Tashi has an incredible above and beyond letter of accolades for Applebee’s. Her husband has terminal brain cancer and they don’t have much money. How would they celebrate him being alive 500 days after being diagnosed? A 3rd party who knew about their situation contacted the local Applebee’s and arranged for part of their meal to be comped. But then the manager went above and beyond even this fantastic gesture and really made their night special. Here’s the letter she sent Applebee’s headquarters:

To whom it may concern at Applebee’s management;

I am writing to inform you of an instance of above and beyond standard service at one of your restaurants.

On Wed July 13th my husband and I went to eat at our local Applebees in Tempe, AZ and we were just moved by how much your staff did for us. My husband is a young adult who has been fighting against a terminal brain cancer for about 20 months. The average life expectancy with this cancer is less than 3% after 18 months. Every day is obviously special, but last week we wanted to celebrate his being alive for 500 days with cancer.

A 3rd party called our local Applebees for us and spoke to the manager about our situation; fighting cancer for months with very little money or time to just celebrate. Your store stepped up and asked us to come in to enjoy a meal.

I wish to truly thank you all for giving us the chance to have a nice evening free of worry. We were able to talk, enjoy the company, and smile. Not only did the two managers come and introduce themselves to us, the waitstaff was quite attentive and the meal itself was absolutely pleasant. We had been told ahead of time that they would ‘comp’ us one meal and appetizer; and I had enough saved for the occasion that I was more than willing to pay for just one of us to eat out. Your staff decided they could do better, and they did.

The sweetest surprise came when the evening manager not only came over to congratulate my husband on being alive, but that our entire dinner was on the house.

I hope that this small note of appreciation can convey just how much it meant in our lives for that free meal. You have given the two of us a memory of a good time – a time away from the cancer that permeates every bit of our day.

Thank you so much for being truly a neighborhood restaurant, it is something I will not forget.

Again, with all appreciation
Tashi

Kudos, Applebee’s.

Learning to Hope

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