What Are “Apple Bees”? Viral TikTok Trend Turns Orchards into Buzzing Hives

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar is back in the spotlight this week thanks to a one-two punch of menu innovation and an industry-first restaurant concept that has diners—and investors—talking. Applebee’s Adds Bold Flavors to the Fan-Favorite 2 for $25 Deal Value hunters have long relied on the 2 for $25 bundle, and Applebee’s is doubling down by adding Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine and the BIG Bangin’ Burger to the mix. Both entrées are sauced to order and plated with the chain’s signature garlic bread, giving guests premium ingredients without premium prices. The update drops just as cooler weather pushes consumers toward comfort food, positioning Applebee’s to capture fall traffic with high-value, high-margin items. First-Ever Dual-Brand Applebee’s | IHOP Restaurant Debuts in Texas Parent company Dine Brands Global has opened its inaugural co-branded Applebee’s | IHOP unit in San Antonio, merging two powerhouse menus under one roof. Guests can order Bourbon Street Chicken and Pancakes in a single ticket, while franchisees benefit from cross-daypart traffic and streamlined back-of-house operations. Early buzz suggests breakfast-for-dinner fans are flocking to the location, and analysts say the format could roll out to 40-plus stores over the next 18 months if sales targets are met. TikTok Fuels #BigBanginBurger and “Split the A” Challenges Social media continues to be Applebee’s secret sauce. The new BIG Bangin’ Burger has already sparked a #BigBanginBurger hashtag, racking up millions of views as creators rate the “lava-cheese” center. Meanwhile, the “Split the A” game—where friends trace the Applebee’s logo and loser foots the bill—remains viral, driving Gen Z foot traffic during late-night half-price apps. User-generated content is translating directly into dine-in checks, keeping Applebee’s visible in an increasingly fragmented casual-dining landscape. What the Surge Means for the Casual-Dining Category With commodity costs stabilizing, Applebee’s is leveraging its scale to lock in aggressive value offers while rivals pull back. The brand’s latest moves address three key growth levers: menu excitement, daypart expansion, and digital buzz. If guest counts continue to climb, expect competitors to fast-track their own value refreshes ahead of the holiday season. Bottom Line From sizzling skillets to short-stack mashups, Applebee’s is capturing national attention at a critical moment for casual dining. By pairing crave-worthy menu drops with a trailblazing dual-brand prototype, the chain is positioning itself as the neighborhood grill of choice for budget-minded families, late-night snackers, and social-media foodies alike.