Are you ready to rock your taste buds and your fundraising goals? Then let’s talk about the Applebee’s fundraiser!
The neighborhood grill and bar we all know and love is more than just a spot for sizzling steaks and mouth-watering mozzarella sticks.
In fact, in the great salad bowl of fundraising opportunities, Applebee’s has tossed together a unique blend of community engagement and culinary delight.
If you’ve been dreaming about combining your love for good food with your passion for your cause, then buckle up, foodie philanthropists. You’re in for a savory treat!
Join us as we explore this restaurant fundraising idea, where every appetizer, entree, and dessert has the potential to make a real impact.
Let’s raise funds for your cause, one riblet platter at a time!
Table of Contents
- What Is An Applebee’s Fundraiser?
- Who Can Start An Applebee’s Fundraiser?
- How Does An Applebee’s Fundraiser Work?
- How To Start An Applebee’s Fundraiser
- Is Applebee’s Fundraising Right For You?
What Is An Applebee’s Fundraiser?
An Applebee’s fundraiser involves working with the grill and bar restaurant chain to raise funds for your group.
The company allows you to run multiple types of fundraisers:
- Dine To Donate
- Flapjack fundraiser
- Donation requests
- Gift cards
- Other ideas
Dine to Donate, flapjack fundraisers, and donation requests require you to work directly with the restaurant and are only available at select locations.
Meanwhile, gift card fundraisers are run by third-party companies and are available at any location.
We discuss how each of these fundraising ideas works later on.
Who Can Start An Applebee’s Fundraiser?
To qualify for an Applebee’s fundraiser, your group must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status.
According to their sign-up portal, the restaurant chain offers fundraising in the following markets:
- Alabama
- Central Coast California
- Central Valley California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Las Vegas/Henderson
- Minnesota/Wisconsin
- New England North (NH, ME, VT, and Plattsburgh, NY)
- New England South (MA and RI)
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Northern California/Reno
- Ohio (Cleveland/Akron/Canton)
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania/West Virginia (Pittsburgh)
- Southern California
- Vancouver/Spokane/Tri Cities
- Washington
However, even if you’re not a 501(c)(3) and or your local Applebee’s doesn’t offer fundraising, you still have options.
For example, to qualify for a RaiseRight gift card fundraiser, you just need to fall into one of these categories:
- Public and private schools (tuition costs, supplies, programs)
- Churches (operating expenses, mission trips, youth programs)
- Sports teams (travel expenses, uniforms, equipment)
- Booster clubs
- PTO/PTA
- Bands
- Other Nonprofits
Better yet, anyone can start a cashback or gift card fundraiser with FlipGive, including families using it for personal use!
How Does An Applebee’s Fundraiser Work?
The Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant offers multiple ways to raise funds for your cause.
Below, we discuss how each type of Applebee’s fundraiser works.
Dine To Donate
In an Applebee’s Dine to Donate fundraiser, you invite your supporters to eat at a specified restaurant at the certain time.
Typically, you can schedule your fundraiser anytime from Sunday to Thursday between 11am and close. However, they do offer some flexibility depending on the location.
Be sure to book the restaurant at least for weeks in advance of your desired event date.
During your fundraiser, 15% of each purchase is donated back to your cause.
To get credit for the purchases, your supporters must show a digital or paper flyer to the server or To Go Order Specialist.
For online orders, diners must enter the promo code DOINGGOOD to receive credit.
Finally, Applebee’s calculates your donation amount and submits a request to their corporate headquarters to send you a check. It can take up to three weeks to receive your payment.
Keep in mind that this event-based fundraiser isn’t available at every restaurant location.
To figure out if your local Applebee’s participates in Dine To Donate, begin filling out this application.
Additionally, to be eligible, your organization must be a tax exempt 510(c)(3) nonprofit.
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser
In an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser, you sell tickets to a breakfast event at the restaurant.
This option is typically only available during non-business hours, either Saturday or Sunday from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Also, you need to submit your request at least four weeks in advance.
Each ticket is redeemable for one breakfast including:
- Pancakes
- Bacon
- Breakfast potatoes
- Coffee
- Milk
- Juice
- Soft drinks
While you get to set the price of each ticket, Applebee’s collects $5 for each ticket sold. So, if you sell 100 tickets for $10 per ticket, you and the restaurant make $500 each ($1,000 total).
