IHOP enters Saudi Arabia

Glendale, Calif. — DineEquity, Inc., parent company of IHOP Restaurants, has opened the first IHOP restaurant in Saudi Arabia. The restaurant, located in “Le Mall,” is part of a seven-brand restaurant destination in Jeddah, which opened Dec. 14.



The opening represents the fifth restaurant for the IHOP brand in the region since 2012 under its multi-franchise agreement with M.H. Alshaya Co., an international franchise operator which has opened IHOP locations in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The agreement between Alshaya and IHOP Franchise Company, LLC, allows for the development of 40 restaurants across the Middle East and North Africa region, with plans to expand to markets including Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Egypt.



“We are delighted to add Saudi Arabia to the expanding list of countries where guests can enjoy the great food and service that are the hallmarks of IHOP restaurants everywhere,” said Julia Stewart, chairman and CEO, DineEquity Inc., and interim president, International House of Pancakes, LLC. “Our restaurants in this region have already proven that there is a great demand for our menu in this market, thanks to the tremendous job Alshaya has done in bringing their unparalleled expertise and high standards of excellence to our restaurants there. We look forward to working together to open additional locations throughout the region.”