Five IHOP restaurants to open across the province
IHOP is expanding its presence across Ontario.
Working in conjunction with Toronto-based restaurant group K2, the California-based organization Dine International, which owns the restaurant chain, announced plans on August 16 to open outlets at five locations in the province.
The first is scheduled to open at the 10 Acre Truck Stop in Belleville at the beginning of 2022. The other four sites—in Hamilton, Waterloo, London and Windsor—will unfold over the four following years.
"We are pleased to push forward with our international expansion plans and believe working with K2 Group creates the perfect opportunity to successfully build and grow our portfolio across Ontario," says Tony Moralejo, president of Dine Brands International. "We are optimistic that the market is well-positioned to get back to its pre-pandemic growth momentum as we bring jobs, as well as our local and hand-made to order menu items to our Canadian neighbours."
K2 Group, which holds investments in the hospitality, petroleum and real estate sectors, acquired the 10 Acre Truck Stop in Belleville in May 2021.
Since the acquisition, the firm has made significant improvements to the site, which have already led to increased traffic. It felt the site would be an ideal location of an IHOP restaurant because of its iconic reputation and dedicated clientele.
The company will invest $2 million into the new restaurant, and IHOP Belleville will employ over 60 staff and seat up to 184 guests.
"I am excited with the news of this further enhancement to the 10 Acre Truck Stop," said Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk. "K2 Group has already invested significantly in the property, improving service and bringing back many former travellers to this iconic site. The addition of an IHOP restaurant is great news to our truckers and all residents of Belleville, who are thrilled to soon be part of the IHOP family."
The Belleville location will be one of the first IHOPs to open in Ontario outside Niagara Falls. Construction begins later this month, with an opening date of February 2022. Details about further locations are forthcoming.
Featured image: Rendering of the IHOP Belleville building, which is scheduled to open in February 2022. (CNW Group/K2 Group)