great place to gain experience - Server Applebee's Employee Review

2.0
Oct 26, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Quality training. Management is very capable of doing their job as well as everyone else's, while still being pretty understanding and laid back. Really a great place to gain experience when you're new to the service industry, or need some income fast. Also great for practicing dealing with difficult people.

Cons

Customer's can be absolutely horrible. I've been in the service/bar industry for almost 10 years, all over the Dallas metroplex and I've never dealt with so many unrealistic, impolite, and demanding customers-- and so consistently. This is the only place I've ever worked where I would consistently leave with an average of 10% tips. It'd be one thing if I was negative to customers, slow, or inaccurate-- but if I was, then why was I being offered bar and management positions within my first month? Given occasional amazing tips from friendly customers? Averaged +20% everywhere else I've worked? This was also in a very affluent area, so its concerning to think how it may be at other locations. It'd be unrealistic to expect every customer to leave awesome tips, be mindful of their mess, be polite to their server's, etc... but it'd also be unrealistic to expect always getting stiffed, meals comped, food smeared around the tables, etc. unless you work here. The management would always take the "Customer's always right" approach, even when they knew fully well the situation and seemed like they didn't want to. As if they're bonded by corporate to do so, or something... Many "regulars" would come in to take advantage of us, and the managers would actually comp some of their meals and even offer them more gift cards to keep them coming back. It doesn't take a biz wiz to know that's LOSING money and enabling bad clientele culture AND losing many quality employees. Half of the staff was pretty slow, but its understandable since good workers will quickly find other opportunities. It seems like a self sustaining cycle at this point. I just felt so bad for the managers and any capable staff members...

Explore other reviews about Applebee's

5.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible and good cash tips

Cons

Have to work weekends which isn’t the best

2.0
Jun 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Short drive, Half off food, Will work with you with your schedule.

Cons

GM unprofessional. Not appreciated for your experience and what u can bring to the table. Tips were poor. Poor customer base. Antiquated POS. No patience to train properly. Are bullies. Heating and AC do not work properly. Extreme favoritism. Do not recommend. Oh and if you didn't make your sales quota, u were told you would lose hours. If a table walked out without paying, they made u pay the difference. Callous, unprofessional, employees came last. Sales is all that matters.

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