Apple-Metro, Inc., the New York Metro-Area Applebee’s franchisee, will open New York City’s first USGBC LEED Gold Certified Restaurant on Monday, December 10 , 2012.

This environmentally-friendly restaurant, located in the East River Plaza at 117^th St., East of Pleasant Ave. in New York City, will mark Apple-Metro, Inc.’s 35^th Applebee’s location.

Not only does this sit-down, casual dining restaurant at 117^th St. in Manhattan offer a comfortable environment for 350+ diners, this USGBC LEED Gold Certified location is equipped with over 40 environmentally-friendly upgrades including rainwater and daylight harvesting, waterless urinals, LED light fixtures, Energy Star equipment, living walls, and reclaimed wood (expanded list attached). At the front of the restaurant there will be a Green Education Touch Screen.

All which will inform customers about the features that make the restaurant environmentally-friendly and the benefits of living in a green environment.

In addition, free Wi-Fi service and also Personal Viewing Systems. Thereby enabling guests to hear what they are watching on Applebee’s Flat Screen TVs are also available for the guest’s convenience.

The restaurant’s regular business hours will also be Sunday through Thursday. That’s from 11am to midnight. As well as Friday-Saturday, from 11am to 1am. As well, to-go service will also be available.

Economic Impact

On November 9^th, Apple-Metro opened a restaurant located in Parkchester on 75 Metropolitan Oval, Bronx. With the addition of Applebee’s 117^th St. and Parkchester, Apple-Metro, Inc. will create more than 300 local neighborhood jobs. Apple-Metro, Inc. also plans to open additional restaurants throughout 2013. Moreover and is confident that their continued growth and environmental focus will be combined. Finally, it will be met with customer and neighborhood acclaim.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar

East River Plaza

117^th St. & Pleasant Avenue

New York, NY 10029

Expanded List of LEED Gold Certified Elements:

Rainwater harvesting
White reflective rubber roof – partial
Larger Planters on small setback roof
Energy reduction
Energy Stat TV’s
Daylight harvesting –Skylights and Rooftop Greenhouse that work in conjunction with sensors that control the lighting levels automatically
Automatic window shades
Green education – Touch screen
Waterless urinals
Tankless HW Heaters
LED light fixtures
Dimmer controls
Occupancy sensors
TV’s
Air curtains
LED Exterior Signs
Most interestingly recycled foam in walk in cooler walls.
Recycled PVC floor in the Kitchen and Recycled carpet in the Dining Room
Bamboo bar& counter tops
High R walls/Roofs – Metl Span
Eco power flushometers
High efficiency toilets
Daikin – Energy efficient Condensing Units and AHU’s with heat recovery
Air Purification Unit
Energy star equipment
Steel, Rebar, Drywall, Ceiling tiles, wallpaper, and flooring with a high recycled content
Rapidly renewable resources
More importantly also sourcing materials locally
Furthermore, recycle construction debris’
Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring, therefore with CO2 Sensors.
Also, stormwater design and more quality controls.
Removed the heat island effect. Painted roof not black.
Most interestingly a water efficient landscape
Storage and also collection of recyclables
Pulper and also extractor, most importantly at the dishwashing unit
More importantly Heat Loss Recovery
Consequently VFD hood and also HVAC Controls
Also Living walls
Furthermore Reclaimed wood
Finally Bamboo Chandeliers