Applebee’s, IHOP to open first combo restaurant in US

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(WGN-TV) — It’s a match made in menu heaven. Applebee’s and IHOP are joining forces for one location that will house both restaurants. Dine Brands, which owns both restaurant chains, announced this week it will open the “Dual-branded” location in Seguin, Texas, in the first quarter of next year.

It’s the latest in a trend of major companies combining two of their brands into one location — think of KFC-Taco Bell or Pizza Hut-Buffalo Wild Wings.

The move comes as Dine Brands announced Wednesday that its third quarter financials were down from this time last year.

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Applebee’s, IHOP to open first combo restaurant in US
Rendering of Applebee’s and IHOP combination location to be opened in Seguin, Texas (Courtesy of Dine Brands Global, Inc.)

“During the third quarter, we continued to experience consumer pullback and the pressures of a highly promotional operating environment. We know we need to do more in the near term to drive traffic and get back to better top-line performance,” said John Peyton, Dine Brands Global, Inc. CEO.

Dine Brands says its Q3 revenues were $195 million versus $202.6 million at the same time last year, which the company attributes to a variety of factors, including the overall climate in casual dining restaurants — which has been in flux for several years.

The new “Frankenstein” restaurant will replace an IHOP located at 2777 N. Highway 123 Bypass in Seguin, which is about 40 minutes from San Antonio, the company says.

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Applebee’s, IHOP to open first combo restaurant in US
Rendering of Applebee’s and IHOP combination location to be opened in Seguin, Texas (Courtesy of Dine Brands Global, Inc.)

In recent years, combination stores have become a less risky way for companies to expand their brands, since they have wider potential for customers.

“With two brands under one roof, it allows IHOP to shine in the morning and Applebee’s to thrive in afternoons and evenings,” said Peyton in the statement. “The menu leverages each brand’s unique offerings to maximize dayparts and provide more choices, variety, and value to guests.”

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Restaurant locations aren’t the only places combining into one place. Combination stores include T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods and Family Dollar-Dollar Tree combo stores.

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