Dine Brands opens first co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant in U.S.
Dine Brands Global, Inc. has combined two of its major restaurant brands into one brick-and-mortar location – with more on the way.
The parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar, IHOP, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has announced the grand opening of its first dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant in the United States in partnership with franchisee Ramzi Hakim Group. The new restaurant opened to the public on Feb. 18 in Seguin, Texas, just outside of San Antonio.
Dine Brands currently franchises 13 international dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP locations across Canada, Mexico, Honduras, and the Middle East, as of Sept. 30, 2024. The company is slated to break ground and open 14 more dual-branded locations in the U.S. through 2026 by transforming existing single-branded restaurants and building new locations from the ground up.
“For decades, Applebee's and IHOP have been places where friends gather, families celebrate, and careers begin,” said Dine Brands chief executive officer John Peyton. “Now, with our dual-branded restaurant, we are combining the strengths of both brands to create a unique and innovative dining experience that offers choice, variety, and value to guests. Our international success with this concept has shown that our brand menus complement each other, providing something for everyone, from early mornings to late nights. We are excited to bring this new dining option to Seguin and look forward to expanding it to more communities across the country.”
At the new restaurant, guests can enjoy ordering off of both chains’ menus. It also features new, exclusive menu items, like the Buffalo Chicken Omelette and Ultimate Breakfast Burger, available only at U.S. dual-branded locations.
When guests walk through the doors, they will find distinct Applebee’s and IHOP dining areas to choose from. Dine Brands says the shared common areas, including the host stand and bathrooms, create an “integrated experience,” and the optimized back-of-house and single kitchen provide “operational efficiencies.”
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“We’re thrilled to welcome guests and serve the community of Seguin with all the IHOP items they know and love, while also introducing them to Applebee’s selection of lunch and dinner favorites,” said Ramzi Hakim, president of Ramzi Hakim Group. “As owners of both IHOP and Applebee’s restaurants, we are no strangers to these iconic brands and are honored to open the first U.S. dual-branded location in this great community.”
Based in Pasadena, Calif., Dine Brands operates over 3,500 restaurants across 19 international markets as of Sept. 30, 2024.
