Lexington, KY – Lexington-based restaurant franchiser Thomas & King announced Friday it will sell its Applebee’s Grill and Bar locations to RMH Franchise Corporation of Lincoln, NE. The sale is still subject to closing conditions and franchisor approval, if all goes as planned the sale will be complete by the end of the year.
RMH is a franchisee of Applebee’s and, along with its affiliates, currently owns and operates 60 Applebee’s restaurants in 10 states. This purchase of Thomas & King’s locations will bring its total number of Applebee's restaurants to more than 140, making it the 2nd largest Applebee’s franchisee and one of the 15 largest franchised restaurant companies in the U.S.
RMH said that it intends to hire many of the employees currently working in the Thomas & King corporate office in Lexington. For those not offered positions with the new owners, many will have the opportunity for continued employment with Thomas & King, a release from Thomas & King states.
Thomas & King will continue to own and develop its Johnny Carino’s Italian restaurants and develop new business opportunities.
“I am especially pleased that RMH will retain many of our current home office employees,” Mike Scanlon, CEO of Thomas & King said in the release. “I am confident that RMH will continue to be a leader in our industry.”