Applebee’s Raises More Than $1.2 Million Dollars for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
- Fourth annual campaign reaches major milestone in the quest to find a cure for pediatric cancer -

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Receives $1.2 Million from Applebee's Restaurants

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation announced that they are $1.2 million closer to finding a cure for pediatric cancer.  The campaign, led by The Rose Group, a local franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants and its partner franchisees Apple American, Apple Two and Bloomin’ Apple, have rallied support from communities near and far to raise much needed money in memory of Alex Scott who dedicated her short life to battling cancer, one cup of lemonade at time.

Photo (left to right):  Harry T. Rose, chairman and CEO, The Rose Group; Liz and Jay Scott, Alex's parents, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation; Gary Koch, market president/east coast, Apple American Group; Jeff Warden, president and COO, The Rose Group. 

NEWTOWN, PA, August 19, 2008 – Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation announced today that they are $1.2 million closer to finding a cure for pediatric cancer.  The campaign, led by The Rose Group, a local franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants and its partner franchisees Apple American, Apple Two and Bloomin’ Apple, have rallied support from communities near and far to raise much needed money in memory of Alex Scott who dedicated her short life to battling cancer, one cup of lemonade at time.  

The story began in 2005 when Liz Scott, Alex’s mother, reached out to executives at The Rose Group in an effort to gain support from local businesses for the new foundation dedicated to their daughter.  Armed with 67 restaurants in Southeast PA, Southern NJ, Delaware, Baltimore, Wilkes Barre/Scranton and the Lehigh Valley, the two organizations worked hand-in-hand over four weeks and raised $166,000 dollars by selling cups of lemonade and paper lemons at their restaurant locations. 

Over the next three summers, the coalition extended to more than 100 restaurants and expanded to include a wide variety of events ranging from golf outings, in-restaurant lemonade stands and contests, to bake sales, fairs and car washes.

As the program grew, so did the dollar amount raised.  By 2006, the program reached $276,000, and in 2007, that figure grew to over $355,000.  That set the stage for this year’s $1.2 million milestone.

“From the very beginning, we were dedicated to raising as much as possible in support of this important cause,” said Harry T. Rose, chairman and CEO of The Rose Group. “But when we saw how our restaurant neighborhoods rallied behind us year after year in our efforts, we knew we were on the verge of something big.  And each year, we raised the bar higher and before long, the dream of reaching one million dollars became a reality.”

For Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, this reality is very close to home.  Alex Scott was only four-years-old when she opened her first lemonade stand on her front lawn in July of 2000.  Her idea was simple – sell cups of lemonade to help “her doctors” find a cure for kids with cancer.  What ensued, despite her deteriorating health, was a personal mission to raise $1 million.  

“When Alex told us that she was going to raise one million dollars, we weren’t sure how to respond,” said Liz Scott.  “She was a little girl with a big dream.  Here we are eight years after we hung the first lemonade sign outside of our home, and Applebee’s is donating $1 million to her cause.  It’s amazing, and we are extraordinarily grateful for their support.”

With the help of corporate sponsors and thousands of individual lemonade stands nationwide, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has funded over 80 research projects at 40 institutions across the country – many in Applebee’s restaurants’ communities. 

“The goal of Applebee’s is to provide a fun and friendly atmosphere where family, friends, and neighbors can come together,” said Harry Rose. “Nothing speaks louder to this commitment than when we connect with our restaurant guests and work together towards a better tomorrow for our neighbors.” 

Statistically, pediatric cancer is something most communities can relate to.  On average, one in every four elementary schools has a child with cancer and the average high school has two students who are current or former cancer patients.  What’s more, one in every 330 Americans develops cancer before the age of 20, and on average 36 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer everyday in the United States. 

“Alex’s Lemonade Stand won’t stop until there is a cure for this devastating disease,” added Harry Rose.  “And we will continue to support them in their efforts to fund new research, treatments, hopes and dreams for the millions of children, just like Alex.”

About The Rose Group
The Rose Group, headquartered in Newtown, PA, is the 37th largest restaurant franchise company in the United States. They currently own and operate 58 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware.  The company was recently selected as the first franchisee for Corner Bakery Cafe and plans to add approximately 25 new Corner Bakery Cafe units in the Philadelphia and South Jersey markets.  The Rose Group also co-owns and operates The Shannon Rose, an independent Irish pub and restaurant in North Jersey.  More information on The Rose Group can be found on their web site at www.therosegroup.com.

About Apple American Group
Apple American Group LLC owns and operates over 135 Applebee's restaurants in California, Delaware, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and West Virginia.  Apple American Group was recently named Franchisee of the Year by Applebee's International and has been the top developer in the Applebee's system for several years. Nation's Restaurant News recognized Apple American as the 4th fastest
growing large restaurant company in America in 2005, just ahead of Starbucks. With over 9,000 employees and $400 million in projected 2007 sales, Apple American Group is the largest franchisee in the Applebee's system, and is now the third largest restaurant franchisee of any kind in the country.

About Apple Two Associates
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Apple Two Associates is a premiere hospitality company and franchisee of Applebee’s Services, Inc. and operates 27 restaurants in North Florida, South Georgia, Southern Alabama and San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas.

About Bloomin’ Apple
The Bloomin’ Apple, LLC, headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, SC owns and operates 19 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in Northern and Central Illinois, Beloit and Janesville, Wisconsin and Burlington, Iowa.

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $20 million towards fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 80 research projects nationally including those examining leukemia, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumor, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma among others.

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