EDMONTON — Glendale, Calif.-based DineEquity, Inc. is expanding its IHOP (International House of Pancakes) brand with new restaurants in Edmonton, Calgary and Medicine Hat, Alta., according to the Edmonton Journal.
IHOP opened its second Edmonton location Sept. 3 and another is expected to open next September.
“We would like to see Edmonton with at least four restaurants and Calgary with at least four restaurants,” John Sikking, Alberta franchisee, told the Journal. “We’re opening in Medicine Hat, and we’d like to get to Red Deer soon also.”
Daniel del Olmo, president of DineEquity’s International Division, said the company has hired a dedicated Canadian developer, based in Toronto, to focus on opening new locations for the company’s IHOP and Applebee’s brands. Edmonton’s previous Applebee’s restaurants closed because del Olmo said they didn’t meet expectations. [edmontonjournal.com]
