Apple American Group Founder, Chairman and CEO, Greg Flynn, launched Flynn Restaurant Group LLC and expanded his restaurant portfolio with the addition of a quick-service concept. The company will now operate with two divisions, Apple American Group and Bell American Group.
The new Bell American Group resulted from the acquisition of the assets of Southern Bells Inc., a franchisee with 76 quick-service restaurants (principally Taco Bell restaurants) throughout Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Founded by Craig Fenneman and Charles Brown, the Southern Bells business consisted of a very high quality portfolio of restaurants run by a top-notch operations team. Going forward Bell American Group will benefit from the same superb operations under the day-to-day leadership of Charles Brown, who will stay on as President of Bell American Group.
Apple American Group, Flynn’s expanding casual-dining group, is comprised of 438 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in 23 states.
“We are excited to kick off 2013 with this re-organization and the opportunity to take the talent we’ve developed for restaurant franchising to another concept while keeping our focus on Applebee’s intact,” said Greg Flynn, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Apple American Group. “Applebee’s is an incredible brand that represents exactly what we love about this business – that neighborhood gathering place with come-back cuisine – and we will continue to grow that division as opportunities arise.”
Recognized as the largest franchisee in the Applebee’s system and, domestically, of any concept in the restaurant industry, this expansion and rebranding represents a diversification of Flynn’s restaurant portfolio which up until now has been solely focused on Applebee’s.
Flynn Restaurant Group’s focus on Applebee’s will be realized through its remodel and development plans for 2013. More than 100 of the group’s Applebee’s restaurants will be remodeled this year alone, and the group is also building 14 new restaurants. Over the next four years Apple American Group expects to develop in excess of 60 new Applebee’s restaurants.
“Our focus on building new units and keeping the environments of our current restaurants fresh is just one example of our investment in the Applebee’s brand,” said Flynn. “This dedication to the restaurant experience also will extend to Bell American Group management.”
Flynn Restaurant Group LLC owns and operates 514 restaurants in 25 states, employing more approximately 28,000 employees and generating $1.25 billion in annual revenues. Its two divisions, Apple American Group and Bell American Group, represent 438 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bars and 76 Yum! Brands restaurants respectively. Flynn Restaurant Group is the largest U.S. franchisee in the restaurant industry. More information is available at www.appleamerican.com.
