GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2012--
DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of IHOP Restaurants and
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, today announced the opening of the
first IHOP restaurant in the Middle East, an IHOP in The Mall of the
Emirates, in the Al Barsha district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The first IHOP restaurant in the Middle East, in the Al Barsha district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has a new, enhanced ambience that features the brand's latest international design and is set to accommodate 225 guests. (Photo: Business Wire)
The opening marks the first of a 40-restaurant development agreement
between IHOP and M.H. Alshaya Company for restaurants in Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain
and Egypt. As a leading international retail franchise business, Alshaya
operates over 2,200 stores across 7 divisions: Fashion & Footwear,
Health & Beauty, Food Service, Optics, Pharmacy, Office Supplies and
Home Furnishings. 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 28,000 people from over 90 nationalities.
“This marks a major milestone in IHOP’s international development
strategy and we are delighted to make the IHOP experience available to
guests in the Middle East,” said John Merkin, IHOP VP of Development and
International. “In this venture, we are proud to partner with one of the
premier franchisees of international brands in the Middle East. Together
we plan to expand the IHOP brand to a new continent and provide our
signature menu to an entirely new set of guests and their families.”
“IHOP has international recognition and appeal and we are delighted to
welcome it to the Middle East with this prime location at Dubai’s Mall
of the Emirates,” said Duncan Garrood, President of Alshaya’s Food
division. “We look forward to expanding IHOP across the region and
working in partnership with the brand to introduce a growing number of
customers to the great quality and value that IHOP represents.”
The restaurant features the brand’s latest international designs, will
seat 225 guests and will be open 7 days per week. With the popularity of
breakfast growing in the region, this newest IHOP menu offers many of
the same traditional favorites as U.S. locations, including traditional
breakfast pancake/egg/meat combinations, hearty omelets and signature
pancakes. All meats at IHOP in Dubai will feature Halal-certified turkey
hams, veal sausages and beef bacon.
Dubai’s first IHOP has a prime location in the Mall of Emirates, one of
the largest shopping malls in the Middle East drawing over 31 million
visitors each year. The newest IHOP is adjacent to the world’s biggest
man made indoor ski slope.
The Dubai opening marks the first IHOP expansion into the Middle East.
Other international IHOP restaurants locations include Canada,
Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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.
ABOUT IHOP
For 54 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world
famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items
that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers its guests an
affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service.
As of June 30, 2012, there were 1,557 IHOPs in 50 states and the
District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto
Rico 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).
ABOUT M.H. ALSHAYA COMPANY
M.H. Alshaya Co. is a leading international franchise operator for over
55 of the world’s most recognised retail brands, including Starbucks,
H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, American Eagle Outfitters, Pottery Barn,
P.F. Chang’s, Office Depot and Boots. The company operates over 2,200
stores across 7 divisions: Fashion & Footwear, Health & Beauty, Food
Service, Optics, Pharmacy, Office Supplies and Home Furnishings.
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 28,000 people from over 90 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.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50369607&lang=en
Source: IHOP
DineEquity, Inc.
Becky Madeira
Executive Director, Corporate
Communications
818-637-3629
