IHOP President Jay Johns is retiring after six years in the role, IHOP parent company Dine Brands announced Wednesday. He’ll be replaced by Lawrence Kim, chief innovation officer of Yum Brands.
Johns will step down on Jan. 6 but will remain involved with IHOP as an advisor until March. Kim will become president designee on Oct. 21 and president on Jan. 6.
Johns has been with Dine for 16 years, beginning as VP of strategic services for Applebee’s in 2009. As president of IHOP, he helped modernize the brand with digital ordering, delivery and a loyalty program and oversaw a major menu overhaul earlier this year.
"It has been an honor to lead IHOP and work alongside the hardest working team and franchisees in the industry," Johns said in a statement. "I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, and I have every confidence that Lawrence Kim will continue to drive the brand forward with passion and vision."
Kim has been chief innovation officer of Yum, the owner of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, for nearly four years—a period in which the company has emerged as a leader on technology. Before that, he held various marketing and tech roles at Taco Bell from 2014 to 2020.
At IHOP, he’ll focus on continuing to grow the brand, with an emphasis on innovation, guest experience and restaurant development, Dine said.
“Stepping into the leadership role of this iconic brand is a true privilege," Kim said in a statement. "I have cherished memories of dining at IHOP with family and friends, and I'm thrilled to join this exceptional team. Together with our dedicated franchisees, we'll work tirelessly to ensure that IHOP continues to be an integral part of family culture for generations to come.”
Glendale, Calif.-based IHOP has more than 1,800 restaurants worldwide and is the largest family-dining chain in the U.S. by sales. Domestic systemwide sales rose 5.6% last year, according to Technomic data. In its most recent quarter, same-store sales declined 1.4%.
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