Applebee's group hires vet of franchisor for unit buys

Nation's Restaurant News,  Sept 3, 2007  

Tags: Applebee's

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HARRISON, N.Y. -- Apple-Metro Inc., a 28-unit Applebee's franchisee based here, has hired away from Applebee's International its former senior vice president for company operations to aid Apple-Metro in acquiring restaurants from the franchisor.

Zane Tankel, chairman of $130-million-a-year Apple-Metro, said it had hired Miguel Fernandez as executive vice president and chief operating officer to help it "get in position for the possible acquisition of some company restaurants."

All 508 corporate Applebee's outlets would be sold under the strategic plan that Glendale, Calif.-based IHOP Corp. has said it would pursue after its pending acquisition of Applebee's for $2.1 billion. IHOP said it expects to sell 40 Applebee's restaurants per quarter to franchisees, beginning in 2008.

Fernandez joined Applebee's in 1995 as area director in California before becoming director of operations in 1996 for Pacific Gold Inc., an Applebee's franchisee. He rejoined the franchisor in 1998 as regional VP of company operations and was named senior VP in 2005. Overland Park, Kan.-based Applebee's currently identified Fernandez on its website as vice president and managing director for Canada and South America.

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