Dine Brands International Announces Plans to Open Applebee’s® and IHOP® Restaurants in The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

First restaurant opening in Dubai, planned for late 2022

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dine Brands International today announces plans to open multiple Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar® and IHOP® restaurants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the first location scheduled to open in Dubai later this year through an agreement with established IHOP Franchisee Mohamed Makawi.

“Mohamed, as a long-time IHOP operator in the U.S., is an ideal franchisee to lead the new openings of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants in the UAE market. His passion for our brands, cultural understanding of the Middle East market, paired with his focus on creating exemplary guest experiences, position him to succeed in this new endeavor,” said Tony Moralejo, President, International, Dine Brands Global, Inc.

“We have seen success in this market through our ghost kitchen operations and are excited to be re-establishing brick-and-mortar locations for our two world-renowned brands. The UAE is one of the fastest developing nations in the world, and the country’s increasing tourism business and consumer demand for casual and family dining restaurants reaffirm it as an important growth market for Dine,” added Moralejo.

“For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of developing the IHOP brand in the U.S. With this new venture, I look forward to gaining the support of the communities we plan to serve internationally,” said Franchisee Mohamed Makawi. “We’re going to hire a local team and are confident guests in the UAE will love joining us in our restaurants for IHOP’s world-famous pancakes and familiar comfort foods, as well as Applebee’s craveable American fare.”

Dine Brands International continues to place emphasis on growth in markets, including North America, The Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. For more information on international franchise opportunities, click here.

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.
Based in Glendale, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under both the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP brands. With approximately 3,440 restaurants combined in 16 countries and approximately 350 franchisees, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.