EMV. We require franchisees to have Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (“EMV”) Point to Point Encryption (“P2P”) encryption certified solutions for processing payment in the Restaurant. Currently, we require franchisees to use approved payment devices (currently, Ingenico devices) purchased through FreedomPay and we currently require franchisees to use FreedomPay’s EMV processing as part of the credit card gateway solution or any future solution we may implement. Delivery. You will be required to sign up for the Olo, Inc. dispatch platform (currently provided through DoorDash, which may be subject to change in the future) which allows guests to order delivery through our website or mobile app. We may impose additional delivery requirements in the future and you may be required to pay any and all related fees.
From the filings
IHOP
Full service restaurantIHOP's franchise agreement mandates Ingenico payment devices through FreedomPay and designates Tray as the currently approved POS system, with Olo also required. Dine Brands' Acting CIO Chris Padilla oversees technology decisions for a system of 1,681 franchised restaurants in the U.S. and U.S. Territories, mapped across 1,138 operators, inside the Dine Brands Global portfolio alongside Applebee's and Fuzzy's Taco Shop.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Ordinary royalty terms
4.5% component; full terms unconfirmed
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.
Recorded percentage components
These are recorded percentage components. Each has its own base and conditions; the chart does not state the total payment or confirm ad-fund completeness.
1recorded components (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
3 technology requirements are recorded in this filing. A required choice lists alternatives for one obligation. Read each cited clause for its conditions.
EMV/P2P. You must purchase equipment and procure services from an approved vendor approved for credit card processing services. Specifically, you are required to use the approved payment devices (currently Ingenico Lane3000, Move5000, and Moby tablet devices) purchased through an approved vendor and you are required to use the approved vendor’s EMV processing as part of the credit card gateway solution or any future solution we may implement. Currently, the initial investment ranges between $1,300 and $4,500 for equipment and a monthly fee of $53 to be paid to the vendor.
(24) This fee may be funded by the National Advertising Fund or there could be all or a portion of the fees required to be paid directly by the Franchisee. (25) Catering is currently optional but may be required in the future. The current approved supplier for catering is Olo, Inc.; however, we may, from time to time, evaluate and approve other vendors as an approved supplier. (26) Membership in the Pancake Supply Chain Co-Op, Inc. is voluntary. If you choose to join, this fee must be paid. Payment must be made to the Pancake Supply Chain Co-Op, Inc. at the address set forth in the Membership Subscription Agreement and not to us. See Item 8 for details.
EMV. We require franchisees to have Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (“EMV”) Point to Point Encryption (“P2P”) encryption certified solutions for processing payment in the Restaurant. Currently, we require franchisees to use approved payment devices (currently, Ingenico devices) purchased through FreedomPay and we currently require franchisees to use FreedomPay’s EMV processing as part of the credit card gateway solution or any future solution we may implement. Delivery. You will be required to sign up for the Olo, Inc. dispatch platform (currently provided through DoorDash, which may be subject to change in the future) which allows guests to order delivery through our website or mobile app. We may impose additional delivery requirements in the future and you may be required to pay any and all related fees.
(4) Crystal Williamson v. Brooklyn Hop 2 LLC, et al. (United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York), Case No.1:18-cv-05615-AMD-SMG. On October 9, 2018, Crystal Williamson, a former employee of franchisee Brooklyn Hop 2 LLC, filed a class action complaint against the franchisee, DineEquity, Inc., IHOP, and its affiliates (“Dine Parties”). The complaint alleges Defendants violated federal and state antitrust laws by agreeing to non-solicitation and no-hire provisions in the franchise agreements. On May 7, 2019, the parties reached a settlement in which Plaintiff received a payment of $9,500.00. (5) Heartland Consumer Products, LLC, et al. v. DineEquity, Inc., et al. (United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana), Case No. 1:17-cv-01035-SEB-TAB. On April 3, 2017, Heartland Consumer Products LLC and TC Heartland LLC, the manufacturer of a sucralose-based sugar substitute branded as Splenda, filed suit against DineEquity, Inc. and its affiliates (“DineEquity”). The complaint alleged that DineEquity infringed upon Heartland’s alleged trademark rights in Splenda. The complaint asserted claims for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition, and trademark dilution. On September 26, 2018, the parties reached a settlement, wherein DineEquity agreed to allow the Plaintiff’s tabletop sweeteners to be the exclusive tabletop sweeteners in the system.
