News Release

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2012-- DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP Restaurants, today announced that it has completed the refranchising program initiated in 2008, successfully transitioning to a 99% franchised restaurant system.

With the closure of the deal to refranchise 39 Applebee’s company-operated restaurants in Virginia to Potomac Family Dining Group, LLC, DineEquity has completed its refranchising initiative, which has resulted in the sale of 479 restaurants since its acquisition of Applebee’s International, Inc. in November 2007.

“We are extremely excited to have reached this significant milestone by accomplishing what we set out to do when Applebee’s was acquired,” said Julia A. Stewart, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DineEquity, Inc. “We are enthusiastic about our future as a fully franchised restaurant company.”

The Company will issue revised financial guidance for fiscal 2012 in connection with its announcement of fiscal third quarter 2012 financial results.

About DineEquity, Inc.

Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc., through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,500 restaurants combined in 18 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” and other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effect of general economic conditions; the Company’s substantial indebtedness; risk of future impairment charges; the Company’s results in any given period differing from guidance provided to the public; the highly competitive nature of the restaurant business; the Company’s business strategy failing to achieve anticipated results; risks associated with the restaurant industry; shortages or interruptions in the supply or delivery of food; changing health or dietary preferences; our dependence upon our franchisees; our engagement in business in foreign markets; harm to our brands’ reputation; litigation; environmental liability; liability relating to employees; failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations; failure to effectively implement restaurant development plans; concentration of Applebee’s franchised restaurants in a limited number of franchisees; credit risk from IHOP franchisees operating under our previous business model; termination or non-renewal of franchise agreements; franchisees breaching their franchise agreements; insolvency proceedings involving franchisees; changes in the number and quality of franchisees; inability of franchisees to fund capital expenditures; third-party claims with respect to intellectual property assets; heavy dependence on information technology; failure to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable information; failure to execute on a business continuity plan; inability to attract and retain talented employees; risks associated with retail brand initiatives; failure of our internal controls; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements.

Source: DineEquity, Inc.

Investor Contact
DineEquity, Inc.
Ken Diptee, 818-637-3632
Executive Director, Investor Relations
or
Media Contact
Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Lucy Neugart and Samantha Verdile
415-618-8750