Applebee’s is turning up the cheese factor in a big way, giving guests exactly what they’ve been craving: more melty, gooey, over-the-top comfort food. The restaurant chain has officially made its viral favorite even cheesier with the launch of the NEW O-M-Cheese Burger, priced at just $11.99. The burger has already captured attention online thanks to its dramatic cheese-pull moment, and now Applebee’s is making it even more indulgent by serving it in a sizzling skillet with extra molten queso and a blend of melted Cheddar cheeses.
The new burger isn’t the only item creating excitement. Alongside this upgraded cheesy masterpiece, Applebee’s is also rolling out five brand-new menu additions, offering guests more variety and bold flavors. These new items include a craveable appetizer and a mix of hearty entrees and lighter meal options, including two salads under 600 calories. With this menu refresh, Applebee’s is making sure there’s something for everyone—whether guests are in the mood for rich comfort food, fresh bowls, or flavorful salads.
The NEW O-M-Cheese Burger Brings the Ultimate Cheese Pull Experience
Applebee’s NEW O-M-Cheese Burger isn’t just a burger—it’s a full-on cheese celebration designed for social media-worthy moments. The restaurant has leaned into the viral appeal of the original O-M-Cheese Burger and taken the concept even further by adding more queso and more melted cheese, giving guests what Applebee’s is calling their very own “cheese pool.”
Served in a sizzling skillet, the burger sits atop a bed of molten queso and a melted Cheddar blend that bubbles and sizzles when it arrives at the table. This presentation doesn’t just enhance the flavor—it also creates a dramatic and irresistible moment when guests lift the burger and pull the cheese away, stretching it into long, melty strands.
At the center of the dish is a juicy all-beef burger patty that delivers the classic Applebee’s burger taste fans already love. It’s topped with American cheese for that smooth, familiar cheeseburger richness, and then layered with Applewood-smoked bacon for a smoky, savory crunch. Applebee’s also adds spicy honey mustard, which provides a bold kick that balances the creamy cheese with a touch of heat and sweetness.
The burger is served with classic fries, completing the comfort-food experience. The combination of melted cheese, crispy bacon, juicy beef, and seasoned fries makes this a high-impact menu item aimed at guests who want something indulgent, filling, and fun.
A Viral Fan Favorite Gets an Upgrade
The O-M-Cheese Burger originally gained attention because of its over-the-top cheesy appeal, quickly becoming a fan favorite and generating buzz online. Applebee’s has now responded directly to guest excitement by increasing the cheese portion, creating an even more indulgent version that emphasizes the signature cheese pull.
According to Applebee’s, the upgraded burger was designed to satisfy guests who wanted more of what made the original popular: the molten queso, the sizzling skillet presentation, and the cheese-heavy bite that turns an everyday burger into an experience.
Michelle Chin, Applebee’s chief marketing officer, emphasized that the new version is all about giving guests what they’ve been asking for. She explained that the burger has become an instant fan favorite, and now the restaurant is leaning into that excitement by giving customers even more cheese to enjoy.
With guests already buzzing since the burger’s initial debut, Applebee’s expects the enhanced “cheese pool” presentation to spark even more attention, both in restaurants and on social media.
Value Meets Indulgence with the 2 for $25 Menu
In addition to being available as a standalone menu item, Applebee’s is also including the NEW O-M-Cheese Burger in its popular value deal offerings. For a limited time, guests can enjoy the burger as part of Applebee’s signature 2 for $25 Menu, a promotion that allows diners to pair two entrees with a shared appetizer or two side salads.
This deal offers guests the ability to combine indulgent menu items while still keeping the experience affordable, reinforcing Applebee’s reputation as a neighborhood restaurant chain focused on comfort food and value.
The O-M-Cheese Burger can be paired with another Applebee’s favorite, the Fiesta Lime Chicken, giving guests a mix of cheesy burger indulgence and bold Tex-Mex flavor. With the option to add an appetizer or salads, diners can customize their meal depending on whether they’re looking for a hearty feast or something more balanced.
This promotion not only encourages guests to try the new burger but also creates an opportunity for groups, couples, and families to explore multiple menu items in a single visit.
Applebee’s Expands the Menu with Five New Items
While the O-M-Cheese Burger is the headline item, Applebee’s isn’t stopping there. The brand is also launching five new menu additions, bringing a mix of appetizers, bowls, chicken dishes, and salads designed to satisfy a wide range of cravings.
These new menu items highlight Applebee’s strategy of offering both indulgent comfort food and lighter options. The additions include an appetizer built for sharing, a seafood bowl for guests looking for something fresh, a crispy chicken entrée for comfort-food lovers, and two salads aimed at diners seeking a lower-calorie option without sacrificing flavor.
Each item brings a distinct flavor profile, helping Applebee’s deliver variety while still staying aligned with its familiar neighborhood dining style.
NEW Loaded Potato Waves Add a Cheesy, Crispy Appetizer Option
Applebee’s new appetizer, Loaded Potato Waves, is designed for guests who love snackable, shareable comfort food. The dish features thick-cut potato slices cooked until crispy, giving them a satisfying crunch while still maintaining a hearty bite.
