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Applebee's

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

Back to profile3 entries

  1. 2026

    Applebee’s customer database exposure disclosed

    Issue disclosure

    TechCrunch reported that a hardcoded credential in Applebee’s Android app allowed access to customer personal information in an internal database. Applebee’s said it had addressed the security issue. Dine Brands said its investigation had not found evidence of unauthorized access and that the investigation was ongoing.

    Company response

    • Remediation — Applebee’s

      Applebee’s has fixed a security flaw that allowed anyone to access the personal information of its registered customers

    • Investigation — Dine Brands

      Our investigation is ongoing, and we will take appropriate steps based on our findings

    Source excerpt

    • Our investigation is ongoing, and we will take appropriate steps based on our findings
    • Applebee’s has fixed a security flaw that allowed anyone to access the personal information of its registered customers, after a researcher found a password for an internal database inside Applebee’s mobile app
    • The exposed database contained customer names, email addresses (including whether or not the customer verified their email), dates of birth, phone numbers, and ZIP codes.
    Source

  2. 2022

    Applebee’s faces backlash over proposed lower wages

    Public backlash

    An email from an executive at an Applebee’s franchise operator proposed that the restaurant could offer lower pay to prospective employees. The proposal drew public backlash, including a trending #BoycottApplebees hashtag; the report says the executive was reportedly placed on leave.

    Company response

    • Personnel action — American Franchise Capital

      Pankratz has reportedly been placed on leave.

    Source excerpt

    • The email was widely panned once it started making the rounds with Pankratz and Applebee’s receiving the brunt of the vitriol. A #BoycottApplebees hashtag started trending and Pankratz has reportedly been placed on leave.
    • In turn, Pankratz believes Applebee’s could capitalize on this situation by offering less money to an anticipated influx of applicants, who are desperate to boost their earnings in the face of trying times and limited options due to competitors crumbling under the weight of increasing demands to compete with its rivals.
    Source

  3. 2013

    Receipt and waitress dismissal controversy

    Applebee's received substantial online criticism after dismissing a waitress who posted a customer's receipt containing a rude note objecting to a required gratuity. The company's response was also criticized, extending the controversy beyond the original employment decision.

    Source