Applebee's to sell more "date night" passes after first batch sold out in 1 minute

Applebee's is releasing more "date night" passes after customers hungry for romance snapped up the restaurant chain's first round of meal vouchers in just one minute. 

The company is making 1,000 additional passes available for purchase through a lottery system. Applebee's did not disclose how many passes it initially sold, but unexpectedly high demand "showed us that our guests are hungry for date night at Applebee's with the passes selling out in less a minute to guests in more than 40 states," the company said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. 

The subscriptions cost $200 passes and are good for a total of 52 weekly meals valued at $30 each, valuing them at more than $1,500. Customers who weren't able to buy passes the first time around can register for the random drawing online between Feb. 5 and Feb. 9. Applebee's will notify the 1,000 successful entrants that they may purchase passes on Valentine's day, Feb. 14.

The restaurant chain first offered a limited number of the passes at the end of last month. The passes, which went on sale January 22, pays for $30 worth of food and beverages per date, although alcoholic drinks aren't included. Customers are sold on the company's website and aren't available at the company's locations. 

Pass holders looking to get the most out of the deal could save about $1,360 annually if they use their subscription every week for a year. By contrast, the pass is not valid at 16 Applebee's locations across the U.S., including restaurants in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and more. 

Applebee's has more than 1,500 restaurants in 11 countries and territories around the world. 

According to one study, since 2013 the typical cost of dating is up $40% to $1,560 per person each year.

Government labor data shows that in 2022 spending on food away from home, typically in restaurants, rose more than 20%. Cooking for romantic prospects at home has also become pricier, with spending on food at home jumping 8.4% that year.