From the filings

HQ-led decisions

Applebee's

Full service restaurant

Applebee's specifies its restaurant technology down to the hardware model: the current approved POS system is A1POS, every restaurant runs NCR POS Workstations and Epson printers, Toast is the only approved server-tablet provider, and Freedom Pay is the approved EMV vendor. Applebee's operates as part of Dine Brands Global, alongside IHOP and Fuzzy's Taco Shop, across 1,421 franchised Restaurants and 59 company-owned — a fully HQ-controlled tech stack for any vendor pitch.

For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.

Live signals

Total units
1,480
1,421 franchised
Franchised outlet growth
-2.871%
Item 20, last two year-ends
AUV
$2.95M
Item 19, 2025
Royalty
4% component; full terms unconfirmed
percentage component
Ad fund
4.25%
percentage component
Initial fee
$35K
per unit
Investment range
$3.19M–$5.82M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
—
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing

Ordinary royalty terms

4% component; full terms unconfirmed

Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.

Recorded percentage components

These are recorded percentage components. Each has its own base and conditions; the chart does not state the total payment or confirm ad-fund completeness.

1recorded components (FY2026)

Recorded percentage components (FY2026)Ad fund 4.25%. Components use their own filing bases and conditions. Drawn against a 15% reference scale.

15% reference

Ad fund 4.25%

Mandated & recommended tech

The systems vendors compete with

3 technology requirements are recorded in this filing. A required choice lists alternatives for one obligation. Read each cited clause for its conditions.

NCRNCR Voyix
Mandatory
POSItem 11

Approved POS Hardware Supplier Cost. We have an arrangement with our approved suppliers to provide the hardware described above for our franchised Restaurants on the same terms that it offers the equipment to us and our affiliates. You are currently required to use the NCR POS Workstation, Epson Printers, and the QSR Kitchen Display System. NCR is currently the approved supplier for the POS Workstation and the guest check printer. NCR and QSR are the approved suppliers for the Kitchen Display System. We may revise our specifications for the hardware as we determine necessary to meet the needs of the System. There is no contractual limitation on our ability to require the hardware be improved or upgraded. From time to time, we may evaluate and approve alternative hardware suppliers.

OloOlo
Mandatory
DeliveryItem 11

On-Line Ordering. You must sign an Authorized Operator Agreement for access and use of an approved provider’s on-line ordering system in form and substance approved by us. The current approved provider is Olo, Inc., but we may use other providers in the future. Currently, the fee with Olo, Inc. is $65- $200 a month (per Restaurant) for the use, access and maintenance of the on-line ordering system. This monthly fee covers the application and menu setup, menu maintenance, service, support and production account maintenance. You will be required to use dispatch and rails services provided by Olo, Inc. and may include other Olo, Inc. products such as call center and catering.

ToastToast
Mandatory
POSItem 11

Server Tablets. Server tablets are optional on A1 POS systems, but for all transitions to Toast, they are required. The only approved provider of server tablets is Toast. We reserve the right to change server tablet providers from time to time at our sole discretion. Waitlist Management Software. Waitlist management software enables restaurants to seat more guests, more efficiently through a service provided by an approved waitlist vendor. Waitlist management software is currently optional but may be required by us in the future.

