General Discussion

milestogo

(23,483 posts) Thu Jul 16, 2026, 03:19 PM 8 hrs ago

Yesterday I had lunch at IHOP with a friend.

Two meals came to $35. Still, the menu looked less expensive than Perkins or Denny's.

At noon on a Wednesday there were 3 occupied tables, including ours. I know from my experience in the restaurant business that this is really bad. And I can remember when this IHOP parking lot was always full.

The waitress told us that she used to work at Applebee's but they are remodeling, because IHOP and Applebees are combining. They will be known as Applehop. I guess this has been going on since 2024 but I never heard of it.

The IHOP brand is so distinctive - this seems like a loss. But I guess the restaurant industry is doing badly.

12 replies

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Highlight:

Yesterday I had lunch at IHOP with a friend. (Original Post) milestogo 8 hrs ago OP

Trumpinomics lapfog_1 8 hrs ago #1

Huh... 2naSalit 8 hrs ago #2

We went to IHOP years ago, and were surprised at how expensive it was compared to before. We stopped going. SWBTATTReg 7 hrs ago #3

I always remember the scene from Mary Hartman Mary Hartman crud 7 hrs ago #4

I don't think Applehop is actually a thing. flvegan 7 hrs ago #5

Yeah, not sure about the branding but there are some who may combine the names. milestogo 7 hrs ago #8

My last visit to IHOP was vertigo inducing... Moostache 7 hrs ago #6

Yup. milestogo 7 hrs ago #9

Haven't been out to eat since Covid and now it's too expensive. Ritabert 7 hrs ago #7

Wow is that true about "Applehop"? senseandsensibility 6 hrs ago #10

Well, the ones in Beaver Dam and Madison WI may be taking that name. milestogo 6 hrs ago #11

I've Been Going to Subway Recently DET 6 hrs ago #12

lapfog_1

(32,103 posts)

1. Trumpinomics

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 03:23 PM

8 hrs ago

Applehop? OMG that is a bad idea.

IHOP is for OK pancakes as part of a budget breakfast / brunch place, Applebees is mid tier ok lunch dinner burger place, one cut above fast food.

2naSalit

(105,387 posts)

2. Huh...

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 03:23 PM

8 hrs ago

The nearest one to me is about 50 miles away and it just opened last year, 13 months ago. Was always packed. Haven't been since last summer but it was not inexpensive either.

Corporations, they will be the death of us in every way they can insert themselves.

SWBTATTReg

(26,607 posts)

3. We went to IHOP years ago, and were surprised at how expensive it was compared to before. We stopped going.

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 03:41 PM

7 hrs ago

crud

(1,336 posts)

4. I always remember the scene from Mary Hartman Mary Hartman

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 03:48 PM

7 hrs ago

When the whole family is at the police station to bail out grandpa for public exposure. After he is released, Mary tells everyone they are going to IHOP and everything is gonna be fine.

Everything is fine when you are at IHOP.

flvegan

(66,783 posts)

5. I don't think Applehop is actually a thing.

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 03:49 PM

7 hrs ago

I know Dine is combining restaurants (brick and mortar/footprint) for a number of reasons, but I don't believe they're abandoning either brand, rather going with dual branding.

Both Applebees and IHOP are iconic. "Applehop" may be a nickname or something, but I don't think it's a legit change.

Speaking of iconic, if they're bring Applebee's employees into the IHOP forum, they better teach them how to both survive the worst weather and also how to fight. That's the IHOP way.

milestogo

(23,483 posts)

8. Yeah, not sure about the branding but there are some who may combine the names.

Reply to flvegan (Reply #5)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 04:22 PM

7 hrs ago

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/applehop-applebee-ihop-opening-joint-004905160.html

Moostache

(11,377 posts)

6. My last visit to IHOP was vertigo inducing...

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 04:04 PM

7 hrs ago

$19.95 for a Denver Omelet?

There is no way I am paying that pricing AND tipping for a damn omelet.

milestogo

(23,483 posts)

9. Yup.

Reply to Moostache (Reply #6)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 04:23 PM

7 hrs ago

It's like that everywhere.

I feel sorry for people who travel for their jobs and eat out all the time... unless they get reimbursed.

Ritabert

(2,957 posts)

7. Haven't been out to eat since Covid and now it's too expensive.

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 04:17 PM

7 hrs ago

I can make a cheese omelet at home a lot cheaper.

senseandsensibility

(26,285 posts)

10. Wow is that true about "Applehop"?

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 04:28 PM

6 hrs ago

I used to love the blueberry waffles at the Lake Tahoe IHOP when we were on vacation. Applebee's is okay too. I'm not a restaurant snob. I have an aunt who sends us gift cards from Applebee's for Christmas so the hubby uses them to get burgers. The last time he got one it was thirty bucks!

milestogo

(23,483 posts)

11. Well, the ones in Beaver Dam and Madison WI may be taking that name.

Reply to senseandsensibility (Reply #10)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 04:36 PM

6 hrs ago

Others will keep separate branding. But prices are going up everywhere. I always check out menus before getting to the restaurant and this time I was shocked at the prices.

DET

(2,717 posts)

12. I've Been Going to Subway Recently

Reply to milestogo (Original post)

Thu Jul 16, 2026, 04:37 PM

6 hrs ago

For takeout. They have four 6” subs for $4 apiece. I get the cold cut combo and my husband gets the BLT. Maybe not the healthiest, but it’s a great deal.

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