• August 24, 2012

Applebee's is rolling out a late-night entertainment concept, dubbed "bee's Late Night," to its restaurants throughout the U.S., reports Bloomberg Businessweek.

The chain, which has traditionally closed at 10 p.m., has been testing the concept since 2009, when some franchise owners approached Applebee's parent DineEquity with the idea of hosting club-scene entertainment until as late as 2 a.m., to attract the younger crowd.

The expanding late hours activities among franchisees, which range from karaoke to themed dance parties -- along with a revamped menu -- have helped Applebee's see same-store sales gains for two consecutive years.