Applebee's Introduces Spring Menu

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar (Nasdaq: APPB) continues to bring innovative, great-tasting dishes to its guests by introducing 10 new and improved items -- including a new Weight Watchers dish -- to its menu.

Also this week, the company introduced two new steak items as part of its latest Sirloin Steak Toppers promotion.

The new items added to the spring lineup (menu items will vary by market):

-- Thai Chicken Pizza: A crisp, flour tortilla crust topped with a sweet and spicy Thai peanut sauce, shredded pepper-jack cheese, chipotle chicken, red onion, shredded cabbage, carrots and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro.

-- Bourbon Street Chicken Salad (full and half): Grilled blackened Cajun chicken on a bed of fresh greens mixed with sauteed mushrooms & onions and tossed in a spicy ranch dressing. Topped with country potatoes and served with garlic toast.

-- Grilled Oriental Chicken Salad (full and half): A variation of our signature Oriental Chicken Salad, this new dish consists of crisp Asian greens topped with grilled chicken, toasted almonds and crispy noodles. Tossed with our Oriental vinaigrette.

-- Grilled Teriyaki Bowl (steak, chicken, shrimp): Succulent grilled steak, chicken or shrimp top a bowl full of snappy Asian-stir fry. Fresh mushrooms, broccoli, red peppers, sugar snap peas and shredded carrots accompany a bed of almond rice pilaf drizzled with a spicy-sweet orange soy sauce. Topped with crispy rice noodles and toasted almonds.

-- Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl: Breaded boneless chicken breast delicately spiced and covered in a spicy-sweet orange glaze. Served in a big bowl over a flavorful array of stir-fry vegetables and almond rice pilaf.

-- Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Alfredo Bowl: Strips of grilled Italian or blackened chicken on a warm bed of fettuccine tossed with fresh broccoli and a creamy Alfredo sauce. Topped with diced tomatoes and shredded Parmesan and served with garlic toast.

-- Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Bowl: Plump and juicy shrimp tossed with fresh broccoli and a creamy garlic Alfredo sauce. Topped with diced tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese and served with garlic toast.

-- Jalapeno Jack Chicken Sandwich: Cajun-spiced, crispy breaded chicken topped with melted pepper-jack cheese, pico de gallo and sliced jalapenos. Served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato and Mexi-ranch sauce.

-- Black and Bleu Burger: An 8-ounce burger grilled with Cajun seasoning and topped with delicious bleu cheese topping and crispy bacon. Served with lettuce, red onions and tomato on a toasted bun.

-- Teriyaki Steak & Shrimp Skewers (Weight Watchers item). A skewer of tender steak paired with a skewer of marinated shrimp, both grilled and brushed with teriyaki sauce. Served with rice pilaf, fresh steamed vegetables and a side of teriyaki sauce.

The Sirloin Steak Toppers will feature four steaks, including the new Shrimp 'N Parmesan Sirloin and the new Grilled Portobello Sirloin. The promotion runs through June 19.

Applebee's International, Inc., headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., develops, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar brand, the largest casual dining concept in the world. There currently are more than 1,700 Applebee's restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states and 12 international countries. Additional information on Applebee's International can be found at the company's website (www.applebees.com).

For photos of food items or for a copy of Applebee's latest BBQ Fever commercial, contact:

Vikki Watson, Applebee's International, Inc., [e-mail]; [phone].