The potato waves are smothered in melty Cheddar cheeses and topped with Applewood-smoked bacon, delivering a loaded baked potato-style flavor in a shareable appetizer format. Applebee’s finishes the dish with a side of ranch dressing, adding a cool, creamy dipping option that pairs well with the savory bacon and cheese.
This appetizer fits perfectly into Applebee’s lineup of crowd-pleasing starters and is likely to become a popular choice for diners who want something cheesy, indulgent, and easy to share at the table.
NEW Sesame Salmon Bowl Brings a Fresh and Flavorful Entrée
For guests looking for a lighter but still satisfying meal, Applebee’s has introduced the NEW Sesame Salmon Bowl. This entrée features seared blackened salmon served over cilantro rice, creating a bold combination of smoky seasoning and fresh herbal flavor.
The bowl also includes a sweet sesame salad, adding a crisp and refreshing contrast to the warm rice and salmon. It’s topped with avocado cucumber salsa, which brings creaminess and freshness, as well as almonds for crunch and cilantro for an added layer of flavor.
This bowl-style entrée reflects a growing demand for meals that feel modern, fresh, and balanced. With seafood as the protein option, the Sesame Salmon Bowl gives Applebee’s guests another alternative beyond burgers and chicken-based entrees.
NEW Lemon Parmesan Chicken Delivers Comfort Food with a Zesty Twist
Applebee’s is also leaning into classic comfort dining with the launch of NEW Lemon Parmesan Chicken. This dish features a crispy, hand-breaded chicken breast topped with a zesty lemon garlic parmesan sauce that blends citrus brightness with rich savory flavor.
The entrée is served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasoned broccoli, creating a complete plate that feels both hearty and familiar. The mashed potatoes provide creamy comfort, while the broccoli adds a savory vegetable side that balances the richness of the sauce and fried chicken.
Applebee’s describes this dish as comfort food done right, and it’s easy to see why. It combines crispy texture, bold seasoning, and a classic meat-and-sides presentation that appeals to diners who want a traditional sit-down meal.
NEW California Grilled Chicken Salad Offers a Fresh, Protein-Packed Option
Applebee’s is also expanding its salad offerings with the NEW California Grilled Chicken Salad, a fresh entrée salad that blends grilled chicken with bold toppings. The salad includes avocado cucumber salsa, tomatoes, crispy Applewood-smoked bacon, and shaved Parmesan cheese served over mixed greens.
The dish is tossed in Lite Italian dressing and finished with a balsamic glaze drizzle, giving it a balanced mix of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The combination of grilled chicken and bacon offers satisfying protein, while the greens and salsa provide freshness.
This salad gives guests a lighter alternative to fried and cheesy menu items while still delivering the flavor Applebee’s is known for.
NEW Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad Adds a Sweet and Savory Balance
For diners who enjoy fruity flavors in their salads, Applebee’s is also launching the NEW Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad. This salad features fresh greens tossed in Lite Italian dressing, topped with garden tomatoes and red onions for a crisp bite.
The salad is finished with grilled chicken, sliced almonds, fresh strawberries, and balsamic glaze. The strawberries add natural sweetness, while the balsamic glaze brings a tangy finish that complements the savory chicken and crunchy almonds.
Applebee’s highlights that this salad is part of its effort to offer lighter menu options, and it also fits the trend of mixing fruit, nuts, and savory proteins into balanced entrée salads.
Two New Salads Under 600 Calories Offer Lighter Dining Choices
A key highlight of this menu expansion is that two of the new salads are under 600 calories, offering guests a lighter meal option without sacrificing taste or variety. Applebee’s has recognized that many diners want menu items that align with healthier preferences while still providing the satisfying flavor and portion size they expect from a casual dining restaurant.
By adding salads that are both flavorful and calorie-conscious, Applebee’s is widening its appeal and making its menu more flexible for guests with different dietary goals.
Applebee’s Strategy Focuses on Variety, Flavor, and Guest Cravings
Michelle Chin explained that Applebee’s new menu items were created to deliver variety and satisfy a wide range of cravings. From hearty comfort dishes like Lemon Parmesan Chicken and Loaded Potato Waves to lighter meals like the new salads and the Sesame Salmon Bowl, Applebee’s is aiming to meet guests wherever their appetite takes them.
This menu refresh reinforces the brand’s commitment to being a neighborhood destination where diners can find familiar favorites alongside new and exciting items. It also reflects Applebee’s ability to blend value-driven offerings with trend-inspired dishes, such as bowls and modern salads.
A Cheesier, Bigger Menu Experience for the Neighborhood
With the enhanced NEW O-M-Cheese Burger and the introduction of five additional menu items, Applebee’s is making a strong statement that it’s ready to deliver bold flavor and comfort food excitement. The brand is leaning into what made its burger viral—cheese, indulgence, and presentation—while also expanding its offerings to include more variety and lighter choices.
From the sizzling skillet “cheese pool” burger experience to crispy loaded potato appetizers and fresh salad bowls, Applebee’s is giving guests new reasons to visit, try something different, and enjoy an updated menu built around today’s dining trends.
Whether customers are chasing the ultimate cheese pull, looking for a hearty chicken entrée, or choosing a salad under 600 calories, Applebee’s latest menu additions ensure that Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood now comes with even more flavor than ever.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
