Latest news with #IHOP
The Verge
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Verge
Applebee's and IHOP have plans for AI
Applebee's and IHOP plan to launch an AI-powered 'personalization engine' that could help its restaurants provide recommendations and customized deals, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The personalization engine would use a customer's past purchases — or the orders of customers similar to them — to make recommendations. Justin Skelton, the chief information officer at the restaurants' parent company, Dine Brands, tells the Journal that an AI-powered personalization system would be designed to boost customer loyalty, as well as serve as a way to upsell products. As noted by the Journal, IHOP already has some information about its customers' ordering habits through its rewards program. Instead of chasing viral trends like Chili's, other restaurant franchises have hopped on the AI bandwagon as well, with Wendy's deploying an AI chatbot at its drive-thrus that can take orders and even upsell menu items. McDonald's also recently resumed plans to put AI at the drive-thru and inside its restaurants, while Taco Bell revealed plans to put 'Voice AI' technology at more than 100 of its drive-thrus across the US. As noted by the Journal, Dine Brands is considering rolling out AI tools designed for staff members as well. Along with exploring the use of AI-powered cameras to detect when a table needs cleaning, it's also testing an AI app for managers.
Wall Street Journal
11 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Applebee's and IHOP Plan to Introduce AI in Restaurants
The company behind Applebee's and IHOP plans to use artificial intelligence in its restaurants and behind the scenes to streamline operations and encourage repeat customers. Dine Brands is adding AI-infused tech support for all of its franchisees, as well as an AI-powered 'personalization engine' that helps restaurants offer customized deals to diners, said Chief Information Officer Justin Skelton. The Pasadena, Calif.-based company, which also owns Fuzzy's Taco Shop and has over 3,500 restaurants across its brands, is taking a 'practical' approach to AI by focusing on areas that can drive sales, Skelton said. Streamlining tech support for Dine Brands' more than 300 franchisees is important because issues like a broken printer take valuable time away from actually managing restaurants, Skelton said. Dine Brands' AI tool, which was built with Amazon's Q generative AI assistant, allows the company's field technology services staff to query its knowledge base for tech help using plain English, rather than needing to manually search for answers. The company's personalization engine, which also uses generative AI, automatically recommends new or additional items to customers based on their prior purchases and the purchases of diners similar to them, Skelton said. IHOP was one of the first family-dining restaurants to install a loyalty program for diners, he said, which gives the restaurant chain insight into its customers' purchasing behaviors. Dine Brands is exploring adding that technology to other channels, like servers' tablets and tablets that customers order from, in the next six months, Skelton said. Increasing customer loyalty is a goal of the AI-based personalization engine, Skelton said, which can also be used as a tool for upselling. As diners become increasingly price-sensitive, Dine Brands has responded by adding promotions. Other tech initiatives Dine Brands is testing include AI-powered cameras that can detect when a table needs to be cleared, as well as an AI app for restaurant managers that helps them oversee day-to-day operations like staffing, Skelton said. Those projects are in the experimentation phase, the company said. It is technologies like these, which aren't as flashy, that could deliver the most for a restaurant chain's bottom line, said Brad Jashinsky, a director analyst at Gartner focused on retail, travel and hospitality. Dine Brands declined to say how much it is spending on technology. Skelton said most of Dine Brands' AI and tech initiatives are carried out with the help of third-party vendors. With these updates, Dine Brands joins McDonald's and Yum Brands' Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, which are similarly tapping AI in their restaurants and behind-the-scenes. One promise of AI is that it can make fast-food and casual-dining restaurants more automated, lessening the need for human labor and speeding up the work of existing staff. The ability to offset labor costs—whether by reducing or more accurately forecasting it—is a major cost savings for restaurants, Jashinsky said. AI can also make the dining experience more efficient and satisfying for customers at drive-throughs and in restaurants. But there is reason to proceed with caution: AI-based order taking isn't always accurate, and Wendy's faced backlash last year for testing menus that used AI to adjust pricing. It isn't yet clear to what extent robots and AI will replace humans, but many restaurant chains agree that there will be some disruption to their human labor force. Most are trying to strike the right balance between humans and automation inside of restaurants, Jashinsky said. 'AI is moving quickly, and I believe it's going to be embedded in everything we do,' Dine Brands' Skelton said. Write to Belle Lin at
