How Dollar Drinks Are Helping Applebee's Buck the Decline in Casual Dining

CMO Joel Yashinsky is focusing on the chain's roots

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Even though there are more self-identifying foodies than ever in America (thanks to Instagram), casual dining chains haven’t benefitted from this culinary boom. Near universal declines have occurred across the category, and several restaurants have shuttered locations over the past year.

But in 2018, Applebee’s has started to see a shift. The chain’s CMO, Joel Yashinsky, said that in 2018, Applebee’s is on track to have its best results in the past 14 years. It saw a 7.7 percent same-store sales increase in the third quarter.

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