Bear in mind Applebee’s cut of the money is due at least one week prior to the fundraiser. Additionally, there is a 100 ticket minimum in order to hold the event. There’s also a 300 ticket maximum.
Finally, remember that you need to be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization in order to be eligible to hold a fundraising event.
If Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser is successful, you may choose to run another one. However, only one event per group per quarter is allowed.
To figure out if your local restaurant offers this type of event, start filling out this application.
Donation Request
The last option for raising funds directly with Applebee’s is through donation requests. The restaurant makes donations to select nonprofit groups in the form of gift certificates.
While you can’t request a specific amount, you do get a chance to explain why you’re making the request. Then the restaurant chain will determine the donation amount.
Keep in mind that the following markets do not accept donation requests:
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Pennsylvania
- California
- Colorado
However, you can submit a request in the following markets:
- Alabama
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Minnesota/Wisconsin
- New England North (NH, ME, VT, and Plattsburgh, NY)
- New England South (MA and RI)
- New Jersey
- Ohio (Cleveland/Akron/Canton)
- Oregon
- Vancouver/Spokane/Tri Cities
- Washington
Finally, remember to submit your donation request at least four weeks in advance. Your donation will be mailed to the contact address you list when submitting your request.
Gift Cards
The next Applebee’s fundraising strategy involves selling gift cards and earning a percentage on each gift card sale.
When your supporters use your fundraising code to purchase these gift cards, a portion of the sale goes toward bolstering your cause.
Two companies support this method: RaiseRight and FlipGive.
RaiseRight
Your cause can earn up to 8% from an Applebee’s gift card with RaiseRight. And the cherry on top? Your supporters can choose from a plethora of other companies!
To get started, register your group with RaiseRight. After approval, you can share your unique link and code with your supporters.
Finally, you can use your RaiseRight Dashboard to track progress, and transfer funds to your organization.
RaiseRight offers a higher profit margin than FlipGive, making this the better option for gift card-only fundraising.
FlipGive
Alternatively, you can raise funds with Gift Cards through FlipGive.
While FlipGive only offers 5% profit from an Applebee’s gift card, they also provide the option to earn cashback on everyday purchases.
For example, with FlipGive, a portion of supporters’ purchases from most major brands can be donated back to your cause.
Since supporters need to make these purchases anyway, they’re more likely to contribute to your cause.
So, if you’re looking to raise funds from cashback and multiple types of purchases, but with a lower profit margin, this is your best option.
Other Ideas
Finally, Applebee’s allows you to submit new fundraising ideas and requests if they don’t have what you’re looking for.
According to the company’s website:
“Applebee’s is eager to partner with local schools & non-profits on special projects that serve our communities.”
So, if you think the restaurant chain could really help your organization, don’t hesitate to submit an idea!
How To Start An Applebee’s Fundraiser
To start an Applebee’s fundraiser, the first step is deciding which type you want to organize.
Whichever type you choose, remember to submit your application at least four weeks in advance.
If you want to start a Dine To Donate event, you can fill out this application.
To start a Flapjack Fundraiser, enter your info on this form.
For donation requests, complete this application.
To start a RaiseRight gift card fundraiser, the first step is enrolling your organization.
Once you’re approved, you’ll get your fundraising code, and you can share it with your supporters.
For FlipGive gift card and cashback fundraising, you need to sign your group up on the website.
After creating your account, you invite supporters to your team. When they start shopping, your cause will start earning money.
You can also submit a new Applebee’s fundraising idea, you can fill out this form.
Finally, if you’re really looking to raise a lot of funds, fill out this form and we’ll connect you with one of our fundraising partners. They offer tons of great products to raise funds for your cause, and we believe it’s the most profitable type of fundraising venture.
Note: We do not work directly with any restaurant partners, so the best way to work with them is to contact your local restaurant directly. To work with our partners, fill out our form and we’ll help you get started in no time!
Is Applebee’s Fundraising Right For You?
If you’re looking to eat good in the neighborhood while doing good in your neighborhood, an Applebee’s fundraiser is a great idea!
The restaurant chain is one of the few that makes it simple to start a fundraiser, so why not take advantage?
However, if you’re looking for similar restaurant fundraisers, check out:
Keep in mind that you can really maximize your fundraising capabilities by utilizing multiple types of fundraisers.
So, if you want to raise as much money for your cause as possible, fill out this form and we’ll help you get on the path to success!
