October 3, 2002
9:58 AM   Subscribe

A restaurant's advertisement runs during a special on gay weddings, which causes a christian conservative group to mention said restaurant in a story on their web site, which might alienate some of the restaurant's patrons. So the restaurant tells the AP that the advertisement was not meant for that programming, and that the restaurant only supports "non-controversial" programming, which brings the ire of an even bigger minority group. Applebee's just can't seem to win when it comes to courting the non-mainstream market.
posted by benjh (24 comments total)
 
But when it comes to riblets, Applebee's is peerless.
posted by padraigin at 10:04 AM on October 3, 2002


Advertisers on the show's premiere included Hyundai, Hertz, Subaru, Applebee's and Maalox.

Heh, so we should boycot Maalox? Doubtful. But Family.org's always been wacky. Want a good chuckle? Go to their "Plugged In" section where they do reviews of movies, tv shows, and albums for concerned parents. Quite humorous how much they nit-pick at stuff.

And on topic, seems like Applebee's is in the middle of a PR shitstorm, and it keeps getting deeper and deeper. Once you piss off the religous right and the gay (and gay-friendly) scenes, there's not a whole lot of market left.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:11 AM on October 3, 2002


Heh, so we should boycot Maalox?

You'd better not, if you eat at Applebee's
posted by jalexei at 10:15 AM on October 3, 2002


Would someone PLEASE tell the religious right to mind their own fucking business? Thanks.
posted by callmejay at 10:16 AM on October 3, 2002


If the so-called religious right shuts up, will everyone else follow suit? Ah, what a wonderful world it would be.
posted by chazw at 10:23 AM on October 3, 2002


Applebees tried to be non-commital. "Uh, well, we didn't pay for our ad to be run in that spot." But really missed an opportunity. (what are Applebee's policies for stuff like health insurance for 'same sex partners'?) It wasn't like they were singled out for a mass boycott or anything.

As for the whole marriage thing, and equating it to the relationship between God and priests.. since they always refer to God as 'Him,' and priests can only be male.. what does that mean?
posted by rich at 10:31 AM on October 3, 2002


Well, when choosing a restaraunt, stances on family issues is my top concern. Those hateful bastards.
posted by ac at 10:43 AM on October 3, 2002


I've always avoided Applebees because they do absolutely nothing to cater to the vegetarian crowd. Their syncophatic kowtowing to the religious wrong gives me even more reason to abhore them.
posted by tr33hggr at 10:44 AM on October 3, 2002


I already boycott them because of their lousy food.
posted by rushmc at 10:49 AM on October 3, 2002


"This is an attempt to indoctrinate Americans into the idea that marriage is no longer the marriage of the two sexes"

I, for one, welcome our new married homosexual overlords.

"The homosexual activists have understood that emotion and human stories always trump reason,"

Stories of the death of irony are greatly exaggerated.
posted by apostasy at 11:00 AM on October 3, 2002


When Ashcroft finally sets up the concentration camps, I say we herd the religious right in first. If they don't herd US in first.
posted by kgasmart at 11:08 AM on October 3, 2002


Does anyone actually eat at Applebee's? Their food is ass.
posted by Dirjy at 11:31 AM on October 3, 2002


All of this comes right in the middle of their fake email gift certificate scandle too.
posted by blue_beetle at 11:39 AM on October 3, 2002


Applebee's is godawful.

I always dine at T.J. O'Pootertoot's instead.
posted by BobFrapples at 12:14 PM on October 3, 2002


Why is it that all restaurants are Applebee's these days? TGI Fridays, Ruby Tuesday, etc., etc. They're all the same restaurant, with the same meals, the same servers, the same decorations.
posted by oissubke at 12:33 PM on October 3, 2002


I think the devouring public would dearly love to hear a company - any company - react to a challenge of this nature with a hearty "fuck you if you don't like it" and a continued going about their normal business.

Instead, the smallest gang of peckers - on either side - pipes up with their fartass complaints and everyone bends over backwards to accomodate them. Pfui. Don't like gay weddings (or whatever)? Eat at Chuck E Cheese.

Just once I'd like to see someone under fire like this grow but a single ball.
posted by UncleFes at 12:44 PM on October 3, 2002


Menu items at Applebees are more contrived than any I have every seen before.

The boneless buffalo chicken summer salad was satisfying though.
posted by shamelesselitist at 1:07 PM on October 3, 2002


Why is it that all restaurants are Applebee's these days? TGI Fridays, Ruby Tuesday, etc., etc. They're all the same restaurant, with the same meals, the same servers, the same decorations

I suspect it is for those who are "too cool" to eat at Cocos' or Denny's but still want a relatively low-priced, American-style menu. The food is ass because it is bland, assembly-line food meant to appeal to the broadest array of folks and offend no one.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:35 PM on October 3, 2002


Are there still Denny's? All the ones around the midwest closed down, I think. Though we've got Bob Evans here, which has an "American-style menu" but is cheaper. I never thought Applebee's prices were that good for the food they give you, which of course, tastes horrible.

The food is ass... Who knew so many MeFiers would know that Applebee's is a lot like ass... rim much?
posted by benjh at 7:28 PM on October 3, 2002


Are there still Denny's?

In Vegas over the past few months, a whole slew of new Denny's have been opening up--in strip malls, not as free-standing buildings as I've always seen them before. Very bizarre.
posted by rushmc at 10:03 PM on October 3, 2002


Are there still Denny's?

As of year end 2001, there were 1,749 Denny's in every state, two territories, and four foreign countries (though they don't seem too sure, this page says 49 states and five foreign countries. 44% of the restaurants are in Florida, California, and Texas.

Find the one nearest you.
posted by obfusciatrist at 10:59 PM on October 3, 2002


I already boycott them because of their lousy food.
posted by rushmc


Here, here! I mean, I generally avoid chain places period...but Applebee's is a spectacular example of badness. Bleh!
posted by dejah420 at 11:21 PM on October 3, 2002


oissubke: See also this article on the all-the-same-restaurant phenomenon.
posted by abischof at 10:17 AM on October 4, 2002


Something's been bothering me since i heard about this story, and I finally found out what it was: (sixth item down)

In the Gay City News (a gay weekly newspaper here in NYC), Applebee's ran a full-page ad (page 2!) the week of the Gay Weddings shows on Bravo...it's not online, but the headline reads, "OUR KITCHEN IS WORKING FOR YOU" (italics theirs)....?!?
posted by amberglow at 8:44 AM on October 12, 2002


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