Pros
Applebee's provides a great atmosphere for teamwork and building relationships. Enables employees to develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Management truly attempts to right any wrongs that customers may experience during a visit. Provides a positive image in the community through advertising. However, this image is sometimes lost at the store level.
Cons
Strategic direction at the executive level is lacking. Internal employees are offered management positions. Applebee's employees who are promoted to management positions have no managerial experience or education in the field. They have substantial knowledge of Applebee's, but their lack of a managerial mindset makes it difficult for them to implement change. Each store is unique in how it functions. I would prefer a more uniform business structure throughout franchises.