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘We're super sad': Bedford IHOP set to close its doors
The International House of Pancakes in Bedford, N.S., is pictured on June 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Vanessa Wright) After a three-and-a-half-year run, the International House of Pancakes in Bedford, N.S., will close its doors by the end of the month. 'It's a little bit surprising in some ways because IHOP is a big, internationally well-run, very successful breakfast place in the U.S. But sometimes companies make mistakes when they go international,' says retail analyst Bruce Winder. It wouldn't be the first time an American brand struggled in a Canadian market. Winder says it can be compared to when Target closed their doors nationwide, almost as quickly as they opened them. 'Canadians, you know, they're not dumb,' says Winder. 'They were able to shop at Target in the U.S. and look at the price differential and say, 'this doesn't make sense.'' I think the same thing happened with IHOP.' Although Winder finds its closure surprising, Janick Cormier, the Atlantic vice-president for Restaurants Canada, says she doesn't. 'Generally speaking, restaurants are having a hard time paying their bills right now, so it's not entirely surprising that we're seeing closures,' says Cormier. She says restaurant closures are going to be 'more common' in the coming months, especially as Canadians become pickier with their spending. 'Canadians are very price aware right now… and they are looking at the less expensive items on the menu. They're going to go without the glass of wine these days and stick to water, for example,' says Cormier. Toys"R"Us Toys"R"Us in Dartmouth Crossing is pictured on June 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Vanessa Wright) In the case of Dartmouth Crossing's Toys'R'Us, another store set to close, Dan Shaw, the MBA program director at Dalhousie University says they're not only competing with cheaper alternatives, but steady online competition. 'People are deciding category by category where they can sacrifice the drive and where they could sacrifice, whatever service. And I think we're looking here at a category that there's not a lot of service that comes with it,' says Shaw. 'So, we're seeing that people are wanting to buy more and more things online.' Still, Cormier says IHOP's closure came at a difficult time. 'I think it was very brave of them to open in that climate,' says Cormier. 'We were still in the height of COVID times. There were closures of restaurants across the board… we would be able to reopen, but under a lot of restrictions.' There's no word yet on what will replace the restaurant, but some are disappointed to see it go. 'We're really upset about it because this is a restaurant that we loved to come to together as a family and we love the pancakes here so we're super sad,' says Tanya MacAdam. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DIN Q1 Earnings Call: Menu Innovation and Value Programs Shape Outlook Amid Margin Pressure
Casual restaurant chain Dine Brands (NYSE:DIN) met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 4.1% year on year to $214.8 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.03 per share was 16.7% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy DIN? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $214.8 million vs analyst estimates of $215.1 million (4.1% year-on-year growth, in line) Adjusted EPS: $1.03 vs analyst expectations of $1.24 (16.7% miss) Adjusted EBITDA: $54.73 million vs analyst estimates of $57.31 million (25.5% margin, 4.5% miss) EBITDA guidance for the full year is $240 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $235.4 million Operating Margin: 18.1%, down from 21.9% in the same quarter last year Locations: 3,408 at quarter end, down from 3,445 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales fell 2.4% year on year, in line with the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $411.9 million Dine Brands' first quarter results were shaped by consumer caution and strategic adjustments across its key brands. CEO John Peyton cited increased value mix at Applebee's and IHOP, noting, 'Guests remain cautious with their spending, particularly lower income guests, and we continue to see check management and trade down to lower priced items.' Menu innovation, such as Applebee's Big Easy promotion and off-premise sales initiatives, contributed to improving sales and traffic late in the quarter. At IHOP, the House Faves value menu and