IHOP
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching IHOP franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
- Franchising since
- 1960 Source: franchise.org
- Headquarters
- Pasadena, CA United States Source: franchise.org
IHOP® began making people smile in 1958, opening our first full-service, family dining location in Toluca Lake, CA. Since then, it’s been the popular place where guests can enjoy classic favorites and craveable menu innovations any time of day.
Headline figures
IHOP quick facts
- Is IHOP a franchise?
- Yes. IHOP offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 1,681 franchised and 12 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 68).
- How much does it cost to open an IHOP franchise?
- The IHOP Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $1,907,682–$3,329,845 for conversion only (total — inline/endcap/conversion) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 28); $2,839,182–$4,823,457 for total — large format prototype (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 28); $2,708,932–$4,240,095 for total — 2700 prototype (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 28); $616,682–$4,632,445 for total — dual branded restaurant concept (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 29); $380,550–$3,735,850 for purchase program — total estimated initial investment (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 32). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What is the IHOP initial franchise fee?
- The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $15,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 19). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
- What ongoing fees does IHOP charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 4.5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 21). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 3.5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 21). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does IHOP disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The IHOP FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 66). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many IHOP locations are there?
- The FDD reports 1,693 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 68). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
- Is IHOP a good franchise to buy?
- Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $1,907,682 – $3,329,845 (Total — Inline/Endcap/Conversion); $2,839,182 – $4,823,457 (Total — Large Format Prototype); $2,708,932 – $4,240,095 (Total — 2700 Prototype); $616,682 – $4,632,445 (Total — Dual Branded Restaurant Concept); $380,550 – $3,735,850 (Purchase Program — Total Estimated Initial Investment); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 15 separate groups: revenue and other measures for 180 locations; revenue and other measures for 236 locations; revenue and other measures for 1,275 locations; revenue and other measures for 1,271 locations; revenue and other measures for 59 locations; other measures and revenue for 128 locations; revenue and other measures for 138 locations; other measures and revenue for 178 locations; revenue and other measures for 426 locations; other measures and revenue for 630 locations; other measures and revenue for 624 locations; other measures and revenue for 423 locations; revenue and other measures for 228 locations; other measures and revenue for 54 locations; revenue for 128 locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets declined by 10 in 2025, to 1,693 (Systemwide, United States, Non-Traditional Venue Locations, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Range across 5 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (6)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose; multi-unit packages are listed but not included in the headline range.
- Purchase ProgramPDF p. 32$380,550 – $3,735,850
- Dual Branded Restaurant ConceptPDF p. 29$616,682 – $4,632,445
- Inline/Endcap/ConversionPDF p. 28$1,907,682 – $3,329,845
- 2700 PrototypePDF p. 28$2,708,932 – $4,240,095
- Large Format PrototypePDF p. 28$2,839,182 – $4,823,457
- Multi-Store Development ProgramMulti-unitPDF p. 34$80,000 – $600,000
Standard single-unit franchise fee
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 19
Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- Royalty rateMain ongoing fee
42 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
15 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 180 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Northeast U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: Northeast
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and all Dual Branded Restaurants; 24 were in the second period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 236 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Midwest U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: Midwest
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and 24 Dual Branded Restaurants in this period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 1,275 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the freestanding prototype, 2024 period January 1–December 29
- Period
- Prototype: Freestanding
- Excluded
- 145 subfranchised traditional, all non-traditional, and no dual-branded restaurants included.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 1,271 locations
- Who is counted
- Active, operating traditional franchised IHOP restaurants with the Freestanding prototype as of December 28, 2025
- Period
- Freestanding
- Excluded
- Includes 33 restaurants opened in 2025; excludes 145 subfranchised traditional restaurants, all non-traditional restaurants, and dual-branded restaurants.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 59 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the In-line prototype
- Period
- Prototype: In-line
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants and all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants; no Dual Branded Restaurants in the first period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 128 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the Endcap prototype
- Period
- Prototype: Endcap
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants and all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants; no Dual Branded Restaurants in the first period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 138 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the Endcap prototype in the December 30, 2024–December 28, 2025 period
- Period
- Prototype: Endcap
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and 24 Dual Branded Restaurants in this period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 178 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Northeast U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: Northeast
