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Applebee's Restaurant Support Center

A progressive and sustainable facility focused on the health and productivity of the company’s associates

Information

Location Lenexa, Kansas
Size 189,613 SF
Completion 2007
Services Architecture
Project Type Workplace
Certification LEED Silver

The Applebee’s Restaurant Support Center was designed to house more than 500 associates who provide support for the company’s 1,800 restaurants worldwide. The facility incorporates many progressive workplace and sustainable design principles to increase satisfaction and productivity of the company’s associates.

The facility is focused on flexibility, collaboration, human health and productivity — a direct response to the culture and needs of the company.

The two-story building is nestled into the sloped terrain and organized along a curved circulation system – with public entries on a prairie level and private access below at lake level. Four open office wings extend out from the circulation spine like “fingers”, and are separated by three atria and exterior landscaped courtyards that connect down to the lake and trail system. The 2-1/2 story atria allow daylight entry and views outward. The courtyards each have a unique design and extend the uses in each atrium.

To showcase the company’s focus, the Culinary Center is located directly off of the main entry in the first grand atrium.

Impact + Innovation

The building enclosure is energy efficient with increased thermal insulation and reflective roofing materials. Rain screen systems protect the exterior walls with cladding materials of Cumaru wood planks from managed forests and zinc corrugated metal siding for long life and low maintenance. The restorative site design incorporates native landscape with water-efficient and low maintenance prairie grasses, wild flowers, and best management practices for storm water management. All on-site water is either absorbed or routed and cleaned through vegetated swales and wetlands prior to reaching the existing neighboring lakes.

The Applebee’s Restaurant Support Center is focused on flexibility, collaboration, human health, and productivity. The building is nestled into the sloped terrain with public entries on a prairie level and private access below at lake level. Four open office wings are separated by three atria and exterior landscaped courtyards that connect down to the lake and trail system. The atria allow daylight entry and views outward. To showcase the company’s focus, the Culinary Center is located directly off of the main entry in the first grand atrium.

People

Team

Steve McDowell
Doug Stevens
Sarah Hirsch
Greg Sheldon
Rachel Murray
Brian McKinney
Joe Keal
Brian Rock
Valerie Frye
Ryan Warman
Mike Pollmann
Michael Gekas
Robin Dukelow
Robert Glinn
Kara Bouillette
Anna Lawrence
David Immenschuh
James Schuessler
Curtis Simmons
Aaron Ross
Greg Pfau
Mohit Mehta
Daniel Mortelli
Serben Ryan Camp
Laura Chmielewski
Spencer Davison
Robert James
Matt Schuepbach
Christina Assmann
Jennifer Isom
Kevin Yelton
Jeremy Cordell

Client

Applebee's Services, Inc.

As a result of the leadership and thought provoking innovation that our designers brought to the table, the end result truly reflects our vision and values. We believe our new restaurant support center will be an inspiring workplace that will maximize associate satisfaction and bring value and success to the Applebee’s brand. The built product is an opportunity to take the business to ‘a new level.’ Both the site and building designs are successful in acknowledging our early directions for expansion, accommodating the business operations and department needs as well as creating a new company workplace that is sensitive to our people and to the community. We have constant reminders in this facility that we did the right things for the environment and by our programs and methods are continuing to do so. Every time I look out into the beautiful courtyard outside my window (southern most courtyard), I think of you.

Karen Lazowski, Former Director, Support Services, Applebee's Services, INC.

You have been a great business partner and this legacy project just reinforces for us your commitment to our company’s growth and success. As of this week, all of our associates have moved into the facility and it has been a ‘WOW’ for all of us.

Phil Crimmins, Senior Vice President, Development, Applebee's Services INC.