Select Doherty-Owned Applebee’s® Restaurants in New Jersey and New York Launch Annual “Stuff the Bus” School Supply Drive

Doherty Enterprises, Inc., a franchisee for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar in New York City, Long Island, NY, and New Jersey, is announcing the return of its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive to benefit local students and classrooms ahead of the new school year.

Participating Doherty-owned Applebee’s locations will once again welcome the community to “stuff the bus” placing a bright yellow school bus in their parking lots as a collection point for school supply donations. Guests can contribute new school supplies or make monetary donations to benefit local students and education partners.

In addition to collecting much needed classroom supplies, select Doherty-owned Applebee’s restaurants will also host fundraisers, such as flapjack breakfasts and bake sales. To learn more about additional fundraisers for Stuff the Bus, guests should check with their local Applebee’s restaurants.

All collected items will be loaded directly onto the bus and delivered to nearby schools or community organizations helping students start the school year off right with the supplies they need to succeed.

“Supporting the communities we serve is at the heart of everything we do,” said Timothy Doherty, President of Doherty Enterprises. “Each year, our Stuff the Bus campaign brings neighbors, guests and local organizations together at their local Applebee’s to help students start the school year with the supplies they need. Seeing our communities rally around this effort and make a meaningful difference for local families is incredible.”

Guests and community members are encouraged to drop off donations during their next Applebee’s visit and enjoy a great meal while supporting an inspiring community cause.

The campaign will take place at select Doherty-owned Applebee's locations, including:

LOCATION	Donation Period	Bus at Restaurant	School / Org
Lindenhurst, NY	Through August 8	August 8	Fiercely Leading Youth, Inc
Linden, NJ	Through August 27	August 27	Linden Youth
North Bergen, NJ	Through August 15	August 15	Robert Fulton # 2 School
Howell, NJ	Through August 19	August 31	Howell Twp Public Schools
Hackettstown, NJ	Through August 1	Indoor bus display	Oxford Central School
Mount Olive, NJ	Through August 19	August 15 – 16	Byram Township School District
Bridgewater, NJ	Through August 28	August 28	Adamsville Elementary School
Staten Island (New Dorp), NY	Through September 20	Indoor bus display	Kids Against Cancer

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 1,498 Applebee’s restaurants globally as of March 29, 2026. This number does not include 71 company-owned Applebee’s restaurants. 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.