IHOP

{{Infobox company

| name = IHOP Restaurants LLC

| logo = IHOP logo.svg

| logo_caption = The IHOP logo used since 2015

| trade_name = IHOP

| founded = {{Start date and age|1958|07|14}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-05-fi-1603-story.html|last=Goldstein|first=Alan|date=August 5, 1986|title=The IHOP : Chain Goes Flat Out to Prove That It Serves More Than Just Pancakes|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 5, 2019|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022152710/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-05-fi-1603-story.html|url-status=live}}
Burbank, California

| founders = Jerry Lapin, Al Lapin Jr. and Albert Kallis

| hq_location = Glendale, California, U.S.

| num_locations = 1,841 (as of December 31, 2022){{cite web|url=http://investors.dineequity.com/static-files/5efd5d85-7f87-44e6-b9d1-09213158a4d5|date=February 24, 2020|title=Dine Brands Global, Inc|work=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=March 20, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027225820/https://investors.dineequity.com/static-files/5efd5d85-7f87-44e6-b9d1-09213158a4d5|url-status=live}}

| areas_served = {{unbulleted list|United States (including Puerto Rico|Canada|Mexico|Guatemala|United Arab Emirates|Kuwait|Saudi Arabia|Qatar|Bahrain|Egypt|Ecuador|Pakistan|India|Panama|Peru| Honduras|Philippines|Slovakia}}

| key_people = Jay Johns (president){{cite web|url=https://www.nrn.com/family-dining/ihop-announces-new-brand-president|last=Dawson|first=Gloria|date=June 3, 2019|title=IHOP announces new brand president|work=Nation's Restaurant News|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023024352/https://www.nrn.com/family-dining/ihop-announces-new-brand-president|url-status=live}}

| products = {{unbulleted list|Breakfast foods|Lunch|Dinner|Sandwiches}}

| revenue = {{profit}} US$349.6 million

| revenue_year = 2006{{cite web |url=http://www.hoovers.com/ihop/--ID__13834--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml |title=IHOP Corp. |author=Joe Bramhall |publisher=Hoovers |access-date=November 20, 2007 |archive-date=December 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216053828/http://www.hoovers.com/ihop/--ID__13834--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml |url-status=live }}

| operating_income = {{profit}} US$72.8 million

| income_year = 2006

| profit = {{profit}} US$141.1 million

| profit_year = 2006

| num_employees = 32,300

| num_employees_year = 2007

| parent = Dine Brands
(1976–present)

| website = {{URL|https://www.ihop.com}}

}}

IHOP Restaurants LLC ({{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|aɪ|.|h|ɒ|p}} {{respell|EYE|hop}}; acronym for International House of Pancakes) is an American multinational pancake house restaurant chain that specializes in American breakfast foods. It is owned by Dine Brands—a company formed after IHOP's purchase of Applebee's, with 99% of the restaurants run by independent franchisees.

While IHOP's focus is on breakfast foods, it also offers a menu of lunch and dinner items. The company has 1,841 locations in the Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Guatemala), the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar), South Asia (India and Pakistan), and Southeast Asia (Philippines), including 161 that are owned by area licensees and 1,680 that are franchised. While many of its locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the chain's minimum operating hours are 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljacobskitchen.com/the-hamburger-joints/ihop-burgers-are-great.html|date=June 8, 2019|title=Viva La Difference!|website=www.aljacobskitchen.com|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024225233/http://www.aljacobskitchen.com/the-hamburger-joints/ihop-burgers-are-great.html|url-status=dead}}

History

File:Downtown Portland Ore International House of Pancakes in 1983.jpg, in 1983, with the older look and "International House of Pancakes" signage]]

Jerry Lapin, Al Lapin, and Albert Kallis founded International House of Pancakes in the Los Angeles, California, area in 1958 with the help of Sherwood Rosenberg and William Kaye. The first restaurant opened on July 16, 1958, at 4301 W. Riverside Drive in Burbank, California. The second and third locations at 8555 Vesper Avenue in Panorama City, California, and 3625 Stocker Avenue in Baldwin Hills, California, (a former Brown Derby restaurant) are still open for business.{{cite news | title=Restaurant Biz Booms Like Push-Button Thunderstorm |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Winchell|first=Joan|date=September 10, 1959}}{{cite news | title=From Our House to Your House: Good Eating |work=Life magazine|date=October 27, 1967}}

The first prototype design for IHOP building was a steep-roofed A-frame building with a distinctive blue roof; the last such location to be built was completed in 1979. While most IHOP locations no longer use the A-frame buildings, several still exist around the U.S.

