Applebee's Customer Service Issues

We had reservations for 15 guests for a graduation dinner, but more family members joined us, making it 22 people. We politely asked if we could have an additional table to accommodate everyone and be seated together. However, despite available tables, the hostess and waitresses mentioned limitations on party size and sections. One waitress even became agitated, using inappropriate language and exhibiting unprofessional behavior. Despite seeking the manager's help and pointing out the situation, the issue was not resolved adequately. This incident occurred at the Jefferson Avenue Applebee’s on 6/8/19. The involved waitress's behavior was unacceptable, and the lack of managerial intervention was disappointing. The experience was not just upsetting for us but likely affected other diners too. It's essential for restaurant staff to handle such situations professionally.

I waited for at least 10 minutes for the hostess to appear at her station. There were three groups waiting at the empty station with about 10 people crowded in a small area. We were then seated at a dirty table, which took another 10 minutes to be cleaned. It took an additional 5 minutes before our server approached us. There was minimal interaction with us once our food was served. Our server, who was African American, seemed to spend more time with her other two tables, both of which were African American as well. One of those tables even left before us, and she hugged each of them goodbye. The manager did not offer a response when my husband spoke to him about the issue. We have decided we will never dine at that Applebee's location again, even though it's conveniently located down the street.

Dear Customer Service, I am reaching out to share my recent disappointing experience at Applebee’s. My family and I visited the restaurant to celebrate Father’s Day. Despite arriving at 4:15 p.m., we were informed of a 45-minute wait due to the crowded waiting area and multiple parties ahead of us. I highlighted the empty tables and lack of a manager's presence, but only received explanations about a shift change causing delays. Not until 5:15 p.m. did a manager appear, who mentioned waiting for a specific table to open up for our group size of 6. Once seated, the service remained subpar as our drinks and meals took excessively long, arriving all at once, leaving my soup cold and my dad's fajitas not sizzling hot as expected. This experience, full of disregard and poor service, contrasts starkly with my previous visits. I hope to address these service issues and see improvements. Acknowledging inconveniences would be a good starting point for better customer care.

During my visit to the Applebee's at Fayetteville, NC on Goodmiddleing Drive and Raeford Road, I observed that despite multiple open tables, the manager, Shawn, stated they seat people based on wait times rather than table availability. I expressed my concern that my group of at least 15 people was not being seated while others were, and suggested waiting a little longer for a table with a drink from the bar would be preferable to standing by the door. When I requested Shawn's name to report this to corporate, he claimed to be corporate and dismissed my complaint. This management and behavior are unsatisfactory. Thank you.

I visited the Hialeah, Florida Applebee's on Saturday, June 29th around 8 p.m. We placed our order, but after waiting for 40 minutes, I had to ask for the manager because others who arrived after us received their meals first. Despite addressing the issue, our food arrived cold, we didn't get our appetizers, soups, or my child's meal. The overall experience was frustrating as I couldn't bear to pay for and eat subpar food. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this happened at this Applebee's location. I had hoped for better service and quality, but it's consistently disappointing. I will leave a negative Google review to caution others against returning to this location. The decline in both service and food quality is so significant that I'd prefer a burger from McDonald's over their offerings. Given my mother's diabetic condition, I now have to quickly find another dining option. After over 20 years of being a loyal customer, I am deeply disappointed with this experience.

I went out for dinner on a Saturday night and we were seated promptly as they weren't busy at the time. Upon returning to our table, we found a wasp flying around, despite efforts from the waitstaff to catch it, it disappeared. With two children with us, we reluctantly stayed seated. We ordered steaks and loaded baked potatoes, but unfortunately, the meal was full of issues. Two of the steaks had hair in them, one steak was overcooked, and the other was tough and fatty. Additionally, they had run out of baked potatoes, so we had to choose different sides. The bacon mac and cheese lacked cheese and was more like pasta noodles. The manager removed some items from our bill but left us dissatisfied. We ended up paying $60 for drinks and a partially eaten baked potato. I won't be returning after this frustrating experience.

