DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), parent company of Applebee's Neighborhood
Grill & Bar® and IHOP® Restaurants, today
announced that they have 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 December 14.
The opening represents the fifth restaurant for the iconic IHOP brand in
the region since 2012 under its multi-franchise agreement with M.H.
Alshaya Co. (“Alshaya”), a leading 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.
The new restaurant features IHOP restaurant’s world famous menu of
pancakes, waffles, omelettes and breakfast favorites, as well as a full
complement of delicious lunch and dinner items and will be open Saturday
through Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. and on Thursday and Friday
from 6:30 a.m. until 2 a.m.
“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.”
Mohammed Alshaya, Executive Chairman, M.H. Alshaya Co., commented: “We
have already had good success with our IHOP restaurant locations and the
brand’s debut in KSA supports our objective of introducing
internationally-recognized brands to new customers in new markets across
the Middle East. We have every confidence that we will find the same
level of excitement and demand from our guests in KSA that we have
experienced in other markets in the region.”
“Our ultimate goal in expanding IHOP restaurants throughout the world
has always been to ensure they provide the high level of excellence that
has built our brand into a truly international one,” said Daniel del
Olmo, president, international, DineEquity, Inc. “Alshaya has done a
tremendous job in establishing our presence in this key region,
continuing to expand our locations while making sure every restaurant is
providing our guests with a great IHOP experience.”
IHOP restaurants feature high-quality food and beverage items served in
a friendly, warm and comfortable ambience. This popular restaurant,
which is designed for individual and family dining, delivers a uniquely
iconic American-style dining experience. The sumptuous menu that
includes an extensive array of items ranges from signature pancakes to a
wide variety of omelettes, French toast and waffles, crepes, sandwiches
and burgers, appetizers, soups, salads and desserts.
ABOUT DINEEQUITY, INC.
Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc., through its
subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s
Neighborhood Grill & Bar® and IHOP® brands. With more than 3,600
restaurants combined in 19 countries, over 400 franchisees and
approximately 200,000 team members (including franchisee and
company-operated restaurant employees), DineEquity is one of the largest
full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on
DineEquity, visit the Company's Web site located at www.dineequity.com.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES, LLC
For over 55 years, International House of Pancakes, LLC 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-to-order breakfast options as well as a range
of meals under 600 calories. Beyond offering “everything you love about
breakfast,®” IHOP® restaurants have a wide selection of
popular lunch and dinner items, as well. IHOP restaurants offer guests
an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly
service. As of September 2013, there were 1,602 IHOP restaurants in 50
states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, Guatemala,
Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the Philippines
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). For more information or to find an IHOP
restaurant near you, please visit www.IHOP.com.
Follow IHOP on Facebook
and Twitter.
ABOUT M.H. ALSHAYA CO.
M.H. Alshaya Co. is a leading international franchise operator for over
70 of the world’s most recognized retail brands, including Starbucks,
H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, American Eagle Outfitters, Pottery Barn,
P.F. Chang’s and Boots. The company operates over 2,500 stores across 8
divisions: Fashion & Footwear, Health & Beauty, Food Service, Optics,
Pharmacy, Office Supplies, Home Furnishings and Leisure & Entertainment.
Alshaya’s stores can currently be found in 19 markets across the Middle
East and North Africa, Russia, Turkey and Europe and the company employs
more than 36,000 people from over 110 nationalities. Alshaya has
established itself as the industry leader across these territories
through a combination of local market understanding and a comprehensive
commitment to customer service. Growth in each of its operating
divisions and brands is supported by continuous investment in talent and
infrastructure. It applies best practices in retail operations,
merchandising, marketing, information technology, logistics, real
estate, human resources and financial controls. M.H. Alshaya Co. is the
retail business of the Alshaya group of companies, which was founded in
Kuwait in 1890 and today represents one of the most dynamic businesses
in the Middle East. In addition to its retail operations, Alshaya is
active in a number of other sectors including real estate, automotive,
hotels, trading and investments. Learn more about the company at www.alshaya.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2013