Applebee’s preps for facelift

ALBANY — Applebee’s, an Albany restaurant for 22 years, will receive an extensive makover both inside and out, according to Heather Johnson, marketing director for Apple Two Associates Inc., the franchise that owns the Albany Applebee’s and 14 others in the southeast.

Some exterior work, including replacement of the striped awnings with oversized fabrics, will be done before the scheduled May 6 closing for internal renovations, Johnson said, but will be completed after business hours. Applebee’s is scheduled to reopen on May 9 at 5 p.m.

According to Steve Good, general manager of the local Applebee’s, a unique addition to the restaurant’s decor will be neighborhood murals — renderings of community landmarks or traditions, including Chehaw Park, schools and plantation quail hunts. The images are created from existing photographs and will be an integral part of the Applebee’s wallpaper.

“Our customers in Albany will be able to recognize each other in the wallpaper,” Johnson said. “It’s kind of neat.”

In addition to the physical makeover, Applebee’s service staff will be retrained and recertified according to the corporate standard, Good said, to insure competence in the kitchen procedures used to create new menu items.

“(Kitchen staff) will have some meetings at night,” Good said, “just to be sure everyone is up to standards and we’re all on the same wavelength.”

According to Johnson, a new promotional menu will be in place following renovations and will include items such as “sizzlin’ Chicken Fundito,” “Sizzlin’ N’awlins Skillit” and “Blackened Chicken, Shrimp and Andouille Sauce with Rice.”