At Applebee's in Sequim, WA, on July 11th, my experience with JJ the Hostess was noteworthy. Upon my arrival at 7:56 PM, I waited 13 minutes for service in the Bar area among 31 patrons. JJ approached me, took my drink order, and promptly involved the Manager. Subsequently, the Bartender started attending to patrons only after the Manager stepped in. Despite Shelly, the assigned server, overlooking me, JJ's proactive service stood out. I acknowledge JJ's dedication to customer care and hope she is acknowledged for her excellent service that reflects her commitment to customer satisfaction. As a retired Senior Manager prioritizing customer service, I believe recognizing individuals like JJ is crucial for their growth into leadership roles. Thank you, Michael Ridgway.

Last night around 9:30 p.m. Eastern time, my wife and I had a negative experience at an Applebee's in Newport News, Virginia. We ordered our drinks and bone-in wings. While chatting, I felt something on my leg under the table. Startled, I noticed a large bug resembling a cockroach, causing a scene. The waitress quickly handled the situation, but seeing the bug ruined our appetite. Despite the incident, no manager approached us to address the issue, and we left without finishing our meal. The lack of professionalism was disappointing. I settled the bill with the waitress and we departed. My name is Haywood, and you can contact me at [redacted].

Last night, my family visited Applebee's on Newport News Jefferson Avenue around 7:30 PM. Despite the restaurant being full, we were seated promptly within 3 minutes. The staff, particularly our waitress Makiyah, was exceptional. Makiyah was attentive and polite, taking our orders efficiently. However, when my wife's steak was overcooked, I raised the issue with Makiyah. Instead of just apologizing, the General Manager personally intervened, apologized, and comped our meal. His hands-on approach and dedication to customer service were truly outstanding. This positive experience has made me reconsider my previous decision to avoid this location for 11 years due to past bad experiences. We will definitely be returning in the future.

Hi there, I just wanted to share my recent experience at the local Applebee's. Our server was polite and apologetic, which we appreciated. However, our visit was marred by a few issues. The first problem arose when a salad was brought out with grit underneath it, and upon lifting it, we found dried food scattered beneath. The server acknowledged this and removed the salad. Then, I noticed what seemed like water dripping near me, and it turned out there was a leak from the ceiling. I stopped eating at that point, not wanting to alarm my visually impaired husband. The windows had condensation, and the carpets and ceiling were in poor condition. I observed two groups leave due to lack of service. The overall atmosphere felt disorganized and chaotic. Lastly, one staff member had noticeable body odor, despite being friendly. We settled our bill, left a 15% tip, and decided not to return unless significant improvements are made. I even took some photos to document the issues.

I used to work at Applebee's but had to quit due to another employee spreading false rumors about me being on drugs, which is completely untrue. This co-worker not only told other employees but also went as far as telling customers, causing a lot of unnecessary drama. Despite reporting this to a manager and nothing being done, the situation escalated, and I felt I had to leave before my two-week notice was up. Now, several other employees are considering leaving because of the ongoing drama instigated by this same individual. She has a history of causing trouble, affecting people's work and livelihood. It's a difficult situation for me and my former colleagues to deal with.

I arrived at Applebee's at 3:20, but despite having three bartenders, no one took my order until 3:45. The restaurant was not busy at the time. I addressed this issue with the manager on duty, who was very kind and understanding. I am a frequent customer at this location, but sometimes feel overlooked when compared to other customers. It's not the first time I've encountered this situation. I chose to stay for my meal and drinks despite the lack of immediate service. There have been occasions where staff seemed upset if I didn't tip what they expected. I feel that tipping is at my discretion as it's my hard-earned money. I don't appreciate feeling pressured to tip a certain amount. I'm grateful for the swift response from the new shift manager who approached me promptly to address my concerns.

Is there a possibility to include a plain fettuccine alfredo on the menu? I typically order through Postmates and customize the classic broccoli chicken alfredo by requesting no broccoli or chicken. However, as the restaurant doesn't allow special instructions, I'm unable to make these changes now. It would be beneficial to have the choice to include special instructions for delivery orders or simply introduce a plain fettuccine alfredo dish to the menu instead.

I arrived at 7:45 pm for my $40 food order which was supposed to be ready. Despite calling the store twice, I was hung up on once and it's now 8:20 pm. I've seen other customers receiving their orders, but mine hasn't come out yet. Having worked at this location for 4 years, I know we were much faster back then, especially with curbside pickups. I'm not confident the food will be good now. I believe I deserve a refund for this experience. It seems ordering from this location after dark is not advisable, as others have warned. I have taken pictures and screenshots to document the timings of everything.

