TravelCenters of America Inc. has entered into a franchise development agreement with IHOP Restaurants, a subsidiary of Dine Brands Global Inc., to open up to 94 IHOP restaurants over the next five years in TA and Petro branded locations across the U.S.
The IHOP restaurants in the portfolio will be operated by the TA Restaurant Group, a division of TravelCenters of America. Currently, there are four IHOP restaurants already in TA’s travel center network, including one that opened this week in Jackson, Ga.
Guests visiting IHOP restaurants located at TA travel centers will be able to enjoy the brand’s full menu of made-to-order items.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with TravelCenters of America to open up to almost 100 new IHOP restaurants over the next five years in TA and Petro travel centers across the U.S.,” said Jay Johns, President of IHOP. “The TA brand, a trusted hospitality leader in the industry and with consumers, shares the same values as IHOP when it comes to delivering an outstanding experience to guests on-the-go. We’re looking forward to serving the great-tasting, freshly made menu items we’re known for at breakfast, lunch and dinner, to the millions of guests who stop at TA and Petro locations each year.”
New restaurant development is one of three key strategies in IHOP’s aggressive growth plan, which also includes to-go and lunch/dinner expansion as major areas of focus. Currently there are more than 1,700 IHOP restaurants in the U.S. and another 100+ restaurants globally.
“When it comes to serving our customers, IHOP and TA's missions and cultures align,” said Barry Richards, President and Chief Operating Officer of TravelCenters of America. “Adding such a highly regarded brand like IHOP to our restaurant group shows our commitment to bringing the best possible dining options to both professional drivers while they’re away from home and to local families living in the communities we serve. An important part of our restaurant strategy is focusing on growing our partnerships with trusted brands like IHOP that appeal to broader audiences, and today’s agreement will enable us to accelerate that process. The deal with TravelCenters of America marks the single largest IHOP development deal in the brand’s 61-year history.
Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, TravelCenters of America’s more than 21,000 employees serve customers in over 260 locations in 44 states and Canada, principally under the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express brands.
Offerings include diesel and gasoline fuel, truck maintenance and repair, full-service and quick-service restaurants, car and truck parking and other services and amenities dedicated to providing great experiences for professional drivers and the general motoring public.
TravelCenters of America operates nearly 650 full-service and quick-service restaurants and 10 proprietary brands.
