Local Annapolis Resident Wins Volvo as Part of $1 Million Campaign
- Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar Set to Give Away Car in Celebration of Over $1 Million Dollars Raised for Alex’s Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer -

NEWTOWN, PA, August 29, 2008 – In the spirit of giving back to the Annapolis community who had generously given so much to support children in need this summer, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar awarded the keys to a 2008 Volvo C30 to Jason Olbrich of Annapolis Thursday. Throughout the summer-long campaign, area Applebee’s restaurants sold paper lemons to raise money for the foundation supporting children and families facing pediatric cancer. Olbrich, a local contributor, had his paper lemon randomly selected by Applebee’s to win the Volvo, valued at over $22,500.

The campaign, led by The Rose Group, a local franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants, and their partner franchisees Apple American, Apple Two and Bloomin’ Apple, sold over 28,000 paper lemons, with all proceeds benefiting the non-profit foundation. With the help of the local community’s generous donations throughout the summer, Applebee’s surpassed its goal, reaching $1.2 million raised.

“We want to extend our sincere thanks to our winner, Jason, and to every Applebee’s customer who purchased a paper lemon or bought a glass of lemonade in support of our Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation campaign, helping us reach our million dollar goal,” said Harry T. Rose, chairman and CEO of The Rose Group. “Today we are here to celebrate a true community milestone, as our goal would not have been reached without the support of the Annapolis community, and all of the communities we serve.”

This was a momentous summer for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation as they are now $1.2 million closer to fulfilling Alex Scott’s dream of finding a cure. Alex Scott was only four-years-old when she opened her first lemonade stand on her front lawn in July of 2000. Today, with the help of corporate sponsors, like Applebee’s, her legacy lives on in the hope of someday putting an end to pediatric cancer.

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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