Apple Sauce Saves Time and Increases Employee Engagement with PeopleMatter Talent Solutions

CHARLESTON, S.C -- JULY 26, 2011 -- PeopleMatter, the only comprehensive talent management solution provider for the service industry, and Apple Sauce, Inc., a major franchisee in the Applebee's system, today announced a strategic partnership. By using PeopleMatter HIRE(tm), PeopleMatter LEARN(tm) and PeopleMatter ENGAGE(tm), managers in the 78 franchised Applebee's locations will save time with automated HR tools that eliminate the need for paper and duplicate data entry, as well as motivate and engage their employees with integrated social-mobile tools. In addition, the solution's integrated hiring assessments will pre-screen and identify candidates with a service-industry mindset so managers can optimize their interviewing time.

"Our employees play an integral role in our success. Since we opened our first Applebee's in 1992, we have shared an unwavering commitment to Creating an Outstanding Restaurant Experience," stated Ron Long, Apple Sauce, Inc. Chief Operating Officer. "In today's rapidly changing world, we see how PeopleMatter's suite of solutions will help us hire the right people, train them and communicate with them more effectively."

Historically, Apple Sauce has been an innovator among the Applebee's franchisee community. "With a commitment to using technology to further our brand, moving away from inefficient, paper-based solutions to one comprehensive, easy-to-use system is a natural next step, strategically making us more nimble and cost effective in a rapidly changing work environment," said Scott Cortner, Apple Sauce, Inc. Vice President of Human Resources.

The PeopleMatter Platform offers service-industry employers and employees an integrated solution that manages the entire Hire-to-Retire process. The modules:

• People Matter HIRE(tm) identifies, hires and onboards candidates who match your business's values while ensuring they're fully "closed out" when it's time to move on. • PeopleMatter LEARN(tm) develops a trained workforce with online custom courses and tests, and also analyzes results to assign individual tasks and goals. • PeopleMatter SCHEDULE (tm) creates, posts and manages shifts anytime, anywhere using mobile solutions. • People Matter ENGAGE(tm) motivates a knowledgeable, passionate team with evaluation and recognition tools that synch with social media applications.

"Today's service-industry workforce demands automated tools to truly engage them and make their jobs easier," said Nate DaPore, PeopleMatter president and chief executive officer. "PeopleMatter's solutions were created specifically to meet the needs of this audience, decrease turnover and create empowered employees. The result for innovators, like Apple Sauce, is immediately experienced by taking customer service to the next level, which positively impacts the bottom line."

**About Apple Sauce, Inc./AppleIllinois, LLC **Apple Sauce, Inc./AppleILLINOIS, LLC owns and operates 78 Applebee's in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Florida . Applebee's Grill and Bar is the largest casual dining concept in America. Apple Sauce, Inc. opened its first Applebee's Grill & Bar in 1992, since then we have steadily grown in size and diversity to become a major franchisee in the Applebee's system. A part of this growth has been the acquisition of the Chicago market in 1998. This led to the formation of AppleILLINOIS, LLC. The corporate headquarters are located in Crestview Hills, KY and regional offices are in Ft. Wayne, IN, Chicago, IL, and Miami, FL. www.applesauceinc.com **About PeopleMatter **PeopleMatter provides the only comprehensive talent management solution for the service industry. We help employers identify, develop and engage dependable talent to provide exemplary customer service. PeopleMatter's platform of HR tools handles hiring, scheduling, learning, recognition and performance management. Our integrated technology manages the process, so employers can focus on the talent. PeopleMatter. The name says it all. PeopleMatter is headquartered in Charleston, S.C., and on the Web at www.peoplematter.com.

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