IHOP® RESTAURANTS ANNOUNCE TOP FRANCHISEES AND VENDORS FOR THE YEAR

IHOP^® RESTAURANTS ANNOUNCE TOP FRANCHISEES AND VENDORS FOR THE YEAR

Operator and Vendor Commitment to Excellence and Community Service Recognized During Annual Franchise Conference

(October 10, 2016 – Glendale, Calif.) - Before an audience of their peers from around the globe, IHOP® franchisees and vendor partners were recognized and awarded top honors by the brand for their work to help deliver an unparalleled breakfast experience to guests through exceptional leadership, collaboration, operational excellence and a commitment to our communities and charitable causes. The awards ceremony was recently held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. as part of the breakfast chain’s annual IHOP International Franchise Conference.

• Franchisee of the Year – Romulus Restaurant Group – Headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz. and led by 25-year veterans of the IHOP system Chris Milisci and Chris Sumners, Romulus Restaurant Group was named “Franchisee of the Year.” Romulus operates several restaurants throughout nine states, including, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Tennessee. The principals of Romulus and their team members earned this award by consistently supporting IHOP initiatives and showing a strong commitment to learning and development by operating numerous designated training restaurants. Sumners also serves as Chairman of the IHOP Franchise Leadership Council, an elected and at-large group that works closely with the brand to represent franchisee interests.
• International Franchisee of the Year – Rescorp Concepts S.A.P.I. de C.V. – Based in Mexico City, Mexico, Rescorp Concepts S.A.P.I. de C.V. and President Fernando Saucedo were honored with the “International Franchisee of the Year” award, which recognizes the franchise partner outside of the United States that has shown an extraordinary commitment to their business, community and brand. As an employer of more than 800 team members, Rescorp Concepts S.A.P.I. de C.V. exemplifies a year-round dedication to the brand’s culture, history and devotion to philanthropic causes.
• Vendor Partner of the Year – Michael Foods – Minnetonka, Minn.-based Michael Foods was recognized as the IHOP “Vendor Partner of the Year.” Accepted by Michael Foods President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Dwyer and Director of Business Development and Key Accounts Bruce Waddell, this award honors the IHOP food, equipment or services supplier that has made the greatest contribution to the brand system over the past year. Through their diligence in maintaining supply and mitigating cost increases, Michael foods was able to ease the backlash of an unexpected avian influenza epidemic that severely impacted the country’s egg supply.
• Heart of IHOP Award – Mashoor Awad – Smyrna, Del. franchisee Mashoor Awad was honored with the very much admired “Heart of IHOP” award, recognizing the IHOP franchisee who has displayed a heartfelt commitment to philanthropy and dedication to making a difference in their communities. Awad was applauded for regularly providing second-chance employment opportunities for those who have fallen on hard times. He also donates food, time and dollars toward several local-area charitable causes, year round, such as a local men’s shelter, an area Air Force base and a veteran’s trust to help former service members.
• International Heart of IHOP Award – Parkerhouse Holdings – Based in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, Parkerhouse Holdings and its principal John Sikking received the “International Heart of IHOP” award, similarly recognizing a commitment to serving communities outside the U.S. and providing support in times of need. The group’s long-standing partnership with their local Children’s hospital, along with their capacity to donate a portion of sales to their local Red Cross chapter and cook breakfast for hundreds seeking shelter at a local evacuation center during a recent devastating wildfire, are just two of the reasons Parkerhouse Holdings was the beneficiary of this prestigious IHOP award.

“The passion our franchisees have for the brand, along with their commitment to operational excellence, is what has made IHOP the undisputed leader of freshly made-for-you breakfast served all day, every day for millions of guests,” said Darren Rebelez, president, IHOP. “We are proud of all they have achieved and applaud their efforts to drive the business and support their communities.”

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES, LLC
For 58 years, IHOP has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh, made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of June 30, 2016, there were 1,695 IHOP restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, The Philippines, and Panama. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) and its affiliates.