IHOP Opens First Site In Saudi Arabia

IHOP, which already has four locations in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, has opened its first store in Saudi Arabia. The mall-based restaurant, which opened Dec. 14, is part of a seven-brand restaurant destination in the seaside city of Jeddah.

It’s the fifth grand opening in the Middle East region for the all-American breakfast brand. The first units opened in 2012 under the chain’s multi-franchise agreement with M.H. Alshaya Co. The agreement allows for the development of 40 restaurants across the Middle East and North Africa region, with plans to expand to markets including Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Egypt.

IHOP’s Glendale, Cal.-based parent, DineEquity Inc., franchises and operates more than 1,600 IHOP and 2,000 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in 50 states and 19 countries.