a focus on core breakfast items helped drive positive trends in traffic, even as overall same-store sales declined. Operational improvements, including updates to ordering technology and training protocols, also played a role in enhancing guest experience and supporting performance in a challenging environment. Looking ahead, Dine Brands' management emphasized ongoing investments in value platforms, menu enhancements, and operational streamlining as central to its outlook for the remainder of the year. Peyton pointed to planned expansion of dual-branded locations and the evolution of loyalty programs as key growth drivers. CFO Vance Chang highlighted stable labor costs but flagged commodity inflation, especially in eggs, as a risk to margins. Management maintained its full-year guidance, supported by recent momentum in sales and traffic at both Applebee's and IHOP, with Peyton stating, 'We're going to continue to elevate the guest experience, enhance our menus and value programs, and focus on operations—particularly at IHOP.' The company is also closely monitoring the impact of tariffs and supply chain costs, with efforts underway to mitigate potential headwinds. Management credited menu innovation, value-focused guest offerings, and operational changes as the main factors influencing quarterly performance and guiding ongoing strategy. Menu innovation at Applebee's: The Big Easy menu, featuring Bourbon Street-inspired dishes, was introduced as a limited-time promotion. Management stated that these new items drove both traffic and sales, particularly in March and into April, by leveraging the existing popularity of the Bourbon Street segment and offering compelling price points. Off-premise and digital growth: Applebee's continued to expand its off-premise business through targeted promotions like the $0.50 Boneless Wings campaign during NCAA Basketball, and menu offerings designed for takeout. These efforts resulted in a 3.7% increase in off-premise sales, with management describing this as validation of their strategy to include nationally advertised, to-go only promotions. Value platform progress at IHOP: The House Faves value menu, launched late last year, remained a core traffic driver. Management noted its role in attracting guests despite headwinds in family dining, emphasizing that IHOP's traffic outperformed the broader segment for the quarter. Testing is underway to expand House Faves from weekday-only to everyday availability. Operational simplification and technology: At IHOP, process improvements included optimizing server tablets, streamlining kitchen workflows, and introducing video training tools. Management reported these changes have improved speed of service and table turnover, with franchisees engaged in the operational task force to further simplify procedures. Dual-brand and franchise development: The company highlighted the success of dual-brand concepts—Applebee's and IHOP combined in a single location—both domestically and internationally. The first domestic dual-brand restaurant in Texas outperformed previous standalone results, leading to expanded commitments from franchisees. Management views this as a sign of strong franchisee confidence and a potential catalyst for further development. Management expects menu innovation, loyalty program expansion, and operational efficiencies to drive growth, but notes margin headwinds from commodity inflation and tariffs. Expansion of loyalty programs: Applebee's is making its loyalty program, Club Applebee's, a central pillar of brand engagement. Management aims to leverage data for more personalized marketing and exclusive offers, with recent promotions leading to over 175,000 new signups. IHOP continues to use its points-based program to attract and retain guests, with digital and off-premise channels as growth areas. Dual-brand and remodel initiatives: The rollout of dual-branded restaurants and the Applebee's Looking Good remodel program are expected to support traffic and sales. Early results from remodeled locations and dual-brand conversions have exceeded expectations, and management plans to accelerate these initiatives, supported by franchisee incentives and cost reductions in new builds. Commodity and tariff risk management: CFO Vance Chang flagged rising commodity costs, especially eggs, and potential tariff impacts as ongoing risks. The company's supply chain co-op is focused on cost-saving projects and operational improvements to support franchisee profitability, but management cautioned that commodity cost forecasts do not yet factor in potential tariff effects. In the months ahead, our analysts will watch (1) the effectiveness of menu innovation and value offerings in sustaining traffic growth, (2) the pace and financial impact of dual-brand conversions and restaurant remodels, and (3) management's ability to offset rising commodity costs and potential tariff pressures. Progress in loyalty program engagement and digital ordering will also be key indicators of execution. Dine Brands currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 5.1×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). 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Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Father's Day deals: See freebies and discounts from IHOP, Burger King and more
