As you may recall, I was given an Applebee's gift certificate by Denee and Scott a while back. It's valid in the greater Pittsburgh area, including, it says, State College and Altoona. I found an Applebee's right on my route in Hermitage, PA, closer to Pittsburgh than either of the aforementioned cities. But they refused to accept my gift certificate, so I continued on down the road toward the greater Cleveland area.
Day 25
Eatin’ Nuthin’ in the Neighborhood
April 20th, 2010
That’s great. You can’t pay for advertising like that. Of course they don’t usually want to pay for advertising like that.
Time to turn to the Twittersphere: http://twitter.com/jasoneppink/status/12527400805
THATS IT FOR ME I WILL NOT PATRONIZE APPLEBEES ANY MORE THEY LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER
Well,
There’s no expiration date. Maybe you can hit it up on your way back. . . wait. . . .
they should be ashamed
I can’t believe they would not accept your gift certificate, especially you are walking ‘cross country! They really should be ashamed.
What a sham. Taco Bell would never treat you that way.
I just read about your trek on Yahoo! news page. Your long walk sounds like something I would enjoy some day. I have kids now, so not until they are grown, or at least bigger. Thanks for sharing your adventure online for people like me to vicariously enjoy your trip. Best wishes to you!!
You are more than welcome to come bathe, do laundry, eat dinner and breakfast and charge your cell if you come to Rockford MN. Amazing job you are doing and to heck with Applebee’s!
Hello:
Im from Franklin WI and I wish that I cound have met you on your way through the State. I would have loved to have sent you on with some goodies too.
Good Luck and Good Health to you!
I can appreciate what you are doing. I have walked some pretty crazy distances to some standards but nothing as admirable as you. I wish I would run into you to help you along. Who knows?? Enjoy your peace and stay safe.
God Bless You!
corporate America at it’s finest.
Hello from Vermont! I want you to know that I’ve written to Applebees and I’ve told them to make right by this! I cannot believe the stupidity on their part. What you are doing is in a word amazing. I guess I cannot begin to say anything to you that hasn’t already been stated, but for what it’s worth, thank you for posting the pics, the comments and info. about your journey. It’s amazing, fun and overall entertaining to read and feel a part of. I wish you much continued happiness and joy on your walking journey!
– Ray
If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk. ~Raymond Inmon
A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ~Paul Dudley White
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright
When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body. I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I just called Applebees corporate in KS and had a nice chat about this with them. :-) I think you’ll be eating at Applebees soon.
Hey Applebee’s shame on you! You claim to be the “Neighborhood Place” for all common folk Americans to gather ! Now, with this shameful publicity they need to correct this now….Every Applebee’s restaurants that this young man encounters should NOW without question WELCOME HIM INTO THEIR ESTABLISHMENT FOR FREEEEEEEE! Applebees Corporate Headquarters you dropped the ball and totally missed the OPPORTUNITY WHEN IT CAME KNOCKING – to truly show that your chain of restaurants is DIFFERENT from the rest of the corporate leeches! I for one am not patronizing this establishment again until they make right !
Fine to shame Applebee’s, but, also shame on the franchisees of the establishment that didn’t take it.
In all fairness to Applebee’s, those who refused to honor the certificate were most likely not the franchise owner or decision-making manager, and were simply following guidelines established by management. I hope that once this is brought to the attention of proper Applebee’s authority, they will do right by Matt. Sounds like Ray Arsenault has stepped into the role of advocate on Matt’s behalf. Maybe if we all follow Ray’s example and contact Applebee’s about Matt’s walk through America’s neighborhoods, they will take notice and help to nourish Matt as he passes through one of their neighborhoods.
I just submitted the following to Applebee’s “contact us” link on their website. Please feel free to copy/paste for your own submission, just remember to update the day of Matt’s journey and his location.
“Matt Green is currently on a journey to walk across America, from Rockaway Beach, NY to Rockaway Beach, OR. He has just finished Day 70 of his walk and is in Minneapolis. While walking through Pennsylvania, he was given a gift certificate to Applebee’s, which he attempted to use prior to reaching Ohio, and was refused. You need to read this part of his blog: http://imjustwalkin.com/2010/04/20/eatin-nuthin-in-the-neighborhood/#comment-3725
Please make sure this goes high up to top management. Matt is gaining nationwide attention as he walks through America’s neighborhoods. Applebee’s has an amazing marketing opportunity here to make sure he’s “eatin’ good” in those neighborhoods.”
That was sooooo awesome of you barb!! Im I tears over this website and the kindness of strangers. So proud…
Something rude in the neighborhood.