Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in New York City and Westchester County today announced the start of its annual Above & “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest. Now in its next chapter, the contest will recognize six deserving teachers – one each from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Westchester County – with a $500 sponsorship check for classroom supplies and an end-of-year party for their current class.
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. /Mortgage and Finance News/ — Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in New York City and Westchester County today announced the start of its annual Above & “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest. Now in its next chapter, the contest will recognize six deserving teachers – one each from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Westchester County – with a $500 sponsorship check for classroom supplies and an end-of-year party for their current class.*
The annual contest begins Monday, January 12, 2026, and ends Sunday, March 15, 2026. All essays must be submitted in person to the Applebee’s General Manager or manager on duty at participating Doherty-owned Applebee’s locations no later than 10:00 p.m. ET on March 15, 2026. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 24, 2026, and end-of-year parties must be scheduled before Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
“Teachers shape our communities every day,” said Timothy Doherty, President and COO of Doherty Enterprises. “This annual contest gives students a meaningful way to say ‘thank you’ while providing teachers with a direct classroom sponsorship. We’re proud to celebrate the educators who work tirelessly to inspire the next generation.”
HOW TO ENTER
* Students must nominate a teacher who currently teaches in one of the eligible areas (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, or Westchester County).
* Middle and high school students: submit a 500-word essay explaining why their teacher deserves to be Applebee’s Teacher of the Year.
* Elementary students: submit a half-page essay on why their teacher deserves the honor.
* Essays must be turned in in person to the General Manager or manager on duty at the student’s local Doherty-owned Applebee’s. Limit one entry per student.
PRIZES
* One winning teacher from each of the six designated areas will receive a $500 classroom sponsorship check to be used for supplies and classroom needs for the upcoming school year.
* Winners will also receive an end-of-year class party at Applebee’s. If a class party cannot be accommodated, the prize will be replaced with two Dinner-for-Four certificates for the winning essay writer.
“This program is a simple but powerful way for our restaurants to support teachers and celebrate their impact,” said Doherty. “We look forward to reading the essays and meeting the outstanding educators nominated by their students.”
WHERE TO ENTER / PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS
Applebee’s Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest entries will be accepted at the following Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises in:
NEW YORK CITY:
* 42ND ST (Times Square)
* BROADWAY
* THROGS NECK PLAZA
* SHEEPSHEAD BAY
* GATEWAY CENTER
* ATLANTIC TERMINAL
* TRIANGLE (Brooklyn Junction)
* FRESH MEADOWS
* THE BLVD (aka New Dorp)
* BRONX TERMINAL MKT
* FORDHAM PLAZA
* ASTORIA (Long Island City)
* QUEENS CENTER
* EXPRESSWAY PLAZA
* RIVERDALE
* OUTER BRIDGE CROSSING
* STATEN ISLAND MALL
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY:
* HAWTHORNE
* NEW ROCHELLE
* EXECUTIVE BLVD (Yonkers)
* CORTLANDT (Mohegan Lake)
* CROSS COUNTY (Yonkers)
*One winner will be selected from each restaurant’s school district. Prizes are subject to change. If end-of-year parties are not viable, class parties will be replaced with two Dinner-for-Four certificates for the essay writer.
**Offer valid only at Doherty Enterprises owned and operated Applebee’s® locations in NYC and Westchester County, NY. Limit one per person. May not be redeemed on day of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offers.
ABOUT APPLEBEE’S®
As one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar serves as America’s kitchen table, offering guests a lively dining experience that combines simple, craveable American fare with classic drinks and local drafts. Applebee’s makes it easy for family and friends to connect with one another, whether it’s in a dining room or in the comfort of a living room, Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood(tm) is a familiar and affordable escape from the everyday. Applebee’s restaurants are owned and operated by entrepreneurs dedicated to more than serving great food, but also building up the communities that we call home. From raising money for local charities to hosting community fundraisers, Applebee’s is always Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood®.
Applebee’s and its franchise operations together consisted of 1,512 Applebee’s restaurants in the United States, two U.S. territories and 16 countries outside the United States as of September 28, 2025. This number does not include 59 company-owned Applebee’s restaurants. Applebee’s is franchised by subsidiaries of Dine Brands Global Inc. [NYSE: DIN], which is one of the world’s largest full-service restaurant companies.
ABOUT DOHERTY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Established in 1985, Doherty Enterprises owns and operates more than 160 restaurants in New Jersey, New York, including seven restaurant concepts: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Wendy’s, Jinya Ramen Bar, Chevys Fresh Mex and its own concepts, The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. In addition, Doherty Enterprises is also a franchisee of Sola Salon Studios with 15 locations in Staten Island and New Jersey. Doherty Enterprises is ranked 27th Largest Franchisee in the United States by Restaurant Finance Monitor, is recognized as the 80th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States by Nation’s Restaurant News, the 70th largest privately held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business, and 24th in NJ’s Top 250 privately held companies & 5th Largest Family-Owned Business Based on Employees in New Jersey by NJBIZ.
The Doherty vision is to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” and its mission is to “Wow Every Guest Every Time, Wow our People, Wow Our Communities and Wow Our Suppliers.” Doherty Enterprises has also been lending a helping hand to team members and their immediate families when financially burdened through the WOW a Friend Foundation. To date, the foundation has assisted more than 4,200 people and donated over $5.7 million directly back to those in need. https://www.dohertyinc.com/.
Learn More: https://www.dohertyinc.com/
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