Applebee's International Inc., the world's largest casual dining restaurant concept has come out with a new concept of Big Burger Showdown that shall be in projection from the 11th of June to the July 15. It has come to the knowledge from thee echelons of the company, that the Applebee's International Inc being the pioneer in the production of homemade burger and confident in its approach takes a pleasure to project before the Americans the ideal homemade burger that deserves a place on the menu of the world's largest casual dining chain through inviting them to Applebee's "Big Burger Showdown." The finalists shall however be judged by the venerated and internationally recognized Tyler Florence, the world-renowned chef and Food Network host.

Applebee's International, Inc., is renowned in the international arena for its development and escalation of vast network principles of high excellence in business, franchises and operation of restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar brand, the largest casual dining concept in the world. It functions from its headquarter in Overland Park, Kan. It has been estimated that by February 2007, there were 1,942 restaurants operating system-wide in 49 states, 16 international countries, and one U.S. territory. It has a well-earned reputation for excellence in its sound process of investor relations. The company for its notable performance and the best overall investor relations team of any small-cap company in America has won the Grand Prix and has been recognized by the IR Magazine for the fourth consecutive year. On the very last year, the company was voted as the "Most Shareholder Friendly" restaurant company by Institutional Investor Magazine.

The Company has announced that the consumers are free to enter the contest through the submission of their favorite original hamburger recipe by visiting the Website www.foodnetwork.com/applebees. There shall be a rigorous process of selection in which the Judges from Food Network and Applebee's International will select four regional finalists in September, and the fortunate ones will receive a trip to New York City to compete in The Big Burger Showdown in the month of October. In addition the contestants will be able to grill their burgers to see who can win over the taste buds of the judge, Florence, host of Food 911 and Tyler's Ultimate. It has been also been announced that the finalists will also receive a tour of the Food Network studios and Applebee's gift cards.

Speaking on this unique contest Florence said, "A hamburger is an American classic that can be dressed up in so many ways to provide a flavorful and mouth-watering culinary experience. I look forward to tasting the contestants' signature creations and choosing the one that will be featured in Applebee's menus along with other unique, great-tasting burgers like the Quesadilla Burger and Bruschetta Burger."