’s Rego Park, and Steve Zavodnick, Control Construction cut the ribbon to open the new Applebee’s Restaurant in Rego Park.

Queen Borough President Helen Marshall cut the ceremonial ribbon at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar’s third location in Queens last Monday. The 19th Applebee’s in the city, the new location will employ 250 people, most of whom were hired from the surrounding area, and seats approximately 270. The restaurant officially opened to the public on Tuesday, June 10 at 11 a.m. for lunch. Patrons were greeted by the New York Mets mascot "Mr. Met," who welcomed fans in celebration of the grand opening.

The event also served as a fundraiser for the Queens Region of the American Cancer Society. At a recent Applebee’s opening in Downtown Brooklyn, over $3,500 was raised for the Brooklyn region of the American Cancer Society.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. and will be open on Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m. Offerings will include Applebee’s signature nine-ounce sirloin, riblets, Fiesta Lime Chicken, a tempting variety of salads, and more. A separate bar area will welcome guests with weekly specials and events and, a special area within the restaurant will cater to and expedite To Go orders. Further, a dedicated To Go telephone number is available to insure To Go orders are handled with superior service.

Apple Metro, Inc. is the New York Metropolitan area franchisee for Applebee’s and Chevys restaurants. Its portfolio currently includes 18 Applebee’s, three Chevys restaurants in the five boroughs, Westchester and Rockland Counties and a new concept Zanaro’s Italian at new Roc City in New Rochelle. The newest addition to the portfolio is the Downtown Brooklyn Applebee’s location on Flatbush and Dekalb Avenues. In its eighth year of operation, Apple Metro’s focus is to create the ultimate casual dining experience through extraordinary service, exceptional food and drink in a fun-filled, friendly atmosphere.

Applebee’s International, Inc., headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, currently develops, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar brand, the largest casual dining concept in the world. There are currently 1,500 Applebee’s restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and eight countries. Additional information on Applebee’s International can be found at the company’s website, www.applebee’s.com.