DineEquity plans Mideast Applebee's, IHOP upgrades, expansions

Restaurant industry leader DineEquity, a franchisor of Applebee's and IHOP restaurants, said last week that the company plans to focus on creative positioning, new ads, remodeling projects for restaurants, menu innovations and efforts to improve service.

Additionally, DineEquity plans to open 24 new Applebee's and 17 new IHOP locations in the Middle East region over the next few years.

“As both our brands continue their successful expansion internationally, we felt it was a perfect time to use the results of our international consumer research study — the largest in our company’s history — to take what we've learned from our guests about what they truly love about Applebee’s and IHOP, and bring them to life in our international locations," Daniel del Olmo, president-international at DineEquity, said. “Together with our franchise partners around the world, we are bringing these new brand evolutions from concept to reality — and so far, our guests’ reactions have been extremely encouraging and gratifying.”

The new restaurants will feature creative, innovative designs.

“We are delighted with the success of both brands and the warm reception we have received from our guests throughout the Middle East, “ del Olmo said.

DineEquity has approximately 3,600 restaurants worldwide.

“We are seeing a significant increase in interest in both our brands from existing franchise partners, as well as qualified prospective franchise partners to open new restaurants in countries where we currently have locations, as well as new countries, and we are specifically looking to increase our presence throughout the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim and Latin America,” del Olmo said.