Applebee's restaurant chain remodeling locations in Ann Arbor region
Applebee’s is renovating two of its Washtenaw County restaurants.
The chain's restaurant on Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township was set to reopen this week after being closed for several days. Next up for remodeling is the Applebee's on Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor, which will be worked on next week. The restaurant in northern Ann Arbor off of Plymouth Road was renovated a few years ago.
During the remodeling process, the restaurant undergoing renovations typically closes on Sunday night and reopens by Thursday, said Karim Jaffer, Applebee's area director.
“We work on the planning for months,” Jaffer said. “And then we’ve got sharp people who work actively during the week.”
Melissa Racer, communications manager at Applebee’s, said the company is taking a three-pronged approach to the revitalization: “boot camp” training for staff members, updating the menu and remodeling the interior and exterior.
“This is more than a remodel,” Racer said. “We are making the restaurant a little more contemporary and in-tune with our guests.”
Racer wouldn't offer specifics but said the investment is large.
"Even just to do one or two restaurants is a pretty sizable commitment, but to commit to a whole market is a pretty significant investment in a community,” Racer said.
Applebee's has more than 2,000 locations, including 32 locations in metro Detroit, and the company plans to remodel 10 of them in 2011.
Upgrades include replacement of the exterior striped awnings, repainting and redecorating the walls with more local paraphernalia.
“The biggest change that people will notice is that there is much more of a local focus,” Racer said. “There are cleaner walls with fewer pictures, but more relevant neighborhood pictures and murals.”
She said the Ann Arbor locations are decorated with University of Michigan items and also gear from local high schools.
"You won't even recognize the new restaurants," Jaffer said. "It's a refresh of our entire concept."
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Rob
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 4:18 p.m.
Hopefully they increase their local beer selection, too. Really my biggest gripe about the chains.
RTFM
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
Let me guess, the same bad food will be served?
Rob MI
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
I hope that "updating the menu" involves reducing the incredible amount of salt they season all of their food with. There is hardly a restaurant anywhere anymore that doesn't use salt liberally, but Applebee's has been, for several years, the worst offender by far and I haven't eaten at any location in at least 3 years because of it.
Maxwell
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
Salt is usually the second ingredient in any corporate box store. Its cheap and tend to make you want to order another cocktail or beer. Try Knights or Casey's - tell them you're on a salt restricted diet and they'll oblige you.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
What can you remodel in 4 days? I doubt they would even have time to put up a new set of trite, contrived garbage on the wall.
Dr. Webster
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
Great news! I love Applebees. Making a chain retaurant take on local decor and interests shows that Corporate America does have to appeal to real human interests in order to attrack more customers.
DDOT1962
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
How can anyone "love" a chain restaurant like this? They cater to the lowest common denominator in taste and experience. For god's sake, get out there and try some independent's and/or ethnic restaurants for a change. You only live once, so broaden your horizons!!!!