ShiftOneShiftOne
HrItem 7

Applicant’s Fee $0 - $15,000 As required by Before Us us Opening (6) Franchise Fee Deposit $0 - $10,000 As required by Us us (6) (7) Initial Franchise Fee $35,000 (if Franchise Fee Two equal Us Deposit paid, then less installments $10,000, for a total of $25,000) Initial Advertising Expense (8) $5,000 - $10,000 (8) As required by As Incurred Suppliers suppliers Liquor License(s) $500 - $1,000,000 (9) Varies based on As Incurred Licensing supplier and Authorities; expense type Third Party Apple Supply Chain Co-op $0 - $100 Upon Upon signing Apple Supply Stock Purchase (10) subscription the Chain Co-op, (check or membership Inc. money order) subscription agreement On-Line Ordering (OLO) (11) $65 - $200 per month As required by Monthly Suppliers suppliers Europay, Mastercard, and Visa $1,350 - $4,500 As required by As Incurred Suppliers (“EMV”) Point to Point suppliers Encryption (“P2P”) Services (12) Wi-Fi Services (13) $100 - $450 per month As required by Monthly Suppliers suppliers Wi-Fi Equipment (14) $1,200 - $3,000 As required by As Incurred Suppliers suppliers Digital Products Service Fee (15) $21 - $100 per month As required by 30 days after Us or Suppliers us or suppliers billing (billed annually) Server Tablet Maintenance Fee $500 per year As required by 30 days after Us for A1 POS (16) us billing Implementation Fees (17) $800 to $3,500 As required by On demand Us us Menu Management Platform Fee $90 - $180 per month per As required by Monthly Us (18) Restaurant us Customer Relationship $0 - $250 per month As required by On demand Us or Suppliers Management (“CRM”) Fee (19) us Gateway Processing Fee (20) $63 per month As required by Monthly Suppliers suppliers Guest waitlist management (21) $30 - $150 per month As required by As Incurred Suppliers suppliers BOH Reporting – Food cost, $200 set up per location; As required by As Incurred Suppliers Labor and business analytics $75-$400 per month suppliers reporting service (depending on modules selected) Applebee’s – 04/26 FDD Amendment 15 To Whom Method of When Payment Is Type of Expenditure (27) (28) Amount Payment Due To Be Made Gamification ShiftOne $45 - $70 per month As required by As Incurred Suppliers suppliers To Go Accuracy Printer for A1 $550 - $650 As required by As Incurred Suppliers POS suppliers Campaign/Menu Training (22) $1,000 per year As required by suppliers Extra Manuals (24) $0 - $250 per set As required by As Incurred Suppliers suppliers Operating Expenses During First $405,000 - $450,000 Varies based on Varies based Employees; Three Months (26) supplier and on supplier Suppliers; expense type and expense Utilities; Us type POS MDM Fee (29) $50 - $100 per month As required by Monthly Us or Suppliers us TOTAL (30) Tower II $3,870,004 - $5,822,933 Prototype (23) Celebration $3,192,516 - $5,076,178 Prototype (2025; New Prototype Not Yet Built) (25) Dual Branded $616,682 - $4,632,445 Restaurant Concept (31)

Franchisor behaviours

What the franchisor requires

21 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 10 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.

Accounting

Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 8

Franchisee shall use such bookkeeping and record keeping forms as shall be prescribed in the Manuals.

Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?

Yes

Item 8

to permit Franchisor to access, download, and retrieve electronically, by telecommunication or other designated method, any information stored in Franchisee’s electronic cash registers or on Franchisee’s computer systems, including information concerning the gross sales of the Restaurant

Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?

Yes

Item 8

Franchisee shall complete and submit to Franchisor, on a regular, continuous basis, each of the following reports, in the form specified in the Manuals: (a) monthly Restaurant reports, on or before the 12th day of each calendar month following the month to which the report relates; (b) annual Restaurant reports, on…

How the franchisor buys

Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?

Yes

Item 11

A Franchise Business Council of current Applebee’s franchisees was created and is sponsored by Applebee’s and/or its affiliates.

Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?

Yes

Item 8

Franchisor shall have the right to establish or to designate a group purchasing program from time to time (which may include a purchasing or distribution cooperative), with respect to equipment, supplies, inventory and services used in or by the Restaurant.

Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?

Yes

Item 6

Site Processing Fee ($300 per site) (1) (10) Supplier/ Costs of sample testing plus other 30 days after billing.

Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?

Yes

Item 8

If Franchisee desires to purchase any items from an unapproved supplier, Franchisee shall submit to Franchisor a written request for such approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, or shall request the supplier itself to do so.

Data and IT

Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 11

All Applebee’s Restaurants must be PCI compliant.

Franchise management

Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?

Yes

Item 8

Franchisor shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, to have its representatives enter the Restaurant premises without notice for the purpose of inspecting the condition thereof and the operation of the Restaurant

Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?

Yes

Item 8

Franchisor shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, in the good faith exercise of its reasonable business judgment, consistent with the overall best interests of the System generally, having due regard for the financial burden which may be placed upon its franchisees, to revise, amend, delete from and…

Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?

Yes

Item 8

The development of a Restaurant at any site must be approved by Franchisor in accordance with its then-existing site approval procedure.

Marketing

Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?

Yes

Item 11

You must plan and conduct a grand opening campaign for the Restaurant that is sufficient to meet the needs of the market and is conducted per the parameters set forth in the Field Marketing Intranet.

Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?

Yes

Item 6

Commencing on January 1, 2027, you will be required to spend a minimum dollar amount equal to 0.5% of total Gross Sales for local promotional activities.

Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?

Yes

Item 11

If a Cooperative has been established for a geographic area where your Restaurant is located when the Franchise Agreement is signed, or if any Cooperative is established during the term of the Franchise Agreement, you must sign all documents we request and become a member of the Cooperative per the terms of the…

Operations

Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Franchise agreement

5.10 Franchisee shall obtain all food and beverage products, equipment, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and other products and materials required for the operation of or sold at the Restaurant solely from suppliers (including manufacturers, distributors and other sources)…

Payments

Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 11

You must purchase equipment and procure services from an approved payment gateway vendor for credit card processing services.

Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?

