June 3, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – The landscaping crew is working hard to put a shine on the high-profile corner of Highway 33 and Wildwood Road in West Bend, WI. The former Applebee’s location is going through a transformation as the tired landscape is removed of dead trees, rootballs and scraggley brush. Compare the two videos below to witness the upgrade as property owner Steve Kearns makes way for his new tenant.
On Thursday, work crews will be changing the skyline as the Applebee’s signs will be removed from the building. The work is weather dependent.
Kearns purchased the property in June 2025. The community has been patient, knowing if Kearn’s vision is anything like what happened in Slinger, morphing the old Kettle Moraine Bowl into the current hotspot of The Kettle and Jug’s Pub & Grill... West Bend will be in for a treat.
Village President Scott Stortz will tell you the revived intersection of Hwy 60 and STH 175 is priceless. “It’s one more thing that has happened in the Village in the last handful of years that has shown businesses that you can come here and invest the money and get it back.
“Steve Kearns and Jason Jug have done just an unbelieveable job. The reviews from people – they love the service, they love the food, they love the entertainment option and just the facelift and the money he has put into the community has been fantastic, we are very thankful and the community is very thankful and it’s been great.”
Stortz said Kearns investment will definitely prompt growth. “This will spur other businesses to hopefully invest in their buildings,” he said.
“If anyone has any question as to Steve’s vision and what he puts into something, they should come and tour The Kettle and that will help anyone understand… that what he’s doing to Applebee’s … I’m sure it will be outstanding.”
For the Village of Slinger, Stortz said they are lucky Kearns chose them. “We are so grateful,” he said. “What he did is phenomenal to that building and that site and he’s planning to do other things. There’s no other person in this county that would have put the money into this building that he put in and there’s not another person who would have made that kind of investment and this is a gentleman that does not have to do anything anymore. He chose to do this and he did it to the nines.”
On a side note:
-For collectors, the vintage Applebee’s signs are already spoken for.
-Take a look below… as images from the entryway at Applebee’s provide a real step back in time.
-Followers of the Insider know Kearns is highly-respected as someone with vision. Remember Preps on the Net. The local high school sports network that was livestreaming games 10 years ahead of everyone else? Remember how the former Kettle Moraine Bowl looked in Slinger before Kearns purchased the property? Before-and-after photos are below.
-People stopping to visit the former Applebee’s location have told landscaper Dave what a difference he’s made. “It used to be such an eyesore. We can’t wait to see what’s next,” said Mary Jean Ducker.
-If you had his ear – what would tell Steve Kearns you’de like to see like in this location?
September 10, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The sale price has been posted for the former Applebee’s location at 2510 W. Washington Street, in West Bend, WI.
Applebee’s abruptly closed April 29, 2025. Steve Kearns is the new owner. The parcel’s total assessed value was listed at $590,000. What would you like to see in this location?
The sale closed June 30, 2025, for $585,000. Below is a complete listing of Property Sales Year to Date 2025.
Below are previous articles and some history on Applebee’s in West Bend, Wi.
Take note, back in July – you can see below – there was a tip about another ice cream shop on S. Main Street in West Bend, WI. We can see how that came to fruition… two months later.
July 3, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The property, 2510 W. Washington Street, in West Bend, WI, previously home to the shuttered franchise Applebee’s has sold.
He said he will “not” turn it into a car dealership.
The property is 4,400 square feet, plus the parking lot.
Below is the article published when Applebee’s closed in West Bend, WI.
PS – on a side note, and a reward for Insiders, what would you think about another ice cream shop on S. Main Street in West Bend, Wi?
Stay tuned. You’ll be saying, “I heard it on the Insider.”
April 29, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – Franchise restaurant Applebee’s, 2510 W. Washington Street in West Bend, Wi has announced it is now closed.
Identifying as “your neighborhood bar and grill” the store on the corner of Highway 33 and Wildwood Road confirmed the closure with a note taped to the door.
While there are various owners of the Applebee’s outlets, there have been other stores around the state that have also closed including a franchise in Delafield, West Allis, Kenosha, and Wisconsin Rapids which announced its closure today, April 28, 2025. Click HERE for a list of closures.
Do you remember what used to be on that corner? Or in the parking lot where Pick n’ Save currently is?
Applebee’s opened in West Bend in 1996.
Back then that area also had was Frontier Bowl owned by Boudry, Rocky Rococo’s Pizza, Wendy’s Restaurant and the Fanta Suites where the bar inside was J.R. Maxamillian’s.
When Bob Gannon purchased the hotel, the bar inside was called Joey’s. “We used to go watch the Packers there on Sunday and they had the best white chicken chili… very spicy,” said DJ Bob Bonenfant.
The entryway of the Applebee’s in West Bend, Wi, was dedicated to the history of the community with images of the old Courthouse, the downtown West Bend Theatre, and surrey races from the old Fairgrounds off Highway 33.
Click HERE to read about the new Jug’s Pub & Grill opening in Slinger, Wi
Calls have been placed to the owner for more information.
The last day for Applebee’s was Sunday, April 27, 2025. On Monday, the doors were locked, and staff were busy loading boxes and cleaning.
