For 32 years, Applebee's has been encouraging patrons everywhere to "eat good in the neighborhood." With roots in Atlanta, Ga., the restaurant has come a long way since its original opening there in 1980. Back then, they were called T.J. Applebee's Rx for Edibles & Elixirs. It took six years before the name was revamped to the undeniably catchier Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, and from there, things just kept getting better.

Today, the massive chain serves American comfort food, both stateside and worldwide, in over 2,000 locations. They have absolutely cornered the meal deals market, and love putting out a good cocktail bargain as well.

Despite all of their public success, though, Applebee's keeps a few key details private. What's behind the mouth-watering appetizers and iconic red booths? Read on to find out. And for more, check out 8 Secrets Olive Garden Doesn't Want You to Know.

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The chain's salads are hardly healthy
 Courtesy of Applebee's
We all know that fast-food and fast-casual salads aren't exactly the epitome of a healthy meal, and often, you're better off just getting a burger. But compared to some of the other entrée options Applebee's has to offer, we had a hard time believing that a salad wouldn't be at least a mildly better choice.

Turns out, it isn't. When we looked at the nutrition info for entrée salads offered at the chain, we realized that five out of seven clocked in at more than 1,000 calories. That's just as bad, if not worse than, a Big Mac with fries.

For example, the Oriental Chicken Salad packs a whopping 1,570 calories, and is by far the worst salad on the menu calorie-wise. But even its healthier-sounding version, which comes with grilled chicken instead of breaded, packs 1,450 calories (not much better) as well as 2,190 milligrams of sodium—that's more than you should be eating in a day!

All in all, the salads at Applebee's aren't much healthier than other, more indulgent menu options.