IHOP Is 68 Years Young: Lawrence Kim on Evolving an American Icon

Lawrence Kim, President of IHOP and Chief Commercial Officer of Dine Brands, joins Hospitality Hangout live from the Prosper Forum in Orlando for a conversation about what it means to take the reins of one of America’s most recognizable restaurant brands.
IHOP has been around since 1958, but Lawrence does not describe the work ahead as a turnaround. He calls it an evolution. In his words, IHOP is not 68 years old. It is “68 years young.”

That evolution starts with understanding what people already love. Lawrence talks about IHOP’s breakfast heritage, the return of familiar touches like the syrup caddy, new menu ideas including Dubai Chocolate Pancakes and the BLTAF, and the brand’s everyday $6 Value Menu. IHOP officially launched that value platform as a permanent core-menu offering, with complete meals available every day at participating restaurants.

But Lawrence is not learning the business from behind a desk. When he joined IHOP, he spent his first months working inside restaurants as a cook, server and night-shift team member. Since then, he says he has visited more than 150 IHOP restaurants across the country, often walking in anonymously, waiting in line, ordering food, timing the experience and seeing the restaurant the way a guest does.

This is a conversation about nostalgia, listening, value and the responsibility that comes with carrying an iconic brand into its next generation.

Episode Credits:

• Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
• Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, Jimmy Frischling
• Producer: Julie Zucker
• Creative Director: Adam Levine
• Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
• Post Production: Three Cheers Media

www.thehospitalityhangout.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.