Yes

Item 8

Franchisor or its designee may withdraw funds from Franchisee’s designated bank account by electronic funds transfer (“EFT”) in the amount of any royalties or other fees payable to Franchisor under this Agreement.

People

Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?

Yes

Item 15

Under each Franchise Agreement, you must employ a General Manager who will devote his/her full- time efforts to supervising the day-to-day operation of each Restaurant and a Kitchen Manager who will devote his/her full-time efforts to supervising the day-to-day operation of the Restaurant kitchen.

Point of sale

Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisee shall employ a point of sale system approved by Franchisor, without modification, in connection with the business of the Restaurant.

Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?

Yes

Item 11

The POS system is integrated with support and reporting tools that enable us to have independent immediate access to the information monitored and stored by the POS system, and there is no contractual limitation on our use of the information we obtain.

Training

Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?

Yes

Item 11

We reserve the right to require key brand initiatives to be cascaded to the rest of your employees by your Leader of Operations, supervisory employees, General Managers, Kitchen Managers and Assistant Managers.

The filing answers no to 3 questions
  • Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?Item 8
  • Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?Item 11
  • Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?Item 8

The vendor opportunity at Applebee's Applebee's operates as part of Dine Brands Global, alongside IHOP and Fuzzy's Taco Shop. As of December 28, 2025 there were 1,421 franchised Restaurants in the US and US Territories and 59 company-owned, run by 335 operators, concentrated in California, Florida, Indiana, New York and Texas.

Who controls software purchasing Applebee's specifies its restaurant technology down to the hardware model. John Peyton, Chief Executive Officer of Dine Brands and President of Applebee's, and Vance Chang, Chief Financial Officer of Applebee's and Dine Brands, lead a system where every restaurant must run the NCR POS Workstation, Epson printers and the QSR Kitchen Display System, with the current approved POS system being A1POS.

Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required Toast is the only approved provider of server tablets, and Freedom Pay is the approved vendor for EMV and payment processing. Olo, Inc. is the approved on-line ordering provider, and franchisees must sign an Authorized Operator Agreement for it and use Olo dispatch and rails services. The approved kitchen display system is provided by QSR and must be used at all times, every restaurant must be PCI compliant, and franchisees must provide data feeds to the Applebee’s system-wide Data Warehouse at their own expense. ShiftOne is a brand-subsidized communication tool for brand messaging, franchise communications and national contest tracking.

Procurement, renewals, and timing Applebee's runs an approved-supplier list, and franchisees' required purchases and leases run an estimated 16% to 23% of the total purchases and leases to establish a Restaurant, excluding real estate, building and site work, franchise deposit and fee.

How to read the Applebee's FDD The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document below lays out the exact A1POS, NCR, Toast and Freedom Pay requirements. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked list of full-service restaurant systems worth comparing.

Ordinary royalty terms

Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.

Questions vendors ask

Applebee's, answered from the filing

Applebee's runs a fully HQ-mandated tech stack: John Peyton, Chief Executive Officer of Dine Brands and President of Applebee's, and Vance Chang, Chief Financial Officer of both, oversee a system that specifies the exact POS, printer and payment hardware every restaurant must run, from the A1POS system to NCR workstations and Freedom Pay.
Applebee's requires the A1POS point-of-sale system, NCR POS Workstations, Epson printers and the QSR Kitchen Display System, Toast as the only approved server-tablet provider, and Freedom Pay for EMV payment processing. Olo, Inc. is the approved on-line ordering provider, and the brand has begun transitioning restaurants to Toast as the POS system.
As of December 28, 2025 there were 1,421 franchised Applebee's Restaurants in the US and US Territories plus 59 company-owned, across 335 operators, concentrated in California, Florida, Indiana, New York and Texas.
Applebee's runs an approved-supplier list: franchisees must buy from suppliers Applebee's approves in writing, with required purchases and leases estimated at 16% to 23% of the total purchases and leases to establish a Restaurant, excluding real estate, building and site work, franchise deposit and fee.
Applebee's franchise terms allow up to four 5-year renewals after the initial 20-year term, each requiring a new agreement, a fee equal to 10% of the current franchise fee, and 7-to-12-month advance notice — a predictable renewal cadence for any tech vendor tracking contract cycles.
The embedded PDF viewer below holds Applebee's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document — use it to check the exact A1POS, NCR, Toast and Freedom Pay requirements.
Source

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Applebee's2026 FDDView only

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The brands you can actually sell into, from the filings.

Operator footprint

Who runs the locations

335 operators run 1,952 mapped locations. 127 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.

Operators by units owned

Single-unit208
2–9 units82
25+ units24
10–24 units21

Top states by locations

CA204
FL165
IN108
NY93
TX91

Ownership

The portfolio behind Applebee's

Ownership: Dine Brands Global.

Sibling brands

Related Full service restaurant brands

Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.