Applebee’s Server Snags Employee of the Year Award

The Apple Gold Group, a franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, announced that employee Kim Almond has been named Employee of the Year by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA).

“Kim embodies Applebee’s mission to be a great neighbor in the community and is a vital addition to our team,” says Michael Olander, president and CEO of the Apple Gold Group. “Her hard work, charisma, and passion about our guests and community have made a huge impact on her restaurant and fellow employees.”

Almond, who works at the Applebee’s located at 1240 US Highway 29, Concord, North Carolina, is an expert in nearly all aspects of the restaurant, especially as a bartender and server. She has also been a recipient of several Applebee’s internal awards, including AppleStar of the Year in 2009 and AppleStar of the Month in August 2010.

Beyond her work ethic, Almond generously gives back to the community. She raised over $1,100 for The V Foundation during the company’s “March Madness” Fundraiser, contributing to her restaurant’s total of over $5,700 and a company total of $175,000 donated for cancer research. She also volunteers her time on Saturday and Sunday mornings at Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraisers to help local charities and nonprofit organizations raise money for their cause. She has only missed one Flapjack Fundraiser in the Concord restaurant’s history.

Almond was presented with her award at the 2011 Taste of North Carolina event on February 28, 2011, at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina.