Over the next five years, IHOP plans to open new restaurants in Windsor and London.
Those are among five restaurants expected to open doors under a non-traditional restaurant franchisee deal between the K2 Group in Toronto and Dine Brands International, a California-based company.
The first restaurant will open in Belleville at the beginning of next year at the 10 Acre Truck Stop on Hwy. 401. The other locations will be in Hamilton and Waterloo.
"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," said President of Dine Brands, Tony Moralejo. "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."
The location in Belleville will be one of the first under the IHOP brand to open in Ontario outside of Niagara Falls. Construction starts this month, and the restaurant should open next February. It will employ more than 60 people.
The company said it would provide details on the other four locations shortly.