Curb Side Pick Up (CSPU). CSPU enables restaurants to provide guests the ability to order “to go” food and, through a service provided by “Fly Buy”, monitor when the guest arrives in the parking lot at which time a restaurant team member completes the transaction by bringing the food to the guest in his or her car. CSPU with “FlyBuy” is currently optional but IHOP may determine that it is required for a specific location. This determination is determined by IHOP in its sole discretion. Waitlist. Waitlist enables restaurants to seat more guests, more efficiently through a service provided by NoWait or Waitwhile. Waitlist is currently optional but may be required by IHOP in the future. IHOP Loyalty. International Bank of Pancakes is the rewards program that a customer can join through downloading the IHOP app or through ihop.com. The administrative costs of the loyalty program are primarily funded by the National Advertising Fund, and there are no additional technology or operating fees required to support the program. Except for certain non-traditional venues, all domestic restaurants must participate in the program. Customers earn “Pancoins” based on their spend on qualifying purchases in restaurant or through IHOP digital channels (app or ihop.com). The “Stack Market” is the virtual marketplace where customers will redeem their Pancoins for coupons for menu items or other items available in the market at that time. Pancoins can be accumulated and redeemed for menu or other items in the Stack Market and only expire 365 days after they have been earned. Franchisees are responsible for honoring the coupons earned by customers participating in the loyalty program. Additional details and requirements of the program are found in the International Bank of Pancakes Terms and Conditions.
Type of Fee 1 Amount Due Date Remarks Royalty 4.5% of total Gross Sales 2 Billed weekly and due Gross Sales is defined in 16 days after invoice footnote 2 of this Item 6. date National Advertising Fee 3.5% of total Gross Sales Same as Royalty Fee We pool these funds with payments from all U.S. franchisees. Local Advertising Fee There is currently no Same as Royalty Fee There is currently not a required local advertising Local Advertising Fee. fee Cooperative Advertising Varies depending on your Same as Royalty Fee This fee is optional. decision to participate Payments to co-op will be credited against your Local Advertising Fee, and an agreed upon percentage of Gross Sales may be utilized to fund media. Additional Training Fee $5,000 per person per Prior to training Payable if your Certified Restaurant Leader is replaced, requiring the new Certified Leader to complete Initial Opening Training Additional Assistance Fee $375 per day per person, Upon demand Payable if you request plus reasonable additional assistance transportation and living from IHOP’s or an IHOP expenses Affiliate’s training staff or if IHOP requires if you do not have an approved manager. Compliance Audit Fee and Interest on the understated Upon demand Interest is due on any Interest or unpaid amounts due to us understated or unpaid amounts due to 14 IHOP-TR FDD – 04/26 Amendment Type of Fee 1 Amount Due Date Remarks at the highest rate allowed franchisor. Audit fee is by law3 plus cost of audit payable if audit shows an understatement of at least 2% of Gross Sales for any period, or if you fail to produce records. Delayed Approval Fee $170 per day Upon your request for For Single Store additional time Development Program only. Delayed Development Fee $350 per day Upon your request for For Multi-Store additional time Development and Single Store Development Program only.4 Dine Brands Franchisee $1,900 to $2,500 per year, 30 days after billing This is the preferred Technology Services Support subject to change (billed annually) support provider. (Help Desk) Payment Protection Fee $150 to $500 per month Not currently required, These fees relate to but when implemented, services to reduce credit upon demand. card chargebacks and payment fraud. These would be paid to us or directly to our suppliers. Punchh and loyalty program $0 to $200 Upon demand These fees are paid indirectly through contributions to the National Advertising Fund and are required to be enabled as part of the IHOP loyalty program. BYOD/Pay at Table $0 to $300 Upon demand These fees are paid indirectly through contributions to the National Advertising Fund. Implementation Fees $500 to $2,000 Upon demand These fees relate to deployment and support for hardware, software and upgrades, as well as other products Insurance 5 Amount of unpaid Upon demand Payable only if we elect premiums to obtain coverage upon your failure to do so. Late Fee Highest rate permitted by Continues to accrue Payable if you are late law or 1-1/2% per month, until paid paying any amount due whichever is less IHOP or an IHOP Affiliate. National Gift Card Program 15% of the redeemed Cost is recovered as Permits us or our affiliate Charges 6 portion of gift cards sold in part of the periodic to recover cost incurred the national program, but electronic settlement to operate the national the amount may change process for sales and gift card program (i.e., redemptions of gift gift cards sold through cards. channels other than the Restaurant). On-Location Assistance Fee $0 to $18,000 30 days after billing Only if requested by you. The amount may vary 15 IHOP-TR FDD – 04/26 Amendment Type of Fee 1 Amount Due Date Remarks depending upon number of trainers and hours worked. Renewal Fee $10,000 Upon execution of new Franchise Agreement. Self-Supported Franchisee $425-$525 per 30 days after billing If franchisee chooses to Technology Services Support service/incident not