A new restaurant coming to State College next month should increase competition among eateries in the area.

Applebee's will be opening its first restaurant in State College at 12 Colonnade Way.

The estimated opening date is Nov. 25, said Pascal Passaga, the restaurant's general manager.

Applebee's will be opening its restaurant close to several other franchise restaurants, said Sheryl Burkhart, Applebee's corporate marketing director.

"We tend to open our restaurants right next to our competition," Burkhart said.

Chili's Grill & Bar, 137 S. Allen St., will be Applebee's biggest competitor, despite the restaurants' vastly different locations, she said.

In downtown State College, Chili's is an easy location for most students, but Applebee's is close to Atherton Street and the construction of I-99, Burkhart said.

Applebee's will most likely run specials for students and establish a happy hour to attract students, Burkhart added.

"[Applebee's] is a fun atmosphere, and the food's affordable to most students," she said.

One popular franchise that will now be competing directly with Applebee's is Olive Garden, 1945 Waddle Rd. Though there will be a new restaurant in the area, Olive Garden is not worried about losing customers, said Chris Smith, general manager.

The restaurants are located in a "more remote area'' of State College, and additional businesses could attract more people to that part of town, Smith said. "Hopefully they'll draw more people to the community," he added.

Smith added he is not worried about current Olive Garden customers being attracted to Applebee's and away from Olive Garden.