I am Devani. I was part of the group at Applebee's on September 29, [redacted]. Upon arrival at 11:21pm, we were seated and placed our order. Our food arrived cold at 12:12am, without complaints due to the limited servers available. Upon splitting the bill, we noticed confusion as Server A took our money, but Server B had it in her apron. The change we received was incorrect, leading to chaos when we saw the tip amount on the receipt, as we had not left a tip.

Yesterday, on October 7th, we celebrated my daughter-in-law's birthday at Applebees in Fremont, Ohio. I informed both the host and our waitress about the occasion. Despite ordering an appetizer, it took quite some time for it to arrive. The waitress admitted it was given to another table and had to be reordered. Unfortunately, my daughter-in-law was left without any food to enjoy with her drink. The appetizer eventually came when our main meals did. After finishing, I inquired about the complimentary birthday dessert, only to be told it would take too long as they were busy. We ended up paying and leaving without the special treat, making the birthday celebration disappointing for her. Given the recent stress of losing their home to a fire, I had hoped for a better experience. The slow service was very disappointing overall.

During a recent visit with my best friend to the Applebee's in LaVale, Maryland, we experienced an unfortunate dining ordeal. Despite previous issues at this location, the latest incident on October 6, [redacted], surpassed the prior inconveniences. Our grilled chicken breast, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, and special sides were all served cold. After bringing this to the attention of a passing waiter, we received apologies from a manager who promised to rectify the situation promptly. However, when the reheated food arrived, it was evident that our original plates had not been replaced; the food showed signs of previous consumption and poor quality. Disturbed by the manager's actions and the compromised hygiene, I expressed my concerns about health violations, considering my health conditions that weaken my immune system. Seeking to address this serious issue with Applebee's, I attempted to contact their customer service, but encountered difficulties in locating pertinent information.

Hello, I am reaching out to share a recent unpleasant experience I had at Applebee's. Upon arrival, our waitress displayed a rude tone during our interaction. I requested a water refill multiple times, facing delays each instance. The service felt rushed as she promptly presented the check without checking on our satisfaction or if we needed anything else. Despite my efforts to order water again, it was not fulfilled timely. Even after requesting a dessert, the water was neglected once more. The overall service was below standard, and I did not receive the expected discount for arriving after 9PM. Disheartened by the lack of customer care, I decided to settle the bill and leave. I have frequented this Applebee's location for over a decade but rarely encountered a satisfactory visit. I hope sharing this feedback will lead to improvements in customer service. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

My 21-year-old daughter is employed at the Seekonk, Massachusetts Applebee's. She is a single mother facing difficulties and currently resides with us. Initially, she worked at Chili's, which had shortcomings in management. Upon joining Applebee's, she made it clear that she couldn't work nights, as I am the sole reliable babysitter for her daughter. Despite this, she is now being pressured to work nights by manager Ashley, who ironically is also a mother and pregnant. This is causing her distress, with threats and yelling. The conflicting responses from managers are confusing, as one appreciated her dedication and the other insists on night shifts. This situation is forcing me, her unwell mother, to risk my health, and it's disheartening to see her return home upset from work. She fears losing her income even though she truthfully communicated her availability from the start.

My extensive family, including 2 brothers, 3 sisters, father, aunts, uncles, and over 50 cousins, used to enjoy the former Applebee's in West Lafayette, Indiana. However, since June/July [redacted], we have noticed a significant decline in the quality of food and service. On 10/25/19, I visited with 4 family members, and once again, we were disappointed. Previously, I had a favorite waitress named Shelby, who no longer works there. Her absence was noticeable as she added to the positive experience. I ordered my favorite meal - Grilled Salmon with steamed broccoli, rice, quinoa, and cranberries. Unfortunately, the broccoli was overly salted, making it inedible. Despite giving it another chance, our recent visit on October 25th highlighted more issues with the food and service. Our granddaughter's macaroni and cheese was dry, the fries were different, and my Grilled Salmon was salty and served with minimal vegetables. The portion seemed smaller, and we were overcharged for the meal. I urge Applebee's to bring back healthier options to cater to customers concerned about sodium intake for the sake of our hearts. It is essential for the franchise to consider improving these aspects to retain loyal customers.