Newtown franchisee The Rose Group, one of Greater Philadelphia’s largest family-owned companies, has acquired six Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar restaurants in Central Pennsylvania, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. 

The six eateries in Carlisle, Ephrata, Harrisburg, Hummelstown, Lancaster, and York were purchased from fellow franchisee Keystone Apple on Nov. 19 for an undisclosed amount. 

With this latest acquisition, The Rose Group has expanded its footprint into Harrisburg and its surrounding area. 

“The Harrisburg market is vibrant and full of opportunity,” said Jason Rose, vice president of real estate development.

The new additions bring the number of Applebee’s locations owned by the group to 55 across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Twenty-four of them are in Greater Philadelphia. 

The acquired restaurants will add 250 employees to the company, bringing it to around 3,000 in total. 

According to Jeffrey Warden, CEO of The Rose Group, the six Applebee’s restaurants are a “perfect fit” for the company’s portfolio. 

In addition to Applebee’s, the company also operates two The Shannon Rose Irish Pub locations and an Applebee’s ghost kitchen. 

Read more about The Rose Group acquiring six Applebee’s in the Philadelphia Business Journal. 

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