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Discover the History of IHOP

65 years of smiles. And counting.

International House of Pancakes® began making people smile in 1958 when it opened its doors in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Fifteen years later, a new marketing campaign introduced the acronym "IHOP", and since then it’s been the name people know as the place they can enjoy their favorite breakfast experience—any time of day.

Throughout our 65-year history, we’ve celebrated more than 1,650 restaurant openings across the country, and around the world. And we've introduced iconic favorites – like our Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity® – that people have grown up with, and now enjoy with their own families, making new memories.

  • Ihop History 1958
    1958
    Founders Al and Jerry Lapin, along with early investors Al and Trudy Kallis, open the first International House of Pancakes in the Los Angeles suburb of Toluca Lake, California.
  • 1960
    Company begins to expand through franchising.
  • 1961
    Company is publicly traded under the name International House of Pancakes.
  • 1963
    Company adopts the name International Industries after it acquires numerous franchised brands, which it controls throughout the 60s.
  • 1973
    A marketing program introduces the acronym “IHOP” for the first time.
  • Ihop History House 1979
    1979
    The last iconic A-frame IHOP is built.
  • 1985
    The Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity® is introduced, and guests across the country have fun pronouncing the one-of-a-kind breakfast.
  • 1991
    IHOP moves headquarters to Glendale, CA, and becomes. publicly traded on NASDAQ as IHP.
  • 500th IHOP restaurant
    1992
    500th IHOP restaurant opens.
  • 1993
    Average sales per IHOP restaurant exceeds $1 million.
  • 1998
    For the first time, system-wide sales of IHOP reach $1 billion.
  • 1998
    IHOP begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “IHP.”
  • 2001
    The 1,000th IHOP opens in Layton, Utah.
  • Stuffed French Toast
    2003
    The award-winning “Come hungry. Leave happy.” advertising campaign launches and IHOP introduces our popular Stuffed French Toast.
  • 2006
    New ICON building prototype is introduced as the look for IHOP in the new millennium.
  • 2007Careers
    2007
    IHOP Corp. successfully completes the acquisition of Applebee’s International, Inc.
  • 2008
    IHOP Celebrates 50! From our humble beginnings in Toluca Lake, California we have become one of America’s favorite restaurants, with over 1,400 locations coast to coast.
  • 2010
    Introduces SIMPLE & FIT menu, with many items under 600 calories plus tips to meet nutrition goals located throughout the menu.
  • 2011PancakeRev
    2011
    IHOP celebrates its sixth National Pancake Day®, raising $8 million for charity over those 6 years.
  • 2012
    IHOP Celebrates 50! From our humble beginnings in Toluca Lake, California we have become one of America’s favorite restaurants, with over 1,400 locations coast to coast.
  • 2014
    IHOP continues its growth as a truly International House of Pancakes with more than 70 locations in Bahrain, Canada, Dubai (UAE), Guatemala, Kuwait, Mexico, The Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • 2015
    IHOP launches a new logo, giving guests one more reason to smile.
  • 2017
    IHOP launches online ordering platform IHOP ‘N Go.
  • 2018
    IHOP celebrates 60 years. IHOP expands to Asia and South East Asia.
  • 2019
    IHOP introduces gluten-friendly pancake offerings.
  • 2020
    IHOP introduces IHOPPY Hour.
  • 2021
    Wins Nation’s Restaurant News’ Menu Masters for Burritos and Bowls.
  • 2022
    Launches The International Bank of Pancakes℠, our first loyalty program.
  • 2023
    Our 65th year!
  • 2023
    GM cereal and Kraft/ Heinz Coffee licensing partnerships.
  • 2024
    Launches community platform Stacking Up Joy.