Dine Brands International has announced plans to open multiple Applebee’s Neighbourhood Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants in the UAE. The first location is scheduled to open in Dubai later this year through an agreement with IHOP franchisee Mohamed Makawi. Tony Moralejo, president, international, Dine Brands Global, said: “Mohamed, as a long-time IHOP operator in the US, is an ideal franchisee to lead the new openings of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants in the UAE market. His passion for our brands, cultural understanding of the Middle East market, paired with his focus on creating exemplary guest experiences, position him to succeed in this new endeavour. “We have seen success in this market through our ghost kitchen operations and are excited to be re-establishing brick-and-mortar locations for our two world-renowned brands. The UAE is one of the fastest developing nations in the world, and the country’s increasing tourism business and consumer demand for casual and family dining restaurants reaffirm it as an important growth market for Dine.” Makawi said: “For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of developing the IHOP brand in the US. With this new venture, I look forward to gaining the support of the communities we plan to serve internationally. “We’re going to hire a local team and are confident guests in the UAE will love joining us in our restaurants for IHOP’s world-famous pancakes and familiar comfort foods, as well as Applebee’s craveable American fare.” Dine Brands International said it continues to place emphasis on growth in markets, including North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Based in California, Dine Brands Global operates about 3,440 restaurants in 16 countries and approximately 350 franchisees and is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

Dine Brands International has announced plans to open multiple Applebee’s Neighbourhood Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants in the UAE. The first location is scheduled to open in Dubai later this year through an agreement with IHOP franchisee Mohamed Makawi. Tony Moralejo, president, international, Dine Brands Global, said: “Mohamed, as a long-time IHOP operator in the US, is an ideal franchisee to lead the new openings of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants in the UAE market. His passion for our brands, cultural understanding of the Middle East market, paired with his focus on creating exemplary guest experiences, position him to succeed in this new endeavour. “We have seen success in this market through our ghost kitchen operations and are excited to be re-establishing brick-and-mortar locations for our two world-renowned brands. The UAE is one of the fastest developing nations in the world, and the country’s increasing tourism business and consumer demand for casual and family dining restaurants reaffirm it as an important growth market for Dine.” Makawi said: “For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of developing the IHOP brand in the US. With this new venture, I look forward to gaining the support of the communities we plan to serve internationally. “We’re going to hire a local team and are confident guests in the UAE will love joining us in our restaurants for IHOP’s world-famous pancakes and familiar comfort foods, as well as Applebee’s craveable American fare.” Dine Brands International said it continues to place emphasis on growth in markets, including North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Based in California, Dine Brands Global operates about 3,440 restaurants in 16 countries and approximately 350 franchisees and is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

Applebee's locations are disappearing across the US. On Thursday, executives announced that the chain plans to close between 105 and 135 locations this year. "We are long overdue in rationalizing the size of our system and closing poorly performing restaurants," Dine Equity CEO Richard Dahl said in a call with investors. In March, Applebee's said that it planned to close 40 to 60 locations in 2017. In 2016, Applebee's closed 46 locations. Dine Equity, which also owns IHOP, reported that its net income in the second quarter was $20.9 million, down from $26.4 million in the same quarter last year. Applebee's same-store sales decreased 7% in the quarter. Executives blamed difficulties in part on Applebee's attempt to win over millennial diners. "Over the past few years, the brand's set out to reposition or reinvent Applebee's as a modern bar and grill in overt pursuit of a more youthful and affluent demographic with a more independent or even sophisticated dining mindset, including a clear pendulum swing towards millennials," John Cywinski, Applebee's brand president, said Thursday. "In my perspective, this pursuit led to decisions that created confusion among core guests, as Applebee's intentionally drifted from its what I’ll call its Middle America roots and its abundant value position," he continued. "While we certainly hope to extend our reach, we can’t alienate Boomers or Gen-Xers in the process." In 2016, Applebee's launched what it called a "comprehensive business transformation" in an attempt to modernize the chain. Changes such as installing fire grills in all 2,000-plus locations across the US — a $40 million investment by the chain’s franchisees — and redesigning locations were supposed to distinguish Applebee's from other casual dining chains. Moving foward, Cywinski said that Applebee's will focus on "routine traditionalists" who actually enjoy casual dining chains and have favorite menu items, as well as "value seekers" who are looking for deals at sit-down restaurants. Restaurants slated for closure are either in areas with declining traffic, such as restaurants near once bustling but now dead malls, or locations with low sales that offer customers a "substandard experience," according to executives. Applebee's isn't the only casual dining chain struggling to win over customers. Brands such as TGI Fridays and Ruby Tuesday have faced sales slumps and dozens of restaurant closures in recent months.

Applebee's locations are disappearing across the US. On Thursday, executives announced that the chain plans to close between 105 and 135 locations this year. "We are long overdue in rationalizing the size of our system and closing poorly performing restaurants," Dine Equity CEO Richard Dahl said in a call with investors. In March, Applebee's said that it planned to close 40 to 60 locations in 2017. In 2016, Applebee's closed 46 locations. Dine Equity, which also owns IHOP, reported that its net income in the second quarter was $20.9 million, down from $26.4 million in the same quarter last year. Applebee's same-store sales decreased 7% in the quarter. Executives blamed difficulties in part on Applebee's attempt to win over millennial diners. "Over the past few years, the brand's set out to reposition or reinvent Applebee's as a modern bar and grill in overt pursuit of a more youthful and affluent demographic with a more independent or even sophisticated dining mindset, including a clear pendulum swing towards millennials," John Cywinski, Applebee's brand president, said Thursday. "In my perspective, this pursuit led to decisions that created confusion among core guests, as Applebee's intentionally drifted from its what I’ll call its Middle America roots and its abundant value position," he continued. "While we certainly hope to extend our reach, we can’t alienate Boomers or Gen-Xers in the process." In 2016, Applebee's launched what it called a "comprehensive business transformation" in an attempt to modernize the chain. Changes such as installing fire grills in all 2,000-plus locations across the US — a $40 million investment by the chain’s franchisees — and redesigning locations were supposed to distinguish Applebee's from other casual dining chains. Moving foward, Cywinski said that Applebee's will focus on "routine traditionalists" who actually enjoy casual dining chains and have favorite menu items, as well as "value seekers" who are looking for deals at sit-down restaurants. Restaurants slated for closure are either in areas with declining traffic, such as restaurants near once bustling but now dead malls, or locations with low sales that offer customers a "substandard experience," according to executives. Applebee's isn't the only casual dining chain struggling to win over customers. Brands such as TGI Fridays and Ruby Tuesday have faced sales slumps and dozens of restaurant closures in recent months.