use Dine Brands Franchisee Technology Services Support (Help Desk), these optional fees apply when the applicable services are requested by franchisee. Supplier/Distributor Approval Costs of sample testing plus 30 days after billing Payable if you want us to other actual costs, such as approve a new supplier, facility inspection and we require a test of the supplier’s products and/or inspection of the supplier/distributor. Our testing may include sensory panels, audits, consumer panels, and nutritional testing. Transfer Fee (Franchise $7,500, plus $5,000 training 50% of Transfer Fee Payable if you are Agreement) fee per person per payable at the time you approved to sell your Restaurant notify IHOP of the franchise. Includes proposed transfer, and training fee for two the balance payable by people for one year. All the effective date of or part of the training fee transfer. Training fee may be waived to the payable prior to extent that, in our commencement of judgment, training is not training, prior to required. transfer. Transfer Fee (Multi-Store $2,500 50% of Transfer Fee Payable if you are Development Agreement) payable at the time you approved to sell your notify IHOP of the Multi-Store proposed transfer, and Development the balance payable by Agreement. the effective date of the transfer. Food Safety Evaluation $0 to $1,200 Upon demand. See Note (7) Reaudit Fee 7 Egg Audit 8 $0 to $500 Upon demand. See Note (8)
Opening Training Support $0 $65,000 Certified or cashier’s Upon Invoice. IHOP Fee (11) check or wire transfer POS Setup, Training and $3,500 $9,000 Certified or cashier’s Upon invoice. IHOP or Support Fee (12) check or wire POS Vendor transfer Tray POS Software Fees $2,900 per $4,000 per As required by 45 days after Supplier (13) year year supplier receiving invoice.
Curb Side Pick Up (CSPU). CSPU enables restaurants to provide guests the ability to order “to go” food and, through a service provided by “Fly Buy”, monitor when the guest arrives in the parking lot at which time a restaurant team member completes the transaction by bringing the food to the guest in his or her car. CSPU with “FlyBuy” is currently optional but IHOP may determine that it is required for a specific location. This determination is determined by IHOP in its sole discretion. Waitlist. Waitlist enables restaurants to seat more guests, more efficiently through a service provided by NoWait or Waitwhile. Waitlist is currently optional but may be required by IHOP in the future. IHOP Loyalty. International Bank of Pancakes is the rewards program that a customer can join through downloading the IHOP app or through ihop.com. The administrative costs of the loyalty program are primarily funded by the National Advertising Fund, and there are no additional technology or operating fees required to support the program. Except for certain non-traditional venues, all domestic restaurants must participate in the program. Customers earn “Pancoins” based on their spend on qualifying purchases in restaurant or through IHOP digital channels (app or ihop.com). The “Stack Market” is the virtual marketplace where customers will redeem their Pancoins for coupons for menu items or other items available in the market at that time. Pancoins can be accumulated and redeemed for menu or other items in the Stack Market and only expire 365 days after they have been earned. Franchisees are responsible for honoring the coupons earned by customers participating in the loyalty program. Additional details and requirements of the program are found in the International Bank of Pancakes Terms and Conditions.
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
21 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 4 explicit no's; 9 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesFranchise agreement
At any time upon Franchisor’s request, Franchisee shall provide to Franchisor or its authorized representatives access, and if applicable a key to permit reading of, the running total of the point-of-sale system.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Within 30 days after the expiration of each calendar quarter (or other three-month period designated by Franchisor), Franchisee shall furnish Franchisor with a profit and loss statement of the Franchised Restaurant for such previous quarter and within 90 days after the end of each calendar year, Franchisee shall…
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesFranchise agreement
with the specifications set forth in the Operations Bulletins and, except only those items referred to in Sections 10.02(a) and (b), shall be purchased and procured by Franchisee from Franchisor or its Affiliate (if offered by Franchisor or its Affiliate), from approved suppliers or distributors designated by…
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 6
Supplier/Distributor Approval Costs of sample testing plus 30 days after billing Payable if you want us to other actual costs, such as approve a new supplier, facility inspection and we require a test of the supplier’s products and/or inspection of the supplier/distributor.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee may not purchase any products from a proposed supplier or distributor until and unless Franchisor has provided written approval thereof to Franchisee.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor shall have the option, exercisable by written notice within 30 days after the termination of this Agreement, to take an assignment of all telephone numbers (and associated listings) for the Franchised Restaurant
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
All IHOP Restaurants must be compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (“PCI”).