In 1973, the chain's name was shortened to "IHOP" for marketing purposes,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/national/where-did-ihop-get-its-original-name-restaurant-announces-name-change/zl5XAiOqL1CV2x788DFNOP/|title=Where did IHOP get its original name? Restaurant announces name change|last=Pirani|first=Fiza|date=June 11, 2019|work=AJC|access-date=July 12, 2019|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929031749/https://www.ajc.com/news/national/where-did-ihop-get-its-original-name-restaurant-announces-name-change/zl5XAiOqL1CV2x788DFNOP/|url-status=live}} using a cartoon kangaroo in its commercials at the time, and since then the full name and acronym have been officially interchangeable.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

In 1976, International Industries was renamed to IHOP, Inc., and IHOP Corporation was founded as a new holding firm for IHOP, Love's Wood Pit Barbecue, and Original House of Pies (which was sold shortly afterwards). In 1979, it was purchased by Wienerwald Holding, the owners of Wienerwald and Lum's chains. Wienerwald later declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982, and sold IHOP Corp in 1983 to SVIDO, who hadn't been involved in the restaurant business previously.

The breakfast food menu later expanded (especially in the 1980s) to include standard lunch and dinner items found in similar restaurant chains such as Sambo's and Denny's. In 1976, at the same time as reorganization, International Industries became IHOP. In December 2019, IHOP announced plans to launch a chain of fast casual breakfast restaurants called Flip'd.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/11/business/ihop-flipd-fast-casual-breakfast/index.html |last=Wiener-Bronner |first=Danielle |date=December 11, 2019 |title=IHOP is opening a fast casual restaurant called 'Flip'd' |publisher=CNN |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212184147/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/11/business/ihop-flipd-fast-casual-breakfast/index.html |url-status=live }}

=Acquisition of Applebee's=

On July 16, 2007, IHOP Corporation announced a plan to acquire the bar-and-grill chain Applebee's in an all-cash transaction, valued at approximately US$2.1 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19786487|title=IHOP to acquire Applebee's for $1.9 billion|date=July 16, 2007|publisher=NBC News|access-date=July 12, 2019|archive-date=September 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905040536/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19786487/ns/business-us_business/t/ihop-acquire-applebees-billion|url-status=live}} In the arrangement, Applebee's stock holders would receive $25.50 a share. IHOP stated it would franchise most of Applebee's 500 company-owned facilities. Applebee's had 1,943 restaurants worldwide at the time, including those operated by franchisees.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ihop-to-buy-applebees-for-19b/|title=IHOP To Buy Applebee's For $1.9B|first=Lloyd|last=Vries|publisher=CBS News|access-date=July 5, 2019|date=July 16, 2007|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705215352/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ihop-to-buy-applebees-for-19b/|url-status=live}}

Applebee's shareholders approved the acquisition with a 70% vote. A number of executives from Applebee's voted against the offer. The chain's largest individual shareholder, Applebee's director Burton "Skip" Sack, called the IHOP offer unfair to its shareholders and stated he planned to sue IHOP for a higher price to be paid to him. As part of the purchase, a brand remarketing scheme and revitalization of the Applebee's image was intended.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119376561362776405|title=IHOP's Tall Order: Reviving Applebee's|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 31, 2007|first=Janet|last=Adamy|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 5, 2019|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705213522/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119376561362776405|url-status=live}} The buyout successfully closed on November 29, 2007,{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2007/11/26/daily32.html |title=IHOP completes purchase of Applebee's |work=Kansas City Business Journal |date=November 29, 2007 |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027153534/https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2007/11/26/daily32.html |url-status=live }} and the corporate entity IHOP changed its name to DineEquity on June 2, 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.nrn.com/archive/ihop-applebees-parent-be-renamed-dineequity|title=IHOP, Applebee's parent to be renamed DineEquity|work=Nations Restaurant News|date=March 28, 2008|access-date=July 5, 2019|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705214852/https://www.nrn.com/archive/ihop-applebees-parent-be-renamed-dineequity|url-status=live}}

While IHOP's focus is on breakfast, serving pancakes, waffles, French toast, and omelettes, it also offers a menu of lunch and dinner items such as sandwiches, burgers, and salads.{{cite web |title=Full Menu |url=https://www.ihop.com/en/menu |work=IHOP |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220151903/https://www.ihop.com/en/menu |url-status=live }} Some IHOP locations also feature coffee bars, where guests can order espresso drinks.{{cite web

| title = Building Coffee Culture

| website = Restaurant Business Online

| url = https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/beverage/building-coffee-culture

