The Applebee's chain was started by Bill and T.J. Palmer who opened their first restaurant, T.J. Applebee’s Rx for Edibles & Elixirs, in Decatur, Georgia on January 1, 1980. After opening their second restaurant the pair sold their company to W. R. Grace and Company in 1983. As part of the transaction, Bill Palmer was named president of the Applebee's Division an indirect subsidiary of W. R. Grace and Company. In that capacity, Palmer guided the operation from its entrepreneurial beginnings to a full-fledged franchise system. In 1986, the name of the concept was changed to Applebee's Grill & Bar to reflect the Palmers' original concept of a place people could call their own. In 1988, Applebee's International, Inc. became the restaurant chain's franchiser when Kansas City franchisees Abe Gustin and John Hamra purchased the rights to the Applebee's concept from W. R. Grace. Today, with more than 1,900 restaurants, Applebee's is the world's largest casual dining restaurant chain. From 1993 to 2005, Applebee's opened 100 or more new restaurants each year. The company estimates the development potential of the Applebee's concept in the United States to be at least 3,000 restaurants. Kout Food Group acquired the Franchise in 1999. KFG was recognized for outstanding marketing efforts for creating the first children’s menu for Applebee’s international Franchises.