Applebee's and IHOP considering to merge under one roof

It all comes out of a microwave anyway. Now they can share.

Ihop is the only place open late by me, that would be a downside of them merging.

Sounds like a tacky idea.

Two very different types of restaurants. Merging the two doesn't sound too smart unless they're tyring to become another Dennys.

As I've said on this topic before, very few items on Applebee's menu are microwaved. At least when I worked there. Maybe the sides, like mashed potatoes or veggies (and possibly pasta), but certainly not anything from the grill.

IHOP had a resurgence in my area about 15 years ago, after all their locations closed in the early 80s. They really took off once they reopened (one of my best friends manages one of the locations since 2008). I go somewhat frequently for breakfast (maybe once a month) and they're very good. They started with two locations and gradually opened about six more, slowly and steadily.

On the other hand, Denny's also tried opening in my area about ten years ago - opened four or five locations in great areas. I believe there's only one left. They all closed one by one - horrible service and dirty restaurants.

R4 Same with IHOP. They are very strict about what can be microwaved and why - everything is off the grill. If you send something back because it's cold - they don't microwave. They toss out your food and make it fresh again.

Two dying chains being merged. Not a great idea.

They can rename it "Apple of My IHOP."

Two less things I need in my life. I can remember when IHOP's were good. That was back in the 70s when I was a kid, and the 80s when there was an IHOP by the mall.

This is a "Fat Whores Rejoice!" thread if ever there was one -- BBQ ribs and waffles?!

bHop!

FAT WHORES REJOICE!

Neither is my cup of tea but this is no different than those KenTacoHuts that used to be around.

Hopbee!

IHOP is horrible. I don't have much experience with Applebee's.

Part of the problem with IHOP is that I don't like sweet breakfasts. They put a ladle-full of pancake batter in their omelets (the scrambled egg part). Awful! Why ruin eggs like that?

This was a test. If you opened this thread you are no doubt an eldergay.

Did IHOP every get around to serving real maple syrup?—they never did when I was a kid.

This is dumb. They’re two different styles. One is an early morning or late night breakfast place, and the other is a bar and grill.

IHOP’s Swedish pancakes are my guilty pleasure. I only have them once a year or so, but they’re divine with butter and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Applebee’s, on the other hand, is vomitous mall slop. No thank you to this merger.

International House Of Bees

For some reason it grosses me out when Yum Brands combines Taco Bell, Pizza Hut or KFC under one roof. I immediately question the quality of the food. No way could I eat that slop. But I will go through a McDonalds and eat that slop. It's in my head.

Bar and grill is a ‘90s restaurant concept. I don’t think of Applebees as a bar and grill, but maybe it was.

People have been moving away from table service chains for years. More folks are cooking at home, and supporting local when eating out.

Applebee's, Chili's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, etc.,are played out.

[quote]Bar and grill is a ‘90s restaurant concept.

So true. In the '00's, all the independent restaurants in my area used the tag line "kitchen and bar" or "table and bar" to move away from "bar and grill" concept, which all the chains started using.

I know IHop is open all day, but it is still largely breakfast/brunch food. Why not maximize the operation throughout the day?

IHOP serves lunch and dinner items, too. Their burgers are great and very popular - so are their salads.

Somehow I doubt that IHOP makes good salads.

I still don't understand the appeal of either of these places. I can make that stuff at home for less.

But I'm also a whore for Waffle House's omelettes and hashbrowns. So there's that. Come to think of it, I haven't been to a Waffle House since 2016. I need to correct that.

Waffle House. Hell yeah!

Terrible microwaved food,op. Awful.

Good! Just one place to avoid instead of two.

Two of the grossest eating establishments i know. That said, I think it’s a brilliant idea. The few people I’ve met who like slopping on IHOP’s glop also like stuffing their faces at Applebees.

I live in a neighborhood with lots of great places to eat but both IHOP and Applebees near me are popular. I don’t get it. Have tried both. Food sucks. And, despite the claim of two old co-workers of mine, neither is more affordable than the good local independent restaurants.

Applebee's one virtue in the restaurant wars was that it was clean and not sticky. By merging with IHOP they will end their only competitive advantage.

Eating establishment used to have Smoking and Non-Smoking sections. This new partnership can have Rioting and Non-Rioting sections.

IHOPPLE

I will not go into an IHOP because of the stickiness on every surface. I cannot STAND sticky stuff on my hands or under my feet. Makes me rage.

At IHOP right now. Pancake combo.

r36, celebrate with an extra bacon portion

IHOA

International House of Applebees

To be joined by other chain mergers. Kentucky Fried Arby’s. Mc Bell. Chick-Queen. Burger Juice. Panda King. Jack in the Shack. Long John Hut. Dunkin’ Wendy. It’s never going to end.

Ugh, i never eat at any of them, but how stupid

R37 iI had the sausage links. I was sort of in a rush. Near where I was taking dogs to the groomers that was to open at 8am.

It was fine for breakfast today. Not crowded that early. The pot of coffee was hot and fresh.

[quote] This is dumb. They’re two different styles.

The double restaurant concept, like Taco Bell + Pizza Hut, seems to work. It’s really the same as a food court, with different food types in one location.

new restaurant name will be Fatso McGlorp

There was a Taco Bell / Pizza Hut on my school campus. I ate many a personal pan pepperoni pizza.

Never have I ever.

[quote] I cannot STAND sticky stuff on my hands or under my feet. Makes me rage.

MARY!

So if a family of 4 sits down at an Applebee's, and 3 people want to order from Applebee's, and 1 wants pancakes, will they all get served there? Or does the 4th person have to sit down at the IHOP to get his pancakes?

R38 how about AHOP

This is more monumental than the Kraft-Heinz merger !!

I like both of them though I haven’t been to either in years because they’re not close to where I live anymore. Applebees had the best steak dinner with Mac n cheese creamed spinach and Caesar salad. I don’t see that on their menus any more. And IHOP had the only real old fashioned chef salad I found. I like Dennys too. I don’t eat out much anymore.

Medi meet ocre.

r51, I HOP over to these restaurants a lot. They are very tasty.

Sounds like a plan to become a full-service dining room at a high-end Assisted Living Center.

IHOP is much cheaper than Applebees. My 2 local diners have closed down so when I want breakfast any time of the day I go to IHOP. They have a time of day when the breakfast I order is less than $7. I do not see how Applebees will be able to sell breakfast at 6pm for $7.

The worst for stickiness right now is Bob Evans

I HOP over to these restaurants a lot. They are very tasty.

not from my limited experience. Haven't been to an IHOP this century but it seemed dirty and a former neighbor who worked at Crapplebee's told me most of the food is flash frozen and cooked in a convection oven. Co workers told me that even their hamburgers weren't good.

Went to IHOP today - had a bacon omelet (bacon and Swiss cheese filling). White toast on the side. Delicious.

My husband fit one of their omelets and it was gigantic. I get the two eggs, two slices of bacon and two pancakes or else two eggs, two bacons and hash browns,. Their tea is good and you get plenty of it. Can’t beat it for $7.

Does Apple us do brunch? If they don’t ihop can sell the eggs and pancakes and Applebees can provide the mimosas.,

[quote]Imitation House Of Bees

[quote] The worst for stickiness right now is Bob Evans

That sort of thing depends on the individual establishment I suppose. I'll hit a local Bob Evens two or three times a year to get together with family I otherwise don't often see. Never had a complaint about either the cleanliness or food quality.

Plus it's a small thing but I appreciate it. The wait staff have never once tried to upsell me. "Are we ready for dessert?"