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A dual Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant will open in New York for the first time this month.
The restaurant duo’s grand opening is set for March 18 in Hawthorne, New York, about 30 miles from Manhattan, Doherty Enterprises, a major Applebee’s franchisee, announced in a news release this week.
“This new dual-brand restaurant gives local residents the flexibility to enjoy everything from IHOP’s signature pancakes and breakfast classics to Applebee’s burgers, wings and late-night favorites all day long,” the company’s news release said.
The first Applebee’s and IHOP double-branded restaurant in the United States opened in February 2025 in Seguin, Texas, about 55 miles from San Antonio. Dine Brands, the parent company of both chains, said on its fourth-quarter earnings call Wednesday, Feb. 25, that it expects at least 50 dual-brand restaurants to open in 2026, with a portfolio of nearly 80 in the U.S. by the end of the year.
“As of today, we have opened 32 dual-brand restaurants in the United States, including three company-owned restaurants, and nine additional dual-brand restaurants are under construction,” the company said. “These restaurants continue to outperform single-brand locations, delivering approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times more revenue.”
“We take the best of both brands,” says franchisee
This concept restaurant brings together the menus of Applebee’s and IHOP in one building, allowing you to enjoy menus from both eateries at the same time.
Dougherty Enterprises said the restaurant will be open from breakfast until late night, so customers can enjoy pancakes in the evening or hamburgers for breakfast.
In addition, the atmosphere will be a combination of “the cozy, warm Applebee’s atmosphere and the bright, energetic IHOP environment,” and “guests can choose the atmosphere to suit the occasion,” the company said.
“We’re bringing the best of both brands to our guests, allowing people to choose the experience they want in one convenient location,” Timothy Dougherty, president and chief operating officer of Dougherty Enterprises, said in a statement.
Doherty added, “This concept is about choice and value for families, commuters and local workers. Whether you come in for fresh pancakes at 7 a.m. or signature wings at 9 p.m., you can get your favorites without ever leaving the building.”
Recent Applebee’s closings
The move comes more than a month after Applebee’s announced it was closing restaurants in multiple states, including Indiana, Missouri and New York, according to a previous USA TODAY report.
The closures include two franchised stores in Evansville, Indiana, one franchised store in Columbia, Missouri, and another franchised store in Glenville, New York.
“What’s important is our growth momentum, and we’re seeing real signs of a turning point,” Applebee’s President John Payton said in a statement to USA TODAY. “We are planning to open more restaurants this year than usual.”
Contributor: Saleen Martin & Jon Webb, USA TODAY
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
