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See Member Benefits<\/a>Join Our Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n The conversion will bring Applebee\u2019s to Apopka, where the chain does not currently operate a restaurant.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to bringing a dual-branded Applebee\u2019s | IHOP restaurant to Apopka,\u201d Larry Brakefield, president of Sunshine Restaurant Partners, said in a statement provided to The Apopka Chief. \u201cThis concept brings together IHOP\u2019s world-famous pancakes and breakfast favorites with Applebee\u2019s boneless wings, burgers and more, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy the best of both brands any time of day, all under one roof. We will continue to share updates as they are confirmed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Apopka conversion comes as Dine Brands Global, the parent company of Applebee\u2019s and IHOP, rapidly expands the dual-branded concept across the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dine Brands announced Sept. 15 that it was approaching 50 dual-branded restaurants nationwide and expects to have approximately 80 domestic locations by the end of 2026. The company opened the first standalone U.S. dual-branded Applebee\u2019s\/IHOP in Seguin, Texas, in February 2025.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n At dual-branded locations, customers can order items from both Applebee\u2019s and IHOP from a single menu throughout the day. The restaurants maintain elements of both brands while sharing some spaces and restaurant infrastructure. Dine Brands defines a dual-branded restaurant as one location operating the IHOP and Applebee\u2019s concepts under separate franchise agreements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The company has expanded the concept in part by converting existing restaurants. During the first quarter of 2026, existing Applebee\u2019s restaurants added IHOP concepts and an existing franchise IHOP added an Applebee\u2019s concept, according to Dine Brands.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The Apopka IHOP opened in July 2019. The restaurant will have operated at the location for more than seven years when it closes for the conversion.\u00a0<\/p>\n Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790664740_961_6.png\")
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