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and all Dual Branded Restaurants; none were in the first period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 426 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the West U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: West
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and all Dual Branded Restaurants; no Dual Branded Restaurants in this period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 630 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the South U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: South
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and all Dual Branded Restaurants; no Dual Branded Restaurants in this period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 624 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the South U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: South
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and all Dual Branded Restaurants; 24 were in the second period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 423 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the West U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: West
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and all Dual Branded Restaurants; 24 Dual Branded Restaurants in this period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 228 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Midwest U.S. Census Bureau region
- Period
- Region: Midwest
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and all Dual Branded Restaurants; no Dual Branded Restaurants in this period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 54 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the In-line prototype
- Period
- Prototype: In-line
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants and all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants; 24 Dual Branded Restaurants in the second period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue · 128 locations
- Who is counted
- Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the Endcap prototype in the January 1–December 29, 2024 period
- Period
- Prototype: Endcap
- Excluded
- Excludes 145 subfranchised traditional IHOP Restaurants, all Non-Traditional IHOP Restaurants, and no Dual Branded Restaurants in this period.
- Method
- Gross sales data submitted by franchisees for royalty reporting; not audited. Restaurants grouped by U.S. Census Bureau region or by prototype as stated.
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Systemwide, United States, Non-Traditional Venue Locations, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of Fiscal Year 2025 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 68
Net −10 outlets, 2023–2025
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($380,550 – $4,823,457) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units decreased from 1,703 to 1,693 in 2025. What drove the change?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 19
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Northeast U.S. Census Bureau reg… · PDF p. 66
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Midwest U.S. Census Bureau region · PDF p. 66
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the freestanding prototype, 2024… · PDF p. 67
- [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Active, operating traditional franchised IHOP restaurants with the Freestanding… · PDF p. 67
- [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the In-line prototype · PDF p. 67
- [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the Endcap prototype · PDF p. 67
- [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the Endcap prototype in the Decem… · PDF p. 67
- [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Northeast U.S. Census Bureau reg… · PDF p. 66
- [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the West U.S. Census Bureau region · PDF p. 66
- [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the South U.S. Census Bureau region · PDF p. 66
- [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the South U.S. Census Bureau region · PDF p. 66
- [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the West U.S. Census Bureau region · PDF p. 66
- [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants in the Midwest U.S. Census Bureau region · PDF p. 66
- [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the In-line prototype · PDF p. 67
- [16]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional franchised IHOP Restaurants using the Endcap prototype in the Janua… · PDF p. 67
- [17]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 68
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page.
Territory & operations
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
| Fiscal year | Measure | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $41,085 |
| 2025 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $77,281 |
| 2025 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $182,534 |
| 2025 | dine brands global, inc. and subsidiariesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $2,012 |
| 2025 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $64,112 |
| 2025 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $23,027 |
| 2025 | dine brands global, inc. and subsidiariesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $1,738 |
| 2025 | dine brands global, inc. and subsidiariesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$274 |
| 2025 | dine brands global, inc.More than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $17 |
| 2025 | dine brands global, inc.More than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $879 |
| 2024 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $37,964 |
| 2024 | dine brands global, inc. and subsidiariesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $1,791 |
| 2024 | dine brands global, inc. and subsidiariesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $2,007 |
| 2024 | dine brands global, inc.More than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$216 |
| 2024 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $61,315 |
| 2024 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $23,351 |
| 2024 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $171,683 |
| 2024 | ihop franchisor llcMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $74,794 |
| 2024 | dine brands global, inc.More than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $812 |
| 2024 | dine brands global, inc.More than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $65 |
| 2023 | dine brands global, inc.More than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $831 |
| 2023 | dine brands global, inc.More than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $97 |
These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
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At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.