IHOP-Applebee's combo restaurants could be coming, but history shows making them work could be tough

Mon, 04/01/2024 - 11:26

Taco Bell and Pizza Hut — Multi-branded restaurants, like this combination Taco Bell-Pizza Hut, have been around for decades.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Dine Brands is thinking about rolling out combination IHOP-Applebee's restaurants.
But other chains have tried that before, with not a great deal of success.
Running restaurants together relies on details like integrating kitchens.

In 2008, Hip Hop trio Das Racist caught the attention of the internet with their song "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell." It also catapulted the novel fast-food concept — restaurants that serve food from two brands — into pop culture.