Yu is the president of the Peterson Group Inc., a real estate development and management firm, but has been involved in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years as a franchisee of various brands, including McDonald's. In Dallas, the company is selling 37 company-operated restaurants to Sunil Dharod, another franchisee new to the Applebee's system. Dharod is president and CEO of Synned Inc., and currently operates 18 Burger Kings and 11 Blockbuster stores in the Dallas area, and owns other commercial real estate properties.The buyer in the Albuquerque deal (seven properties) is Andy Patel, yet another franchisee new to the Applebee's system. Patel is president of Anand Enterprises Inc. and Mina Inc., and has been involved in restaurant and hotel businesses in Florida for more than 19 years. He currently operates 18 IHOP restaurants in Florida as a sub-licensee of Sunshine Restaurant Partners, in addition to operating franchise hotel brands Travelodge and Day Inns.