Father's Day in the U.S. is less than a week away. If you aren't shopping for a gift, you might be planning on taking Dad out for a good meal on Father's Day. Several restaurant chains run Father's Day deals and freebies every year. Here's when Father's Day 2025 falls on the calendar, a list of freebies from Father's Day 2024, some confirmed deals for this Father's Day, a list of 2025 predictions based on last year's Father's Day deals and how the holiday began in the U.S. Father's Day 2025 will fall on this Sunday, June 15. Father's Day is always on the third Sunday of June, but the calendar date changes every year. When is Father's Day 2025? Here's the date and origin story for the June holiday for dads Some Father's Day 2025 deals and freebies haven't been announced yet, but USA TODAY's list of Father's Day deals from 2024 is a good litmus test for what could be available this year. The Krazy Coupon Lady – an online media company that aggregates deals, discounts and coupons – also has a list of food chains that confirmed Father's Day 2025 deals and a list of chains that are predicted to run deals this year. Burger King: Royal Perks members can get their dads a BOGO Whopper deal at Burger King on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15. Dave & Buster's: On Father's Day 2025, Dave & Buster's will offer 50% off all food for new and existing loyalty members. They'll also likely hold their "Dad Games,' where participants can win free Dave & Buster's for a year. IHOP: If you order pickup or delivery at IHOP this Father's Day, you'll save 20% on your first online order using promo code IHOP20 at checkout. The offer valid for a one-time use through June 30, 2025. Newk's Eatery: Dad can enjoy a free dessert this Father's Day by purchasing an entree at Newk's Eatery. Twin Peaks: On Sunday, June 15, Twin Peaks offers a special Father's Day $12 cheeseburger bundle (includes a non-alcoholic beverage). The following is a list of predictions based on what these companies have offered in the past; these are not confirmed deals for 2025. 7-Eleven: 7-Eleven will likely offer a discount like $20 off a $30 purchase with promo code through 7NOW Delivery. Arby's: Arby's will likely offer their reward members an exclusive deal. Last year, Arby's Rewards members could get 5 Classic Roast Beef Sandwiches for $5. Baskin Robbins: Baskin Robbins will likely have a discount on Father's Day cakes in 2025. BJ's Restaurant & Brewery: BJ's Restaurant will likely offer one of their iconic Pizookie desserts for free with the purchase of an appetizer or entree. Carvel: For Father's Day, Carvel will likely offer $0 delivery when you order with Uber Eats, Grubhub, or DoorDash. Hurricane Grill & Wings: On Father's Day 2025, Hurricane Grill & Wings might offer free domestic drafts with any entree purchase, for dine-in only. Insomnia Cookies: Take Dad to Insomnia Cookies on Father's Day, and you can receive two free Classic cookies with any in-store purchase. KFC: KFC could offer several deals during Father's Day weekend in 2025. Here are a few you might see: 50-piece nuggets for $25, free 10-piece Saucy Nuggets with $10 or more online purchase, 40% off 12-piece chicken bucket, and free delivery on Father's Day. Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme could celebrate dads with a limited-time doughnut collection as they did in 2024. As part of Father's Day weekend, watch for Krispy Kreme to offer $0 delivery with a minimum purchase from Friday, June 13, through Sunday, June 15. Little Caesar's: Little Caesars will likely have a few deals your dad can enjoy. Watch for discounts on pizzas and their cheese bread. Red Lobster: Red Lobster will likely have a limited-time dine-in-only offer for Father's Day 2025. Smoothie King: On Father's Day 2025, Smoothie King will likely offer a 12-ounce smoothie with the purchase of a 20-ounce or larger smoothie. Sonny's BBQ: On Sunday, June 15, 2025, Sonny's BBQ will likely offer a few discounted meal options. Starbucks: Starbucks will likely offer BOGO drinks from noon to 6 p.m. on Father's Day 2025. Subway: On Father's Day, watch for a possible BOGO 50% off or BOGO free footlongs deal at Subway. Wendy's: During Father's Day weekend (June 13 - 15, 2025), Wendy's Rewards members will likely have an in-app exclusive deal like a BOGO Baconator. Hooters Father's Day 2024 deal for HootClub Rewards members: For all Father's Day weekend, HootClub Rewards members could buy 10 wings any style and get 10 for free. Krispy Kreme unveiled new doughnut collection for Father's Day 2024: Krispy Kreme announced an all-new doughnut collection celebrating