Doherty Enterprises Inc. is being recognized for supporting the employees who work at its Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations in Florida following the destruction of Hurricane Ian.

The Allendale-based restaurant group was among several franchisees recently honored by Applebee’s for demonstrating a commitment to guest service, community involvement, operational excellence and brand success. During the casual dining brand’s annual conference in Las Vegas earlier this month, the team at Doherty picked up the Bill Palmer Heart of Applebee’s Award — an accolade named after the restaurant’s founder and given to a franchisee who has gone above and beyond to help an individual cause or organization.

In the wake of the widespread damage and destruction caused by the deadly Category 4 storm in September 2022, Southwest Florida was left reeling, with many residents displaced and businesses forced to close their doors.

Doherty – whose 140-restaurant portfolio includes about 20 Applebee’s establishments in Florida, several of which are located in the areas that took a direct hit from Ian – tapped into its nonprofit foundation to support nearly 100 managers, team members, and families who needed financial assistance with their homes and vehicles, according to Applebee’s.

Additionally, Doherty paid all employee hours scheduled for all days closed after Ian, amounting to more than $135,000 for 426 workers and covering 6,750 hours.

In a statement, Applebee’s President Tony Moralejo said, “Our greatest asset as a brand will always be our people. Each year at our annual conference, our franchise partners look forward to coming together to discuss brand strategy, fundraise for the Bill Palmer Legacy Scholarship Fund, and celebrate each other’s wins. I’m immensely proud to be a part of this iconic brand and to share in our collective commitment to servin’ up the good in every neighborhood.”