History of IHOP in Timeline

IHOP is an American multinational restaurant chain specializing in breakfast foods. Owned by Dine Brands Global (formed after IHOP acquired Applebee's), the company operates primarily on a franchise model, with independent franchisees running 99% of its restaurants.

July 16, 1958: IHOP Founded

Jerry Lapin, Al Lapin, and Albert Kallis established the International House of Pancakes with the help of Sherwood Rosenberg and William Kaye on July 16, 1958. The first IHOP opened its doors in Burbank, California.

1973: Name Shortened to "IHOP"

In 1973, the International House of Pancakes adopted the acronym "IHOP" as its official and shortened name for marketing purposes.

1976: International Industries Becomes IHOP

Concurrent with a reorganization effort, International Industries underwent a name change to IHOP in 1976.

1979: Last A-Frame Building

The original A-frame building design for IHOP, characterized by its steep roof and distinctive blue roof, reached the end of its era in 1979 with the completion of the last such structure.

July 16, 2007: IHOP Announces Plans to Acquire Applebee's

IHOP Corporation made a significant announcement on July 16, 2007, unveiling its plan to acquire the bar-and-grill chain Applebee's for approximately US$2.1 billion in cash.

November 29, 2007: Applebee's Acquisition Complete

On November 29, 2007, the acquisition of Applebee's by IHOP Corporation was finalized.

June 2, 2008: IHOP Becomes DineEquity

Following the successful acquisition of Applebee's, IHOP Corporation underwent a name change to DineEquity on June 2, 2008.

September 2010: IHOP Sues International House of Prayer

In early September 2010, IHOP initiated legal action against International House of Prayer and six other defendants by filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The lawsuit centered around claims of trademark dilution and infringement.

December 21, 2010: IHOP and International House of Prayer Settle Lawsuit

A legal dispute between IHOP and International House of Prayer, which began in early September 2010, was resolved out of court on December 21, 2010. IHOP had filed a lawsuit alleging trademark dilution and infringement.

2011: First IHOP Express Location Opens

The year 2011 saw the launch of IHOP Express, a quick-service adaptation of the popular restaurant chain. This new concept aimed to cater to the needs of customers in locations such as airports, school campuses, military food courts, and travel centers.

2012: IHOP Expands to Middle East

IHOP's international expansion took a significant step forward in 2012 with the signing of franchising agreements with M.H. Alshaya, an international restaurant-franchising firm. These agreements paved the way for the opening of IHOP locations in the Middle East, starting with Kuwait.

June 2015: IHOP Updates Logo

In June 2015, IHOP unveiled a revamped logo as part of its brand refresh. The updated design did away with decorative elements and introduced a curved line beneath the "O" and "P" letters, subtly creating the appearance of a smiley face.

2016: IHOP Expands to Central America

IHOP's global footprint expanded further in 2016 with its entry into Central America, marked by the opening of its first restaurant in Panama.

June 2018: IHOP "Flips" Name to "IHOb" in Marketing Campaign

June 2018 saw IHOP launch a noteworthy marketing campaign that involved temporarily changing its name to "IHOb." This attention-grabbing tactic sparked widespread speculation on social media about the company's intentions and the meaning behind the change.

2018: IHOP Operating in Six Middle Eastern Countries

By the close of 2018, IHOP had established its presence in six countries across the Middle East: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.

2018: Hybrid Applebee's/IHOP Restaurant Opens

In a novel move, a franchisee opened a hybrid restaurant in downtown Detroit, combining elements of both Applebee's and IHOP, in mid-2018.

December 2019: Flip'd by IHOP Announced

IHOP announced plans in December 2019 to venture into the fast-casual dining scene with "Flip'd by IHOP," a new chain offering a menu featuring pancake bowls, burgers, and fried chicken.

2019: Flip'd by IHOP Announced

IHOP made an announcement in 2019 outlining its plan to establish a new fast-casual dining concept called "Flip'd by IHOP." This new venture would feature a menu that included pancake bowls, burgers, and fried chicken.

2019: IHOP Expands to South America

In 2019, IHOP ventured into the South American market, establishing its presence with the opening of three restaurants in Ecuador and one in Peru.

March 2024: Dine Brands Explores Dual-Branded Restaurants

Dine Brands revealed in March 2024 its exploration of the possibility of dual-branded restaurants featuring both Applebee's and IHOP, with a projected timeline of 12 to 24 months. This strategic move followed the successful implementation of prototype dual-branded locations in international markets.