| access-date = 22 December 2024

}}

Locations

The company has 1,841 locations in the Americas, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Franchising agreements with M.H. Alshaya, an international restaurant-franchising firm, resulted in an agreement for Alshaya to open as many as forty IHOP locations in the Middle East, beginning in 2012. By the end of 2018, IHOP restaurants operated in six Middle Eastern countries: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.{{cite web|url=https://wqad.com/2019/06/04/we-see-what-you-did-there-ihop/|date=June 3, 2019|title=We see what you did there, IHOP®|work=WQAD-TV|access-date=July 5, 2019|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705232047/https://wqad.com/2019/06/04/we-see-what-you-did-there-ihop/|url-status=live}} In 2016, IHOP expanded into Central America, opening in Panama,{{cite web |url=https://www.fsrmagazine.com/content/dineequity-opens-first-ihop-restaurant-panama-city |language=en |date=May 24, 2016 |title=DineEquity Opens First IHOP Restaurant In Panama City |work=FSR Magazine |access-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027161634/https://www.fsrmagazine.com/content/dineequity-opens-first-ihop-restaurant-panama-city |url-status=live }} and later in 2019 into South America, opening three locations in Ecuador{{cite web |url=https://www.ecuavisa.com/articulo/noticias/nacional/527511-ihop-inauguro-tres-locales-ecuador |language=es |date=September 10, 2019 |title=IHOP inauguró tres locales en Ecuador |work=Ecuavisa |access-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922195301/https://www.ecuavisa.com/articulo/noticias/nacional/527511-ihop-inauguro-tres-locales-ecuador |url-status=live }} and one location in Peru.{{cite press release|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191216005216/en/Dine-Brands-International-Continues-Global-Expansion-with-First-IHOP%C2%AE-Opening-in-Peru|title=Dine Brands International Continues Global Expansion with First IHOP® Opening in Peru |date=December 16, 2019}}

IHOP Express' first location opened in 2011; they are a quick service version of the chain offered at locations such as airports,{{Cite news|url=http://www.nrn.com/operations/ihop-express-debuts-dallas-airport|title=IHOP Express debuts at Dallas airport|date=October 26, 2017|first=Dan|last=Orlando|work=Nation's Restaurant News|access-date=July 6, 2019|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705194208/https://www.nrn.com/operations/ihop-express-debuts-dallas-airport|url-status=live}} school campuses,{{Cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/dining-and-drinking/sdut-gaslamp-gets-ihop-express-2011nov22-htmlstory.html|title=Gaslamp gets an IHOP Express|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=June 11, 2018|date=November 22, 2011|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143544/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/dining-and-drinking/sdut-gaslamp-gets-ihop-express-2011nov22-htmlstory.html|url-status=live}} military food courts{{Cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-ihop-makes-its-way-to-san-diego-naval-base-2010dec15-story.html|title=IHOP makes its way to San Diego Naval Base|last=Weisberg|first=Lori|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=June 11, 2018|date=December 15, 2010|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140618/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-ihop-makes-its-way-to-san-diego-naval-base-2010dec15-story.html|url-status=live}} and travel centers.{{Cite news|url=http://norfolkdailynews.com/news/love-s-ihop-express-now-open-in-norfolk/article_31a69358-c78c-11e6-94a1-0785bf073f6b.html|title=Love's, IHOP Express now open in Norfolk|work=Norfolk Daily News|access-date=June 11, 2018|date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705194154/http://norfolkdailynews.com/news/love-s-ihop-express-now-open-in-norfolk/article_31a69358-c78c-11e6-94a1-0785bf073f6b.html|url-status=live}} The first standalone public location of the concept opened in downtown San Diego in 2011.

In 2019, IHOP announced plans to open a fast-casual restaurant, Flip'd by IHOP. Flip'd would include a menu serving pancake bowls, burgers, and fried chicken.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/11/ihop-is-launching-a-fast-casual-restaurant-next-year.html|title=IHOP introduces new restaurant, Flip'd by IHOP, with faster service and Pancake Bowls|last=Lucas|first=Amelia|date=2019-12-11|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211194222/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/11/ihop-is-launching-a-fast-casual-restaurant-next-year.html|url-status=live}}

A franchisee opened a hybrid Applebee's/IHOP restaurant in downtown Detroit in mid-2018.{{Cite news |last=Reindl |first=JC |date=September 19, 2017 |title=Advance peek at world's first combo IHOP/Applebee's coming to Detroit |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/2017/09/19/advance-peek-worlds-first-combo-ihop-applebees-coming-detroit/677566001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919132750/http://www.freep.com/story/money/2017/09/19/advance-peek-worlds-first-combo-ihop-applebees-coming-detroit/677566001/ |archive-date=September 19, 2017 |access-date=June 11, 2018 |work=Detroit Free Press}}{{Cite news |last=Reindl |first=JC |date=June 8, 2018 |title=World's first IHOP/Applebee's combo about to open in downtown Detroit |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/2018/06/08/ihop-applebees-combo-downtown-detroit/686187002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705194151/https://www.freep.com/story/money/2018/06/08/ihop-applebees-combo-downtown-detroit/686187002/ |archive-date=July 5, 2019 |access-date=June 11, 2018 |work=Detroit Free Press}} In March 2024, Dine Brands announced it was exploring Applebee's-IHOP dual-branded restaurants within 12–24 months, following the successful introduction of prototypes in international markets.{{Cite web |title=A combination Applebee's-IHOP? Parent company wants to bring dual-brand restaurants to the US |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/03/03/ihop-applebees-combination-restaurants-us/72831601007/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-29 |title=Co-branded IHOP/Applebee's restaurants may come to the U.S. soon |url=https://www.nrn.com/franchising/co-branded-ihopapplebee-s-restaurants-may-come-us-soon |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Nation's Restaurant News |language=en}}

