DineEquity, Inc. announced plans Wednesday for a new location in Detroit that will for the first time leverage both its category leading brands, IHOP restaurants and Applebee’s Grill and Bar in one restaurant destination to be at Millender Center in Detroit.
DineEquity, Inc. is the franchisor of Applebee’s Grill & Bar and IHOP Restaurants.
This innovative concept, which brings together IHOP and Applebee’s, will be owned and operated by Applebee’s franchisee TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants (TSFR), a Livonia, Michigan-based family-owned restaurant group with an expansive portfolio of casual dining, quick service, and family dining restaurants throughout the state.
The location will incorporate the classic Applebee’s menu that has made it America’s favorite neighborhood grill and bar for over three and a half decades along with many of IHOP Restaurant’s freshly made signature breakfast foods and beverages, including the brand’s world-famous buttermilk pancakes, that have been served all day, every day for nearly 60 years.
“With its creation in 2007, DineEquity brought together two of America’s most iconic brands, Applebee’s and IHOP under one franchisor—and now, 10 years later, we are equally excited to bring these two brands together for the first time under one roof,” says Julia Stewart, chairman and CEO of DineEquity, Inc. “We are grateful to our franchisee Mark Schostak and everyone at TSFR for leading this new concept which represents a landmark in the history of DineEquity and both our brands.”
“As we continue to lead the way in the restaurant industry, TSFR is proud to expand our portfolio by uniquely combining two nationally recognized and family-oriented brands into one hybrid restaurant in the City of Detroit,” says Schostak. “This expansion is a testament to our commitment to the City of Detroit and Michigan, and it’s aligned with our strategic growth plan. Applebee’s is built on the concept of being a neighborhood grill and bar, which is the perfect complement to the welcoming, family-friendly environment IHOP has delivered for nearly 60 years. We look forward to bringing more jobs to our community and providing an elevated dining experience to all restaurant guests.”
TSFR hopes to begin construction in April 2017, pending municipal approvals, with the grand opening slated for late 2017. The approximately 11,939-square-foot, 300-seat restaurant is expected to employ more than 100 people and will be TSFR’s second Applebee’s in the City of Detroit and the first IHOP restaurant in the company’s portfolio.
“Collaborating with TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants to bring both Applebee’s and IHOP to the GMRENCEN’s expansive dining portfolio demonstrates our commitment to providing a diverse selection of meal options to suit building visitors, office workers and Detroit residents’ needs,” says Claudia Killeen, manager of Renaissance Center development, General Motors Company. “This offers more selections for people as they can find breakfast, lunch and dinner at a single location when they visit, work or stay in Detroit’s most iconic building.”
TSFR opened the City of Detroit’s first Applebee’s in 2015, making it the first national casual dining restaurant outside the city’s central business district and the company’s 66th Applebee’s restaurant.
