Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, 248.260.8466; barbara@eafocus.com
Ferndale, Mich. – Feb. 1, 2016 – Valentine Distilling Company, one of the nation’s first craft distilleries and the largest in Michigan, will provide 67 Michigan Applebee’s restaurants with Valentine’s award winning Liberator Gin and White Blossom Vodka for Applebee’s D Tea, a twist on the classic Long Island Iced Tea that mixes gin, vodka, triple sec liquor fresh sour mix and cola. All 67 of the restaurants are owned by Livonia-based TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants. The announcement was made by Valentine Distilling Company founder and CEO, Rifino Valentine.
“With the addition of Applebee’s, Valentine Distilling Company continues to expand its footprint in nationwide chain restaurants,” Valentine said. “We are honored to partner with TEAM Schostak and the Applebee’s brand, which is synonymous with excellent food and spirits.”
Jeff Pittel, Director of Beverages for the 67 TEAM Schostak-owned Applebee’s, explained the addition of Valentine Distilling Company to its list of quality suppliers.
“We are pleased to feature Valentine Distilling Company’s gin and vodka as our food and drink menu evolves to satisfy guest preferences,” Pittel said. “Applebee’s already expanded our tap line to feature Michigan craft beers, and we wanted to take that a step further by offering Michigan-made wine and spirits. Valentine has a nationally recognized brand and aligns with our strategy to support Michigan businesses that allow us to deliver high quality yet affordable products.”
Valentine, President of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association, likes the connection to Applebee’s D Tea and his company’s own Detroit-inspired approach to distilling.
“Valentine’s Liberator Gin is named after the Liberator B-24 heavy bomber built in Detroit during World War II,” Valentine said. “It’s fitting to supply this particular Valentine product to a craft cocktail that is uniquely Detroit,” Valentine said.
Follow Valentine Distilling Company on Instagram at valdistill and on Twitter @valdistill.
About TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants
Livonia, Mich.-based TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants is a family-owned restaurant group with an expansive portfolio of casual dining, quick service and family dining restaurants throughout the state of Michigan. With a commitment to quality operations, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants is an industry leader in attracting, developing and retaining the most talented work force that proudly delights its guests and sets an unmatched standard of excellence. For the past three decades, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants has expanded its restaurant catalog to include 67 Applebee’s, 11 Olga’s Kitchen restaurants and four Del Taco restaurants. In 2014, TSFR announced plans to launch 25 MOD Pizza restaurants in Michigan and opened its first two locations in 2015. For more information, visit www.teamschostak.com.
About Valentine Distilling Company
Established in 2007 and among the nation’s first craft distilleries, Valentine Distilling Company is an American pioneer of small batch, handcrafted spirits. The company’s award winning vodka, gin and bourbon are available throughout the United States and in six other countries. In the tradition of Detroit’s manufacturing leadership, Ferndale, Michigan-based Valentine Distilling Company is dedicated to American ingenuity, quality manufacturing and small batch distilling using old world techniques that create superior products. Learn more at http://valentinedistilling.com.
