IHOP to Enter the Asia Pacific Market with the Opening of First IHOP Restaurant in the Philippines
DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood
Grill & Bar® and IHOP® Restaurants, today
announced that IHOP, the iconic brand famous the world over for its
pancakes, omelettes and breakfast items as well as delicious lunch and
dinner choices, has announced it is expanding into the Asia Pacific
region for the first time via a franchise relationship with InterDine
Corp. that will result in an IHOP restaurant opening in the Philippines
later this month.
Under the terms of the agreement, InterDine Corp. will open a total of
20 IHOP restaurants in the Philippines over the next five years, with
the opportunity to open others in Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore
and Vietnam. InterDine Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Global
Restaurant Concepts, Inc. which has already successfully brought several
other popular U.S. restaurant brands to the region.
“Extending the unique IHOP experience into the Asia Pacific region has
long been part of our vision,” said Julia Stewart, Chairman and CEO of
DineEquity, Inc. “But the key to achieving that goal was finding the
right franchisee who had the necessary experience in the area and who
shared the same commitment to excellence and putting our guests first
that IHOP’s reputation has been built on. With InterDine Corp., and
their parent company Global Restaurant Concepts, Inc., we have found the
perfect fit to bring our restaurants to this new region and extend our
global brand.”
“We are absolutely thrilled about bringing IHOP to the Philippines and
South East Asia,” said Archie Rodriguez, CEO and President, Global
Restaurant Concepts, Inc. “IHOP is an iconic brand, and it truly echoes
wonderful memories for people who have experienced dining there before.
We are eager to share the same experience with families and diners in
the region. We are excited to spread happiness!”
John Merkin, Vice President of Operations and International,
International House of Pancakes, LLC., added, “Finding a partner with
the operational capability to be able to implement and maintain the high
standards that we, and our guests, demand was paramount in choosing the
franchisee who would enable us to bring the brand to the Asia Pacific
marketplace. InterDine Corp. and Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. bring
the necessary resources and experience as well as a proven record of
success in establishing and running respected American restaurant brands
in this region. With them as our franchisee, there are more than 100
million people in the Philippines who are about to discover why IHOP is
famous the world over for great food and great service.”
The new IHOP will be located in the W Global Center, Fort Bonifacio,
Global City, Taguig, on the ground floor of a newly constructed mid-rise
building overlooking a park. This high traffic, highly visible area sees
more than 5,000 runners a day pass by this building as part of a morning
and late afternoon jogging path, making it a prime location. Global City
is fast becoming a top lifestyle, retail and dining hub in Metro Manila.
This five-year expansion is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in the
region. As part of the agreement, Interdine is opening a hospitality
training school at their headquarters to insure that guests receive the
excellent level of service they have come to expect from IHOP
restaurants.
ABOUT DINEEQUITY, INC.
Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc., through its
subsidiaries, franchises and operates more than 3,500 restaurants under
the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. For more
information on DineEquity, visit the Company's Web site located at www.dineequity.com.
ABOUT IHOP
For 54 years, IHOP has been a leader and expert in all things breakfast
and a leader in family dining. The chain is highly competitive in its
menu offering, serving 65 different signature, made-from-scratch
breakfast options as well as a range of meals under 600 calories. Beyond
offering “everything you love about breakfast,” IHOP has a wide
selection of popular lunch and dinner items, as well. IHOP offers its
guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly
service. As of September 30, 2012, there were 1,565 IHOPs in 50 states
and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico,
Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Under the licensed name IHOP at HOME® consumers can also enjoy a line of
premium breakfast products available at leading retailers. IHOP
restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based
International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International
House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc.
(NYSE: DIN) www.IHOP.com
ABOUT INTERDINE
Interdine is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Restaurant Concepts,
the master license developer and operator of several major U.S.
restaurant brands for the Philippines.