Dine Brands International Expands with IHOP Non-Traditional Restaurant Franchisee Deal with K2 Group in Ontario, Canada
Rendering of Future Belleville, Ontario IHOP
Five restaurants planned to open over the next five years
Dine Brands International today announces expansion plans for new non-traditional restaurants across Ontario, Canada. Through an agreement with Kailash Kasal — President of Toronto-based investment company, K2 Group – a minimum of five IHOP restaurant openings will take place in Ontario over the next five years. The first is scheduled to open in a truck stop location in Belleville at the beginning of 2022, and other locations, including Hamilton, Waterloo, and London, will follow.
“We are pleased to push forward with our international expansion plans and believe working with the K2 Group team, along with our existing franchisee team in the market; will create the perfect opportunity to successfully build and grow our portfolio across Ontario,” said Tony Moralejo, President, International, Dine Brands Global, Inc.
“We are optimistic that the market is well-positioned to get back to its pre-pandemic growth momentum. Almost regardless of the level of economic uncertainty, we are able to bring jobs, as well as our local and hand-made to order menu items to our Canadian neighbors, offering a safe work and dining experience as we all return to eating out,” added Moralejo.
The inaugural Belleville location will be a one-of-a-kind restaurant and one of the first IHOP locations to open in Ontario outside of Niagara Falls. Construction begins in August, 2021, with an opening date of February, 2022.
“The role of restaurants in local communities remains crucial to ensuring residents and visitors have a place to come and gather. With more than 30 years in the business, I’m confident our new Ontario restaurants will thrive as we work to meet our guests where they are while providing exceptional dining experiences and the world’s most famous pancakes,” said Kailash Kasal, President, K2 Group, a Dine Brands Franchisee.