Beth Nestlerode

Diccicco Battista Communications

484-342-3600 ext. 225

bnestlerode@dbcommunications.net

 

NEWTOWN, PA, July 21, 2010– Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, and Corner Bakery Cafe today announced they have raised more than $2 million for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) over the past six years. The Rose Group, a Pennsylvania-based franchisee of Applebee’s and Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants, and its partner Apple American Group, the Applebee’s franchisee in South Jersey and Delaware, led the annual fundraiser. The companies have rallied support from their local communities, raising much needed money for pediatric cancer research in memory of Alex Scott, who dedicated her short life to battling childhood cancer “one cup of lemonade at a time.”  

 

“This is the sixth year we have been committed to helping raise money for pediatric cancer research, and each year the support from the community is overwhelming,” said Harry T. Rose, chairman of The Rose Group. “Our goal this year was to reach $2 million raised for the foundation, and with the help of the community and numerous volunteers we have exceeded our goal. It’s an honor to be a part of such an important cause, continuing one child’s dream in the fight against cancer.”

 

A total of 82 participating Applebee’s restaurants also donated 25 cents from every glass of lemonade sold to Alex’s. Guests who donated $5 toward the charity were entered in a contest to win free Applebee’s meals for a year and received $5 off their next Car-side order. Local restaurants also went above and beyond by hosting various events, including in-restaurant lemonade stands, contests, carnivals and car washes. All the restaurants involved reached or exceeded their set goals, including Easton, who raised $25,535, Trexlertown who raised $15,404, Pottstown who raised $12,409, and Voorhees who raised $6,670.  Local Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants raised a total of $5,698 by selling $1 paper lemons over the five-week initiative.

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 “To think that this all started with a simple lemonade stand in our front yard ten years ago is incredible,” said Liz Scott. “Without the support of organizations such as The Rose Group, The Apple American Group and the efforts of local community members, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

 

Starting in 2005 and armed with more than 100 restaurants in Southeastern PA, Southern NJ, Delaware, Baltimore, Wilkes Barre/Scranton and the Lehigh Valley, The Rose Group and Apple American have worked hand-in-hand over the past six years on this fundraiser. With the help of corporate sponsors and thousands of individual stands nationwide, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has funded more than 125 research projects nationally and has raised over $30 million towards cancer research.

 

“Our restaurants and their surrounding communities are very passionate about this cause, and each year the response continues to be inspiring. We are already looking forward to next year,” continued Rose.

The Rose Group, headquartered in Newtown, PA, is the 37th largest restaurant franchise company in the United States. They currently own and operate 59 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. The company is the first franchisee for Corner Bakery Cafe, operating four cafes in Eastern Pennsylvania. The Rose Group also co-owns and operates The Shannon Rose, an independent Irish pub and restaurant in North Jersey. More information on The Rose Group can be found on their web site at www.therosegroup.com.

 

Apple American Group LLC owns and operates approximately 189 Applebee’s restaurants in California, Delaware, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Washington and West Virginia.  Apple American Group is the top franchise developer in the Applebee’s® system with average growth of over 10% per year.   With over 11,000 employees Apple American Group is the largest franchisee in the Applebee’s® system, and is one of the 10 largest franchisees of any concept in the world.

 

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). 2010 marks 10 years since 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $30 million towards fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 125 research projects nationally.

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