A GLOBAL ROLLOUT WITH A LOCAL SOUL

When you step into an Applebee’s restaurant these days, you’re not just walking in for a great meal. You’re stepping into a space that reflects the character of its community, with visual storytelling that pulls inspiration from the neighborhood outside the front door. That shift has been shaped through a strong partnership between Applebee’s and The Design Producer, a team known for turning everyday environments into immersive, brand-right experiences.

The Design Producer has helped guide the redesign of more than 400 Applebee’s restaurants worldwide, helping each location feel less like a copy-and-paste prototype and more like a place with real local identity. Whether the restaurant sits in New York City, Guam, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Indonesia, the décor is designed to nod to the culture and energy of the area it serves.

Picture a giant mosaic storefront welcoming guests in New York City, paired with living walls that bring texture and warmth into the space. In Guam, travelers and locals are surrounded by custom artwork and wall coverings that echo island life and its vibrant visual language. Across markets, the same approach is applied: local cues are studied, then translated into environmental graphics, finishes, and feature moments that feel authentic to the location.

However, the impact goes beyond aesthetics. The guest experience is strengthened when the environment is cohesive from entry to dining room to the details that support operations. The Design Producer works closely with production partners to ensure every graphic, mural, surface, and install detail is carried through with consistency and care. Each element is treated as part of a larger story, so the space feels intentional rather than decorated.

That process starts with research and inspiration drawn from the surroundings. Then concepts are developed into production-ready artwork, print files, and true-to-life renderings that help teams visualize the result before anything is built. As a result, the rollout stays aligned, and each restaurant can be transformed with clarity and confidence.

Ultimately, this work is about more than design updates. It’s about celebrating local culture, reinforcing brand experience, and making each Applebee’s feel connected to the community it serves. Next time you visit, take a look around. The artwork, the textures, and the place-based details were designed to make the meal feel like it belongs exactly where you are.