Restaurant chain creating 460 jobs with gov’t support
From left: Executive Jorge Colón-Gerena, Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Alberto Bacó and Puerto Rico Trade Executive Director Francisco Chévere.
Puerto Rican sister companies Apple Caribe Inc. and Famous Caribe Inc., operators of the Applebee’s and Famous Dave’s chains, respectively, will create a total of 460 full-time jobs supported by the incentives provided through the Jobs Now Act passed by the current administration a year ago.
So far, 395 of the slots have been certified by Puerto Rico Trade and Export and approved via special agreements, agency Executive Director Francisco Chévere said Tuesday. Those positions are split between the Hyatt Place Hotel in Bayamón and the Famous Dave’s restaurant in Carolina. More than 100 new additional jobs will be spurred by the upcoming opening of the second Famous Dave’s location in Bayamón.
“The signing of these agreements is proof of our commitment to Puerto Rico’s economic development through job creation, capital investment and partnerships with local suppliers, among other efforts,” said Jorge Colón-Gerena, chairman of both restaurant companies. “We believe in the Puerto Rican human resource to further the objectives of this Act, so we continue betting on our island’s growth and success.
The companies Colón-Gerena heads, which also include Wendy’s, LongHorn Steakhouse and Sizzler, have created more than 2,300 jobs in the past five years through a $35.5 million investment, he said.
“This Puerto Rican company not only contributes to the island’s economic development with the creation of thousands of jobs, but also invests a total of $9.8 million on the purchase of domestic products including fresh meat, bread, eggs, milk , coffee, tomatoes and sugar, thus supporting local agricultural production and the indirect creation of agricultural jobs,” Chévere said.
The information regarding how much of an incentive the restaurant operator will receive was unavailable Tuesday.
