Applebee's 2 for $20: What Happened to It (2026)
What the 2 for $20 Was
For years, the 2 for $20 was Applebee's flagship value deal: one appetizer to share plus two full-size entrées for twenty bucks. It started life in 2008 as a limited-time offer priced at $20 — and it was so popular it became a permanent part of the menu, according to Dine Brands CEO John Peyton (Nation's Restaurant News, May 2025). Applebee's has run the two-entrée-plus-appetizer bundle on and off for more than 20 years.
The formula never changed: pick a shareable starter, then each person picks an entrée from the deal list. Only the price tag moved.
When (and Why) It Became 2 for $25
Applebee's never announced a single switchover date — the $20 price faded out as menu costs and inflation shifted, and the company's site now prices the bundle at $25 nationwide. The move was deliberate, not quiet: Peyton told NRN that when Applebee's researched what guests valued most, they named the 2 for $25 unprompted, so the company made it the consistent, primary marketing message. In June 2026 Applebee's even added steak (6 oz Top Sirloin) to the $25 deal to strengthen it further.
The strategy is working for them: in Q2 2026, value-attached items were 30% of Applebee's transactions, and executives credited the 2 for $25 with driving traffic (Restaurant Business Online, October 2026).
Where You'll Still See "$20" — and What It Means
Google still surfaces "$20" results. Here's how to read them:
| Where you see $20 | What it actually is |
|---|---|
| Old third-party deal pages | Outdated. Several deal sites still carry $20 pages last updated months ago; the price is stale at most locations (usa-menu.com, October 2026). |
| "2 for $20" at select locations | Possible but not national. A few franchisees may still list $20-tier pricing — a local decision, not a company promotion. |
| "2 for $20 lunch" mentions | Unverified nationally. One deal tracker lists a lunch-daypart $20 combo, but Applebee's publishes no national lunch menu — our lunch guide covers what's actually verifiable. |
Applebee's own disclaimer covers all of this: "price, participation and selection may vary" by location. If a page shows you $20 with no date on it, assume it's old.
2 for $20 vs 2 for $25: Side by Side
| 2 for $20 (legacy) | 2 for $25 (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20 | $25 |
| What's included | 1 shareable appetizer + 2 entrées | 1 shareable appetizer + 2 entrées |
| Steak option | No | Yes — 6 oz Top Sirloin added June 2026 |
| Premium $30 tier | Didn't exist | Select locations (see our 2 for $30 guide) |
| Status | Retired nationally | National flagship deal |
The full current entrée and appetizer list lives on our 2 for $25 menu page, and the best-combos guide ranks which pairings save the most.
The Cheapest Applebee's Deals Right Now
Missing the $20 price? These are the closest things to it on the current menu:
| Deal | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Really Big Meal Deal | $9.99 | Sandwich or burger + fries + drink. The cheapest full meal on the menu. |
| Half-price appetizers | ~$3–$7 | Happy hour, 3–6 PM and 9 PM to close at most locations. See happy hour times. |
| All You Can Eat | $15.99 | Unlimited boneless wings, riblets or Double Crunch Shrimp + endless fries. Dine-in only, per person. |
| 2 for $25 | $25 | The direct successor — appetizer + 2 entrées, now with a steak option. |
All current offers with fine print are tracked on our specials and deals page.
How to Check Your Local Price
Because nearly every Applebee's is franchise-owned, the only price that matters is your restaurant's. Enter your ZIP code on applebees.com (or the app) and open the local menu — if a $20 bundle exists near you, it'll be listed there. Don't plan a trip around a third-party page's $20 badge without checking.
How We Verified This
Current $25 pricing confirmed against Applebee's own site (October 2026) and cross-checked with usa-menu.com (October 2026) and menupricesusa.com (verified September 1, 2026). Deal history from Nation's Restaurant News (May 8, 2025) and Restaurant Business Online (October 2026), including Dine Brands CEO John Peyton's on-the-record comments. Select-location $20 sightings per applebeeshappyhourus.org (October 2026). No prices invented; undated third-party $20 claims treated as outdated, not current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Applebee's still have 2 for $20?
No — not as a national deal in 2026. Applebee's own site prices the bundle at $25. Pages still showing $20 are outdated or reflect select locations.
Why did Applebee's raise it from $20 to $25?
Rising menu costs over the years, and a deliberate strategy call: Dine Brands' research found guests named the 2 for $25 unprompted as what they valued most, so the company leaned into $25 as its primary value message — and added steak to the deal in June 2026.
Will the 2 for $20 ever come back?
Nothing suggests it. Applebee's executives describe 2 for $25 as the "consistent and primary marketing message" for the year, and the $30 premium tier exists for anyone wanting more. If a $20 tier ever returned, expect it at select locations, not nationally.
What's the cheapest Applebee's deal right now?
The $9.99 Really Big Meal Deal (sandwich or burger, fries and a drink). After that: half-price appetizers in happy hour (~$3–$7), then the $15.99 All You Can Eat, dine-in only.
Is the 2 for $25 available at every location?
At nearly all of them, but Applebee's own disclaimer applies: price, participation and selection may vary by location. Check your local menu before you go.
