IHOP/Applebee’s

About IHOP/Applebee’s

IHOP and Applebee’s are established American restaurant brands owned by Dine Brands. IHOP began in 1958, founded by Jerry Lapin, Al Lapin and Albert Kallis, while Applebee’s was founded in 1980 by Bill and T. J. Palmer. IHOP acquired Applebee’s in 2007, bringing two complementary dining concepts into one group. Their dual-branded format combines IHOP’s pancakes and breakfast-led menu with Applebee’s grills and casual dining offer, serving customers from breakfast through late evening. The concept has been tested in Canada, the UAE and Kuwait, with US development also under way. Dine Brands showcased the format to prospective UK partners in London in 2024 and is seeking experienced master franchisees or area developers. Each brand retains its identity within the restaurant, while shared facilities and a daypart-led menu are designed to broaden appeal and improve the economics of a single location.

Why franchise with IHOP/Applebee’s

• ✓Combine two established American restaurant brands to serve guests from breakfast through late evening.
• ✓Offer IHOP pancakes alongside Applebee’s grills and casual dining favourites under one roof.
• ✓Explore master franchise or area development opportunities for a potential UK market launch.
• ✓Build on dual-branded restaurant experience in Canada, the UAE, Kuwait and the United States.
• ✓Use complementary menus and shared facilities to reach different customers throughout the day.
• ✓Develop multiple locations with a group seeking experienced, well-capitalised restaurant operators.

Investment breakdown

Minimum investment	$900,000
Maximum investment	$3,500,000
Management service fee	On request
Marketing contribution	On request
Agreement term	On request

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

The dual-brand format brings IHOP and Applebee’s together in one restaurant, with a shared entrance and distinct seating areas for each concept. Locations must support breakfast-to-late-night trading, food preparation and customer circulation. Dine Brands seeks development partners with strong site-selection expertise. The supplied profile gives no minimum floor area, frontage, parking, extraction or lease specifications for UK properties; these require direct confirmation.

Training and support

Dine Brands seeks experienced international operators able to manage site selection, restaurant operations, marketing and customer service across multiple units. The dual-brand format uses a coordinated menu organised by daypart and shared restaurant facilities. The profile does not specify an initial training period, opening support schedule, operating manuals or ongoing field support for UK partners. Prospective master franchisees should request the full development and support package.

Operational requirements

The dual-brand restaurant combines IHOP’s breakfast and pancake offer with Applebee’s casual dining menu, serving customers across multiple dayparts. A shared entrance leads to separate branded seating zones, while the menu is organised to support efficient service. Partners are expected to have the capacity to develop and operate multiple sites and oversee staffing, customer service, marketing and site performance. UK staffing, hours and equipment specifications are not disclosed.

Experience required

Dine Brands is seeking well-capitalised master franchisees or area developers with the ability and ambition to operate multiple restaurants. Candidates should bring expertise in site selection, restaurant operations, marketing and customer service, together with adequate liquidity for start-up and build-out. The supplied profile states a net-worth requirement of more than £1 million per restaurant. Multi-unit experience is relevant to the proposed UK opportunity.

Territory availability

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