Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar announced two appointments to the C-suite. Michelle Chin will join the brand as as Chief Marketing Officeron Sept. 2 and Jerrold (Jay) Wong starts his role as as Chief Operations Officer on Sept. 15.
The brand recently reported an increase in traffic and sales in Q2, and these appointments further support Applebee’s key priorities of strengthening its in-house marketing capabilities, expanding menu innovation, and enhancing the overall guest experience.
“Applebee’s is an iconic brand, beloved by our guests, with one of the largest footprints of any restaurant brand,” said John Peyton, President of Applebee’s and CEO of Dine Brands. “This year, our team and franchisees have worked diligently against our key areas of focus to continually enhance the guest experience and attract the next generation of loyal Applebee’s fans – reimaging our restaurants, enhancing our menu and value offerings, and connecting with our guests in deeper, more impactful ways. With these appointments, we’re looking to accelerate that strategy, creating efficiencies and returning to growth.”
As Chief Marketing Officer, Chin will lead Applebee’s full marketing strategy, including national advertising, digital and social media, menu innovation, and integrated campaigns. Her work will be grounded in data and insights, with a focus on elevating the brand, strengthening emotional connections with guests, and driving traffic through bold, captivating storytelling.
Chin brings more than 20 years of experience leading marketing and brand strategy for global consumer brands including Starbucks, Godiva, and Unilever, where she built high-performing teams and delivered impactful, insight-driven campaigns.
As Chief Operations Officer, Wong will focus on driving consistency, accelerating growth, and working closely with his team and franchisees to elevate restaurant performance and deliver a seamless guest experience across the system.
Wong brings extensive leadership experience from across the hospitality industry, having scaled global teams and led transformations at world-class brands including Four Seasons, Starwood/Marriott Hotels, and Exclusive Resorts.
