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Applebee’s Launches New Ultimate Trio Appetizer Sampler Ahead of Second Season as the Official Grill + Bar Sponsor of the National Football League

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Applebee’s Launches New Ultimate Trio Appetizer Sampler Ahead of Second Season as the Official Grill + Bar Sponsor of the National Football League
News

News

Applebee’s Launches New Ultimate Trio Appetizer Sampler Ahead of Second Season as the Official Grill + Bar Sponsor of the National Football League

2025-08-18 19:59 Last Updated At:20:10

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 18, 2025--

Applebee’s, the official Grill + Bar sponsor of the NFL is kicking off football season with the launch of the NEW Ultimate Trio – a customizable appetizer sampler that lets guests build their own combination by selecting three appetizers and three dipping sauces, all for just $14.99. Available for dine-in, To Go, and delivery, this crave-worthy platter offers 10 fan-favorite appetizers and 10 bold sauces to choose from, offering an incredible 81,600 combinations to satisfy every craving*.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250818889308/en/

Appetizers for the Ultimate Trio include guests’ choice of Boneless Wings, Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Quesadilla, Crunchy Onion Rings, Chicken Wonton Tacos, Brew Pub Pretzels, Applebee’s Riblets, Double Crunch Shrimp, Waffle Fries and Classic Fries; while sauce choices include Classic Buffalo, Honey BBQ, Sweet Asian Chile, House-Made Ranch, Bleu Cheese, Honey Dijon Mustard, Marinara Sauce, Chipotle Lime Salsa, Cocktail Sauce, and BLUE MOON® White Cheddar Beer Cheese.

“With more than 80,000 flavor combinations, we’re putting the power of choice in our guests’ hands with our new Ultimate Trio,” said Reid Leslie, vice president of marketing, Applebee’s. “Whether you’re mixing and matching your favorite appetizers and sauces or trying something new, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this lineup while cheering on your team.”

But the NEW Ultimate Trio isn’t the only exciting trio debuting this football season. NFL Coach Dan Campbell returns for his second season as Applebee’s star-studded “head shift manager” in the brand’s newest ad campaign. This season, Coach Campbell welcomes a new class of rising stars to Team Applebee’s, including Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Plus, Applebee’s NFL drink specials are back and better than ever!** Now for a limited time, guests can enjoy two NEW $6 Mucho cocktails as part of Applebee’s NFL Sips, with the option to “take it to the next level” and “make it a ‘rita” by adding a $3 ultra-premium Don Julio Vibe Drop featuring Don Julio Reposado. Applebee’s NFL Sips lineup includes:

For fans of all ages, Applebee’s has a new lineup of Dirty Fountain Sodas. These tasty non-alcoholic sodas offer new flavor twists and fun fan engagement, allowing guests to “dirty” up the following sodas for $1 more:

“To kick off the NFL season, we’re launching a brand new beverage lineup that delivers something for everyone,” said Nate Grover, executive director, bar & beverage, Applebee’s. “From our limited-time $6 Mucho Cocktails to our new Vibe Drops featuring Don Julio Reposado and a bold new lineup of Dirty Fountain Sodas for guests of all ages, it’s all about variety, customization, and celebrating football season in style.”

The Ultimate Trio is available for dine-in, To Go, or delivery. To find your local restaurant to dine in, visit Applebees.com/restaurants. To order Applebee’s To Go or delivery, visit Applebees.com or the Applebee’s mobile app ( iOS, Google ).

For even more exclusive deals and specials, guests can sign up to be a part of the neighborhood. Join Applebee’s E-Club and receive a welcome offer!

* Limited time. Price, participation and selection may vary. Tax and gratuity excluded.

** Must be 21+. Void where prohibited. Tax & gratuity excluded. Dine-in only. Participation may vary. While supplies last.

BLUE MOON® is a registered trademark of Molson Coors Beverage Company LLC.

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 and its franchise operations together consisted of 1,514 Applebee’s restaurants in the United States, two U.S. territories and 15 countries outside the United States as of June 29, 2025. This number does not include 59 company-owned Applebee’s restaurants, one domestic Applebee’s ghost kitchen (small kitchens with no store-front presence, used to fill off-premise orders) and seven 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.

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Applebee’s Launches New Ultimate Trio Appetizer Sampler Ahead of Second Season as the Official Grill + Bar Sponsor of the National Football League

Applebee’s Launches New Ultimate Trio Appetizer Sampler Ahead of Second Season as the Official Grill + Bar Sponsor of the National Football League

MADRID (AP) — With three assists and a goal, Vinícius Júnior quieted the fans who had booed him again at the start of Real Madrid's 6-1 rout over Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Part of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium crowd jeered the Brazil forward nearly every time he touched the ball early on in the league-phase game in Madrid, but the boos dissipated as the match went on and were virtually gone by the time Vinícius scored his first Champions League goal of the season in the 63rd minute.

The early boos were not nearly as loud as they were Saturday in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Levante in the Spanish league. Both times fans jeered when Vinícius’ name was announced in the starting lineup, but this time the game ended with fans on Vinícius’ side as he was chosen the man of the match.

Vinícius has been having a lackluster season and some fans viewed him as one of the reasons why coach Xabi Alonso was replaced last week.

Vinícius had spats with Alonso, a former Madrid and Spain great as a player who was replaced as a coach following a tumultuous eight-month stint. Vinícius was reportedly the main player not backing Alonso in the locker room.

Vinícius scored his goal on Tuesday with a well-placed strike after getting past a couple of defenders and hitting the upper corner. He did not go toward the fans to celebrate, and instead hugged his teammates near midfield and then ran toward the sideline to salute and hug new Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa.

Vinícius has assists in goals by Kylian Mbappé in the 26th and Franco Mastantuono in the 51st. The Brazilian also assisted with a cross that led to an own-goal by Monaco defender Thilo Kehrer in the 55th.

“Vini, we are behind you,” read a banner held by a fan at the Bernabeu.

Mbappé scored in the fifth minute to put the hosts ahead. He hugged Vinícius after his second goal later in the first half — and again following the final whistle.

Mbappé and Arbeloa had come out defending Vinícius recently, with Mbappé saying the crowd shouldn't single out Vinícius as the one to blame for the team's struggles.

Many fans applauded a seventh-minute attempt by Vinícius, who just missed wide from inside the area. When he misplayed a ball in the 40th, some of the fans started to boo again but many more applauded in response.

There were no immediate jeers toward club president Florentino Pérez like it had happened against Levante.

Mbappé appeared to apologize to Monaco fans after scoring. He was a former Monaco player. Mbappé has 18 Champions League goals for Madrid, the most of any player in the first 20 appearances with the club, ahead of the 14 of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jude Bellingham, who was also jeered by some fans on Saturday, scored Madrid's sixth goal in the 80th.

Vinícius came close to scoring again on a breakaway in second-half stoppage time.

Madrid had entered the match against Levante coming off a two-game losing streak that included a loss to Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia — which prompted Alonso's departure — and an embarrassing elimination against Albacete in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

There was a moment of silence before the match in honor of the victims of the train crash that killed more than 40 people in southern Spain on Sunday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scores his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scores his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates with head coach Álvaro Arbeloa his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates with head coach Álvaro Arbeloa his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Vinicius Junior the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Vinicius Junior the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Levante in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

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