Doherty Enterprises’ Applebee’s® Restaurants Kick Off 28th Annual Toys for Tots® Campaign

Guests in New Jersey and Long Island Can Help Reach $6 Million in Lifetime Donations Through In-Restaurant Holiday Giving and Breakfast with Santa Events

Allendale, NJ (PRUnderground) November 5th, 2026

Doherty Enterprises, Inc., a leading franchisee for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar® in New York City, Long Island, N.Y., and New Jersey, is continuing its longstanding commitment to local families through its 28th annual Toys for Tots® campaign. This year, Doherty Enterprises aims to raise $250,000, which would bring its total lifetime contributions to Toys for Tots to $6 million since the partnership began in 1998.

From November 2, 2026, through January 3, 2027, guests can support Toys for Tots through several fundraising opportunities at participating Doherty-owned Applebee’s restaurants in New Jersey and Long Island. Guests can purchase paper gift packs, round up their checks, or make a donation in the amount of their choice. In addition, $0.25 from every Mucho Long Beach Tea sold at participating Doherty-owned Applebee’s restaurants in New York City, Westchester County, Long Island, and New Jersey will be donated to Toys for Tots.*

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Toys for Tots® for the 28th consecutive year and help make the holiday season brighter for children in our local communities,” said Timothy Doherty, President and COO of Doherty Enterprises. “Reaching $6 million in lifetime contributions would be an incredible milestone, made possible by the generosity of our guests and the dedication of our team members. We’re grateful for their continued support and commitment to making a meaningful difference for local families year after year.”

Guests who donate $10 or more during their visit will receive a coupon for a complimentary appetizer on a future visit.** In addition, select Applebee’s restaurants across New Jersey and Long Island will host Breakfast with Santa events on December 5.  Families can enjoy breakfast, take photos with Santa, and participate in festive activities, raffles and giveaways, all while supporting Toys for Tots.  

Proceeds from these activities will benefit the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program and support children and families in local neighborhoods.

For more information about Doherty Enterprises, its community involvement, and current job openings, visit http://www.dohertyinc.com.

* Must be 21 or older to purchase or consume alcohol.

**Complimentary appetizer offer valid at participating locations. Dine-in only. Offer valid 11/2/26-1/3/27. Limit one coupon per [party/guest] per visit. Not valid with other coupons or discounts. No cash value. Coupon void if copied, photographed, scanned, reproduced, digitally reproduced or altered in any way. Additional restrictions may apply. See restaurant for details.

About Applebee’s®

As one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar serves as America’s kitchen table, offering guests a lively dining experience that combines simple, craveable American fare with classic drinks and local drafts. Applebee’s makes it easy for family and friends to connect with one another, whether it’s in a dining room or in the comfort of a living room, Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood™ is a familiar and affordable escape from the everyday. Applebee’s restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to more than serving great food, but also building up the communities that we call home. From raising money for local charities to hosting community fundraisers, Applebee’s is always Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood®.  Applebee’s and its franchise operations together consisted of 1,557 Applebee’s restaurants globally as of June 28, 2026.  Applebee’s is franchised by subsidiaries of Dine Brands Global Inc. [NYSE: DIN], which is one of the world’s largest full-service restaurant companies.

About Doherty Enterprises, Inc.

Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates more than 160 restaurants in New Jersey and New York, including seven restaurant concepts: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Wendy’s, Jinya Ramen Bar, Chevys Fresh Mex, and its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. In addition, Doherty Enterprises is also a franchisee of Sola Salon Studios with 15 locations in Staten Island and New Jersey. 

Doherty Enterprises is ranked 27th Largest Franchisee in the United States by Restaurant Finance Monitor, is recognized as the 80th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States by Nation’s Restaurant News, the 67th largest privately held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business, and 26th in NJ’s Top 250 privately held companies & 5th Largest Family-Owned Business Based on Employees in New Jersey by NJBIZ. 

The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve,” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow our People, Wow Our Communities, and Wow Our Suppliers.” Doherty Enterprises has also been lending a helping hand to team members and their immediate families when financially burdened through the WOW a Friend Foundation. To date, the foundation has assisted more than 4,200 people and donated over $5.7 million directly back to those in need. (www.DohertyInc.com).