Applebee’s, Corner Bakery Cafe and Its Neighborhoods Unite to Raise $1.6 Million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

July 13, 2009 — Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, and Corner Bakery Cafe today announced it has raised more than $1.6 million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). For the fifth year running, the event was led by The Rose Group, a Pennsylvania-based franchisee of Applebee’s and Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants, and its partner Apple American Group. The companies have rallied support from their local communities, raising much needed money for pediatric cancer research in memory of Alex Scott, who dedicated her short life to battling childhood cancer “one cup of lemonade at a time.”

“For the past five years, The Rose Group and Apple American Group have made it a priority to bring Alex’s dream to life,” said Harry T. Rose, chairman and CEO of The Rose Group. “And with every year that passes, we’ve come that much closer to helping cure pediatric cancer. Raising $1.6 million is no small feat and with the environment we’re in, this really speaks to the commitment of our neighborhoods and everyone involved who took the time to make a difference in a child’s life.”

This year participating Applebee’s restaurants donated 25 cents from every glass of lemonade sold to Alex’s. Guests who donated $5 toward the charity were entered in a contest to win free Applebee’s meals for a year. Local restaurants did their part by hosting various events, including in-restaurant lemonade stands, contests, carnivals and car washes. All the restaurants involved went above and beyond their set goals, including the Pottstown Applebee’s raising more than $18,000; Trexlertown raising more than $16,000; and Easton and Allentown raising more than $12,000. Local Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants have raised more than $1,000 each by selling $1 paper lemons over the five-week initiative. Additionally, both restaurants accepted donations from individuals who just wanted to help support the cause.