The event will benefit the Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County and its special scholarship program that assists youth in the community.

At the event, area firefighters and police officers will team up and compete, “relay style,” to see which team can finish their racks of ribs in the allotted time.

In addition to hosting the event, Doherty’s Linden Applebee’s® will donate all racks of their delicious Double-Glazed BBQ ribs for the contest, which will consist of five, four-member teams. The teams will battle it out to see which team can consume their ribs first (Note: it is not an All You Can Eat competition).

“Everyone’s a winner when it comes to enjoying Applebee’s tasty Double-Glazed Baby Back Ribs,” said Kurt Pahlitzsch, VP of Operations at Doherty Enterprises, owners of the Linden, NJ Applebee’s®.  “We’re happy to support this fun community fundraiser and invite everyone in the neighborhood to join us and watch as teams of our local heroes get to go hog wild!”

Competing teams will pay an entry fee, seek sponsors, and take donations. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship program of the Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County (HLEAUC).

The Scholarship Committee for the HLEAUC is committed to developing Union County young people who have an interest in law enforcement. The scholarship educates and fosters interest in law enforcement through mentoring programs in addition to developing a sense of civic pride through community-based service.

“We welcome the community to join us for this friendly competition and to support this terrific organization,” continued Pahlitzsch.  “We know local area law enforcement officers and firehouses will put together their best rib-eating teams!” said Pahlitzsch.

The Rib Eating Relay Contest is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 27 from 6 – 9 p.m. ET at the Linden Applebee’s® located at 671 W. Edgar Road in Linden, NJ.

To enter a team into the relay, contact the Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County :

• Phone: 908-219-9109
• Email: HLEAUC@gmail.com

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™ 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® franchise operations consisted of 1,670 Applebee’s® restaurants in the United States, two U.S. territories and 11 countries outside the United States as of September 30, 2022. This number does not include three domestic Applebee’s® ghost kitchens (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders) and 13 Applebee’s® international ghost kitchens. 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 130 restaurants in New Jersey, New York, Florida and Georgia, including five restaurant concepts: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, 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 8 locations in Staten Island and New Jersey. Doherty Enterprises is ranked 11th in Top 200 Franchisees in the United States by Restaurant Finance Monitor, is recognized as the 77th largest Foodservice revenue company in the United States by Nation’s Restaurant News, the 73rd largest privately held business in the New York Metro area by Crain’s Business, and 34th largest privately held company 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 3,100 people and donated over $4.1 million directly back to those in need. (www.DohertyInc.com).