Ihop, the US-based restaurant chains specialising in pancakes and breakfast foods, is expanding into the Asia Pacific region for the first time.
It has signed a franchise relationship with Interdine that will result in the first Ihop restaurant opening in the Philippines later this month.
Interdine, a subsidiary of Global Restaurant Concepts, will open 20 Ihop restaurants in the Philippines over the next five years, with the opportunity to open more in Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
“Extending the unique Ihop experience into the Asia Pacific region has long been part of our vision,” said Julia Stewart, chairman and CEO of DineEquity, parent company of Ihop.
“With Interdine and their parent company Global Restaurant Concepts, we have found the perfect fit to bring our restaurants to this new region and extend our global brand,” said Stewart.
The first Ihop will be located in the W Global Center, Fort Bonifacio, Global City in Taguig. The five-year rollout plan is expected to create more than 1000 jobs.
As part of the agreement, Interdine will open a hospitality training school at its headquarters to ensure guests receive consistent standards of service across all restaurants.
Ihop serves 65 different signature, “made-from-scratch” breakfast options as well as wide selection of lunch and dinner items. It was previously known as International House of Pancakes.
