It’s time to prepare your appetite. Ontario’s first dual-brand Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant is about to open its doors in the Greater Toronto Area. 

The upcoming outpost will officially launch in Ajax on Aug. 4. It will be located under an hour from Toronto at 155 Kingston Rd. E. — a spot already home to a neighbourhood Applebee’s.

Now, the transformed space will be home to “two of the world’s favourite restaurant brands.” It will pay homage to both brands’ image under one roof.

“We are excited to bring this first-of-its-kind dining experience to Ajax and the Durham community,” said Sanjay Patel, owner of the new dual-brand IHOP and Applebee’s location.

“For our family, this is about bringing the community together, whether it’s over pancakes with the kids in the morning or riblets with friends in the evening.”

Applebee’s and IHOP grand opening in Ontario

To welcome in the new restaurant, a public ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 4. This will also be when doors officially open to diners.

Visitors can also look forward to a “signature pancake tower unveiling,” along with free pancakes to the first 100 guests.

As part of the grand opening, the restaurant is also partnering with the region’s largest food distribution network, Feed The Need in Durham, to support food security in the area.

A permanent in-restaurant donation program will be included in the partnership. Plus, the restaurant team will also serve free pancakes to Feed The Need in Durham’s staff, volunteers and members as part of a preopening drop-in.

“Partnering with Feed The Need in Durham to help address food insecurity in our community is what makes this opening truly meaningful for us,” said Patel.

Aside from the grand opening, the restaurant will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Diners can expect “simple, craveable” American fare with classic drinks from Applebee’s and 65 different signature breakfast options, along with a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items from IHOP.

More new restaurants coming to Ajax

Following the launch of Olive Garden’s first Ontario location in the Greater Toronto Area at 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr. in Vaughan, the Italian-inspired restaurant is also slotted to launch an outpost in Ajax.

Although an opening date has yet to be announced, the restaurant is “coming soon,” according to its website. It will be situated at 130 Kingston Rd. E. 

Plus, another Olive Garden in Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood is also coming soon.