dads, available at participating shops from Friday, June 14, 2024, through Sunday, June 16, 2024. Applebee's 2024 Father's Day deal: Buy a $50 Applebee's gift card for Dad and get a $10 bonus card for $60 when purchasing through Carrabba's Italian Grill celebrated Father's Day 2024 with a limited-time menu: Last year, Carrabba honored dads with a limited-time menu, "fit for a king," available from June 6, 2024, through June 16, 2024. Denny's offered free delivery on Father's Day weekend 2024: From June 14, 2024, through June 16, Denny's customers could receive free delivery on all orders of $8 or more placed through Marco's Pizza offered Mega Meal Deal in honor of Father's Day 2024: From June 10-16, 2024, Marco's Pizza offered a Mega Meal Deal that included a large one-topping pizza, CheezyBread and fresh-baked Cinnasquares for $19.99. Cheesecake Factory offered gift card deals for dads, grads and teachers: For every $100 in gift cards purchased online in a single transaction, the Cheesecake Factory offered customers a complimentary $20 bonus card, redeemable from June 29 through July 26, 2024. World of Beer (WOB): World of Beer confirmed to the USA TODAY Florida Network via email that the restaurant will be offering buy one, get one wings on Father's Day, June 15, 2025. "Buy a 5 or 10 piece and get another order on us!" the email said. Moe's: Moe's will be offering rewards after purchasing a $25 or more gift card, the restaurant chain said in an email. "Buy $25 in Gift Cards or eGift Cards and get $5 in rewards — offer valid through 6/16. In addition, Buy $30 in Gift Cards or eGift Cards online and get $10 in rewards— offer valid from 6/5 through 6/15," the email said. Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon: Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon will also be offering gift card deals, with $10 of rewards applied after buying a $30 gift card, the restaurant chains confirmed via email. The gift card deal for Cinnabon is online only. Mother's Day came first and actually inspired Father's Day. According to the commercialized Mother's Day we know and celebrate in the U.S. today began in 1908, but its origins can be traced back to the mid-1800s. 'The 'Mother's Day' we celebrate today originates in the peace-and-reconciliation campaigns of the post-Civil War era. During the 1860s, at the urging of activist Ann Reeves Jarvis, one divided West Virginia town celebrated 'Mother's Work Days' that brought together the mothers of Confederate and Union soldiers …' says. 'In 1909, 45 states observed the day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson approved a resolution that made the second Sunday in May a holiday in honor of 'that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America.'' But Father's Day took a little longer to get off the ground due to gender norms. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac and Lawrence R. Samuel, author of 'American Fatherhood: A Cultural History," 'Men had a different role in the family during the first half of that century. It was patriarchal, so they felt that a special day to exalt fatherhood was a rather silly idea when it was mothers who were underappreciated.' It wasn't until 1972, under President Richard Nixon, that Congress passed an act officially making Father's Day a national holiday. But the first Father's Day celebration can be traced back to 1908, around the same time Mother's Day kicked off in the U.S. 'The first known Father's Day service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, after hundreds of men died in the worst mining accident in U.S. history,' the Old Farmer's Almanac says. But the observance didn't become an annual or nationally observed event. A year later, Sonora Smart Dodd, a 27-year-old from Spokane, Washington, was inspired by Mother's Day and came up with the idea of setting aside a day in June to celebrate dads. 'She proposed June 5, her father's birthday, but the ministers chose the third Sunday in June so that they would have more time after Mother's Day (the second Sunday in May) to prepare their sermons,' the almanac says. 'On June 19, 1910, the first Father's Day events commenced: Sonora delivered presents to handicapped fathers, boys from the YMCA decorated their lapels with fresh-cut roses (red for living fathers, white for the deceased), and the city's ministers devoted their homilies to fatherhood.' The first bill to make Father's Day a holiday was presented to Congress just a few years later in 1913, but didn't pass. Eight years later, President Calvin Coolidge signed a resolution in favor of establishing Father's Day. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed an executive order dictating that the holiday would be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. In 1972, Congress approved an act to make it a national holiday under Nixon. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Father's Day 2025 is coming. See over 20 food deals for holiday
