Doherty Enterprises a major franchisee of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar in New Jersey and Long Island, N.Y., has announced the launch of its 27th annual Toys for Tots campaign. The initiative, which begins Nov. 3, and runs through Jan. 4, 2026, aims to raise $250,000 this year to bring holiday cheer to local children in need.
Since partnering with the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program in 1998, Doherty Enterprises has already raised over $5.6 million for the cause.
Guests across all participating Doherty-owned Applebee’s locations in New Jersey and Long Island can contribute to the campaign through several options:
- Purchasing “paper gift packs.”
- Rounding up checks to the nearest dollar.
- Sipping on seasonal beverages like the Mucho Jack & Jingle and the El Jimador Margarita Flight, with a portion of the proceeds supporting Toys for Tots.
As an incentive, guests who donate $10 or more during their visit will receive a coupon for a complimentary appetizer on their next visit.
Further supporting the initiative, select Applebee’s locations will host Breakfast with Santa events on Dec. 13. These family-friendly events will offer breakfast, photo opportunities with Santa, raffles, and goodies, with all proceeds donated directly to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.
“We’re proud to celebrate our 27th year partnering with Toys for Tots® and supporting children in need throughout our local communities,” Kurt Pahlitzsch, vice president of operations at Doherty Enterprises. “This long-standing partnership reflects our commitment to giving back, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to spread holiday cheer.”
All funds raised are guaranteed to return to the communities where they were collected, directly ensuring that every dollar helps improve the lives of local children.
