Applebee’s brings back its signature Dollarita
The cocktail is available at the casual-dining chain throughout July for $1.
June 23, 2026
Applebee’s is bringing back its signature Dollarita, a Margarita made with tequila, triple sec, and lime available for $1 throughout July.
“An American original, the Dollarita has become a true cultural icon,” Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Chin said in a statement. “This July, we’re bringing it back, by overwhelming demand, for just $1, giving guests 21-plus the perfect way to celebrate summer with unbeatable value at Applebee’s.”
Applebee's sold its first $1 cocktail in October of 2017. The Dollarita has since become a hallmark of the chain that leans into value and overindexes on lower-income consumers.
It has proven to be a traffic driver for Applebee’s. When the chain brought the Dollarita back in late 2023, for example, John Peyton, CEO of parent company Dine Brands, said it was one of the company’s most successful campaigns that year.
“The highlight for Applebee’s was the success of our Dollarita promotion, which tapped into the promotional mindset of our guest and drove strong comp sales and positive traffic,” he told analysts at the time. “Dollarita was welcomed by our franchisees because it drove profitable sales and traffic.”
During that go-round on the menu, 93% of Dollarita purchases included an add-on menu item. Peyton said the promotion also expanded Applebee’s demographic reach and attracted a younger age cohort, many of whom were first-time visitors. The company sold about 135 Dollaritas a day, which exceeded all internal targets.
The promotion is available for dine-in guests only from July 1 through July 31.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
Follow her on TikTok: @aliciakelso
About the Author
Alicia Kelso
Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News
Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com, and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America, and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.
Follow her on TikTok @aliciakelso
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