Applebee’s Services, Inc. (ASI) presented its 2011 “Franchisee of the Year†award to franchisee Ed Doherty, owner of 22 Long Island Applebee’s, at its recent national conference. The award honors outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for the brand?and Doherty Enterprises, Inc., which owns and operates 61 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar® restaurants in New Jersey and Long Island, is the sole three-time recipient of this distinction.
In presenting the award, Mike Archer, Applebee’s president, explained what sets the Doherty group apart: “This franchisee is a testament to how strong an organizational culture can be when the top priority for its leader is developing a strong, vibrant brand culture. His team lives its culture, breathes its culture and believes its culture.†Archer also touted Doherty’s commitment to its neighbors, “in the past twelve months, his company has raised more than $1.2 million for charities and community organizations. They support a range of causes—a 9/11 Memorial Bike Run, the American Cancer Society, and the U.S. Marine Corps “Toys for Tots.â€