Applebee's to open its first restaurant in China

SHANGHAI, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Applebee's International Inc APPB.O will open its first restaurant in China this week as the U.S. casual-dining chain confronts weak consumer spending and stiff competition at home.

Applebee's, which is in the process of being acquired by IHOP Corp IHP.N, said in an invitation notice that the restaurant would open in a downtown district of Shanghai on Friday.

U.S. restaurant chains including Yum Brands Inc (YUM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), McDonald's Corp (MCD.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Papa John's (PZZA.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) are already competing for market share in China, where the rising ranks of the urban middle class are increasingly opting for western-style dining.

Yum's Pizza Hut is now China's biggest casual dining company with more than 250 restaurants in 60 Chinese cities. Papa John's has about 51 stores in 12 cities.