Tens of thousands of Applebee’s and IHOP workers around the country face financial ruin in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and response.

But so far Dine Brands (parent company of Applebee’s and IHOP) and franchises across the country have done nothing to help its laid-off restaurant workers.

On behalf of Applebee's and IHOP workers, we are calling on Dine Brands and all Applebee's franchises to offer comprehensive paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and income relief to all its workers affected by this public health crisis.

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emails sent to Dine Brands (parent of Applebee's and IHOP).

Email Applebee's and tell them to support their workers!

Our Stories

Shannon Goff

Bridgeville, PA
"The owners don't give a crap about us. They want us to promote the business and make them money but when it comes to hard times like this, they don't care. Not one pay check or even a gift card for any of us employees or a phone call. It's extremely hard for us to make rent out food on the table or even get prescriptions. Sucks having to ask for help when we're all are suffering. Thank God there's people like ROC United that cares about us. CEO's need to give up some of that money and do a nice donation for us employees."

Nichole Sullivan

Chesapeake, VA
"I’ve been at Applebee’s since 2015 full-time. This company has done NOTHING for me."

Rick Marshall

Van Nuys, CA
"My restaurant closed on 3/15/2020 due to concerns about the virus. My income went from about $750 a week to zero in the blink of an eye. I am my sole supporter. My rent is $1500 and there is no way I can pay that and my health insurance and medicines and food. I will be in the street. I had $750 saved toward my April rent when this happened. I am going to have to dip into that to eat. I pray that help will arrive so that I can stay in my home."

Sebastian Miller

Orlando, FL
"I was an Applebee's employee for six years. I was subjected to being clocked out while I was working, bullied by my managers & cooks, and having discriminatory things said to me about my race & religion. Employees can't even approach their manager without hearing them scream and blame the employee over it. This company is doomed for failure because they put money over everything and are the epitome of corporate greed."

Elizabeth Teal

Petersburg, FL
"I have worked for Applebee's for 15 years. I finally became a manager after waiting until i was older and ready for the position. Then, this pandemic hit and i was given these options: 1) Quit or 2) Be demoted and do carside with a massive paycut. I am supposed to be an essential worker but I get demoted and take a pay cut. I'm helping to keep their business running and their pockets full while my bills rack up."

Elii Norals

Mesa, AZ
"Before all of this happened, I had goals I had planned to save money for a car. I had a trip planned for out of state that is also not happening. I’ve never felt so broke before. It’s been a pain to get on food stamps and unemployment to try and keep this house hold sane. COVID-19 has brought lots of trouble and is making it a lot harder for me being a server just trying to survive."

Tiffany Rivers

Oklahoma City, OK
"I work for IHOP and being out of work these last six and a half weeks have been super hard and stressful! Having no income really hurts, especially when bills are racking up. Even after all this is done, we still have to pay but with what? Please end this and let us go back to work."

Keri Jordan

Excelsior Springs, MO
"When we first got the news that our store was shutting down for COVID-19, there were so many things running through my mind. Like how will bills get paid, how we would survive, and how long will we be out of work? Those were the questions that I stressed over. Hoping and praying we will be back safe and healthy and well rested."

MJ Smith

Milton, FL
"Went in to pick up my check on March 20th. Boss says, 'So I will see you tomorrow, correct?' Of course I said yes. Go to work the next morning only to find out that we are closed. No one contacted me. Haven't heard a peep out of management since then. I am having to rely on local food drives for food, and that's if i am even able to procure some of it before it is depleted. IHOP corporate won't return my calls or emails. They have just deserted the people that made them what they are."

Maria Rios

San Fernando, CA
"Since March 3rd, I have been unemployed from my job and it is so hard to survive in this pandemic, bring food to our tables, and the essential stuff."

Christina Dodson

Stockbridge, GA
"I've been a waitress at IHOP for over 2 years. I was taken out of work 2 weeks before my store closed down. Dr orders due to systems related to the virus. I have been out of work little over 2 months now still waiting on unemployment and my stimulus check. I have 3 kids and haven't been able to pay any bills."

Joy Phothirath

Tampa, FL
"I recently lost my job due to COVID-19 and I am a single mother that takes care of her 17-year-old son who is about to graduate this year which he will not be able to walk down the aisle like everybody else. I also take care of my 66 year-old mother who has medical problems, I work as much as I can at Applebee's to make ends meet. Before this pandemic, I was still struggling but now it’s come to even worse circumstances."

Miranda Fitzgerald

Gainesville, FL
"I moved to Florida in December 2019 looking for a fresh start after leaving an abusive relationship. I couldn’t have been more excited when I was hired by Applebee’s; it meant I had a chance at a new life. Since I’ve been laid off, I had to leave the room I was renting and now I am looking for somewhere new to stay. Everything I had planned has been ruined and I really don’t know what to do now. I desperately need a car but I’m being turned down for financing because I am unemployed. Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read this!"

Laurel Brown

Cincinnati, OH
"I lost the place I was living at because I couldn't pay rent. I am currently crashing on a friend's couch with my dog. I have never been in this position and I feel like I am just in the way. I've been trying to get unemployment now for 5 weeks and still nothing. I still haven't received the stimulus check and at this point, I feel like I'm not going to. I'm even applying for any job out there right now. I'm struggling hard. And I am scared."

MIchelle Swenson

Plainfield, IL
"Before the shutdown, I was working nearly 60 hours a week, 35-40 of which were management shifts, and the additional 15-20 were bar and serving shifts. When the shutdown started I was given hours, approximately 20, to work to-go. I was not allowed to work any of those shifts because I am an hourly employee. All hourly positions were cut and the restaurant was ran by salaried managers. Now the restaurant is completely shut down. I am completely out of a job, and have no job security. I am struggling to pay bills and supply groceries for my family."

Lynnette Bradley

Ypsilanti, MI
"I have for 4 children who need food and supplies. We actually were living in a hotel and the hotel put us out after I was forced not to come to work by the government and now my children and I are suffering living place to place. If we are a family and we share core values, then why can’t you stand by your team that hasn’t deserted you and always came when you needed? Now we need your help, help us survive."

Sheyla Horner

Paducah, KY
"I am a single mother of two with no support at all. I was in no way prepared to wake up one morning and not be able to work anymore. I am the soul provider for my kids and need some help. I’ve been an employee for Applebee’s for 14 months and I have always worked my butt off in my restaurant. I’ve put all my energy and soul and heart into my work. It breaks my heart that during this pandemic my employers aren’t anywhere to be found to even see if we are okay. I am begging you to help."

Stephen Sears

Palm Harbor, FL
"I was laid off with not sick pay or relief fund of my only job of five years. I was supposed to move into a house and haven't been able to because of the COVID-19. I haven't received any help from Applebee's since they laid us off."

Todd Danylin

Satellite Beach, FL
"Out of work due to the coronavirus... my wife and I are both servers and have no income... I also have C.O.P.D."

Whitney Bonham

Enid, OK
"I have been without work since March 21st and filed for unemployment, come to find out Applebee's gave them all the wrong information on my wages so now I have to wait even longer to get any unemployment. Very frustrating and very disappointing especially when you've worked for them for 15 years."
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