Marketing

File:International House of Pancakes full logo.jpg

File:IHOP Restaurant logo.svg

In June 2015, IHOP introduced an updated logo, removing its decorative elements and adding a curved line under the "O" and "P" letters to resemble a smiley face. The company said that the previous logo looked too much like a frown.{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcodesign.com/3046964/ihops-new-logo-smiles-at-you-like-a-deranged-clown|title=IHOP's New Logo Smiles At You! (Like A Deranged Clown)|date=June 3, 2015|last=Wilson|first=Mark|work=Fast Company|access-date=July 7, 2019|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135932/https://www.fastcodesign.com/3046964/ihops-new-logo-smiles-at-you-like-a-deranged-clown|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Hackett |first=Robert |date=June 2, 2015 |title=Why IHOP Changed its Logo for the First Time in Decades |work=Fortune |url=http://www.fortune.com/2015/06/02/ihop-logo/ |access-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225214348/https://fortune.com/2015/06/02/ihop-logo/ |url-status=live }}

In June 2018, an IHOP marketing campaign announced they would "flip" their name to "IHOb"; it was ultimately revealed to be a marketing campaign for its hamburgers, in an effort to address perceptions that IHOP was still primarily oriented towards breakfast food. The tease of the campaign led to speculation via social media regarding the intent of the change.{{Cite news|url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/b-ihob-food-ihop-sold-burgers/313800/|title=That 'b' in 'IHOb' stands for a dish that IHOP already sold|date=June 11, 2018|first=Jessica|last=Wohl|work=Ad Age|access-date=June 11, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612035110/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/b-ihob-food-ihop-sold-burgers/313800/|url-status=live}} IHOP parodied the campaign the following year to promote a new hamburger that includes a pancake as an ingredient, jokingly stating that they would refer to their burgers as "pancakes" because people wanted IHOP to "stick to pancakes".{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/06/03/ihop-ihob-calls-its-new-burgers-pancakes/1303761001/|title=IHOP is changing names and putting a pancake in the middle of a burger|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=2019-07-15|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716073213/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/06/03/ihop-ihob-calls-its-new-burgers-pancakes/1303761001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/ihop-is-talking-about-its-burgers-again-but-this-time-theyre-actually-pancakes/|title=Haters Wanted IHOP to Stick to Pancakes. So Now It's Just Calling Its Burgers 'Pancakes'|website=Adweek|date=June 3, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-15|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715002844/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/ihop-is-talking-about-its-burgers-again-but-this-time-theyre-actually-pancakes/|url-status=live}}

Lawsuit

In early September 2010, IHOP filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles against International House of Prayer and six other defendants, alleging trademark dilution and infringement.{{cite web|title=Ihop IP, LLC v. International House of P... - 2:10-cv-06622 California Central District Court|url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/UFJRWOI/Ihop_IP_LLC_v_International_House_of_Prayer__cacdce-10-06622__0001.0.pdf|date=September 3, 2010|work=PacerMonitor|access-date=July 7, 2019|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201190206/https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/UFJRWOI/Ihop_IP_LLC_v_International_House_of_Prayer__cacdce-10-06622__0001.0.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://consumerist.com/2010/09/15/ihop-sues-ihop-over-ihop-trademark/|last=Morran|first=Chris|date=September 15, 2010|title=IHOP Sues IHOP Over IHOP Trademark|work=Consumerist|access-date=July 7, 2019|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021104903/https://consumerist.com/2010/09/15/ihop-sues-ihop-over-ihop-trademark/|url-status=live}} The lawsuit was dropped on December 21, 2010, with the dispute resolved out of court.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2010-12-29-tn-gnp-ihop-20101229-story.html|last=Kisliuk|first=Bill|date=December 29, 2010|title=Pancake versus prayer dropped|work=Los Angeles Times, Glendale News-Press|access-date=July 7, 2019|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201190205/https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2010-12-29-tn-gnp-ihop-20101229-story.html|url-status=live}}