Reuters - USA - (APPB.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is shaking up its marketing and menu offerings and continues to evaluate options for a sale or recapitalization, the struggling casual restaurant chain's chief executive told shareholders on Friday.

"It's been a challenging year," Applebee's CEO David Goebel said at the company's annual meeting here before laying out a series of new directives. Overland Park, Kansas-based Applebee's has been hurt by a pullback in consumer spending and increased competition with other bar-and-grill chains.

In what will be the company's most visible move, Applebee's will roll out a new advertising campaign next week called "Grilling Fresh" in conjunction with

Kansas City Business Journal - Kansas City, MO, USA - Shareholders at Applebee's International Inc.'s annual meeting on Friday learned little about the elephant in the neighborhood -- the company's effort to increase shareholder value, possibly through a sale.

CEO Dave Goebel shed no new light on progress by the casual dining chain (Nasdaq: APPB) in considering a sale. He said the company's board and a special strategy committee are considering second-round offers from potential buyers, but that there was no assurance the company would pursue those offers.

Company executives didn't field questions specifically about buyout offers or in which direction the strategy committee is leaning in its considerations. In addition to