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
In addition to the rights granted to Franchisor under Section 10.07, Franchisor and its Affiliate shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to enter the Franchised Restaurant and other business offices to inspect (including the right to inspect point-of-sale systems, and other equipment, as applicable…
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 14
We have the right to modify or supplement the Operations Manuals upon notice or delivery to you.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
You may not develop a Restaurant until we have issued our acceptance of the site.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee may not develop, create, generate, own, license, lease or use in any manner any computer medium or electronic medium (including any internet home page, website, social media site, including those utilizing mobile technology, bulletin board, newsgroup or other internet-related medium) which in any way uses…
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesItem 11
Except for certain non-traditional venues, all domestic restaurants must participate in the program.
Operations
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesFranchise agreement
shall be purchased and procured by Franchisee from Franchisor or its Affiliate (if offered by Franchisor or its Affiliate), from approved suppliers or distributors designated by Franchisor or its Affiliate, or from suppliers or distributors selected by Franchisee and not disapproved in writing by Franchisor or its…
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must purchase equipment and procure services from an approved vendor approved for credit card processing services.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee hereby irrevocably consents to the inspection of such financial statements by Franchisor or its Affiliate and to Franchisor’s use of such financial statements, at Franchisor’s election, in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall participate in any of Franchisor’s gift card programs.
People
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
By way of illustration and without limitation, such standard procedures, policies, rules and regulations may or will specify accounting records and information, payment procedures, specifications for required supplies and purchases, including Trademarked Products, hours of operation, advertising and promotion…
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
Subject to some exceptions, you must purchase or lease, depending on the program, an IHOP-approved POS computer system.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
IHOP will have the right to access all the information (including sales and financial data) and the systems that generate them for marketing, audit and sales verification purposes and to retrieve transaction information including sales mix, usage and other operations data both in person and electronically through the…
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
While additional training and refresher courses are offered by IHOP from time to time, you are not required to attend unless attendance is deemed essential by IHOP.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor shall have the right to require Franchisee, its Designated Representative (if applicable), or the manager employed by Franchisee for the Franchised Restaurant, to attend at least one management seminar per year if Franchisor deems attendance to be essential.
The filing answers no to 4 questions
- Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?Item 6
- Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?Item 11
- Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11
- Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?Franchise agreement
The vendor opportunity at IHOP IHOP operates as a restaurant brand headquartered in Pasadena, California, inside the Dine Brands Global portfolio alongside Applebee's and Fuzzy's Taco Shop. As of December 28, 2025 there were 1,681 franchised IHOP Restaurants in the U.S. and U.S. Territories, plus 12 IHOP brand restaurants operated by IHOP or its affiliates. The footprint maps to 1,138 operators, 66 of them multi-unit, with California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Virginia holding the largest concentrations.
Who controls software purchasing IHOP's franchise agreement is centrally mandated on its core tech stack. Franchisees must use Ingenico payment devices (Lane3000, Move5000, Moby tablets) purchased through FreedomPay, and must use FreedomPay's EMV processing as part of the credit card gateway. Dine Brands' Acting Chief Information Officer Chris Padilla and IHOP President Lawrence Kim are the relevant buying-center contacts at headquarters.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required The filing designates Tray as the current approved POS system, running on approved hardware including terminals and tablets; the Tray POS system is supplied by Vendsy, Inc. Ingenico devices and Olo are both mandated — Olo for the delivery dispatch platform and as the current approved online-ordering provider. All franchisees are required to use Mobile Device Management on all hardware in the restaurant, currently provided by Esper. Punchh is required to be enabled as part of the IHOP loyalty program, and every restaurant must have a KDS to monitor and organize orders.
Procurement, renewals, and timing IHOP's Item 19 makes a financial performance representation for the system. Item 8 requires franchisees to buy all their requirements for the proprietary pancake mixes, egg batter and Belgian waffle batter from IHOP, an IHOP Affiliate or IHOP-designated distributors; trademarked products such as dishware, menus and syrup pitchers may be bought from IHOP, from suppliers IHOP designates, or from suppliers the franchisee chooses that IHOP approves. The term equals the term of the lease and is typically 20 years, with a Renewal Term of not more than 10 years.
How to read the IHOP FDD The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document below spells out the exact Ingenico, FreedomPay and Tray POS mandate language. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked list of Dine Brands Global systems worth pitching next.
Ordinary royalty terms
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.
Questions vendors ask
IHOP, answered from the filing
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Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
1,138 operators run 1,629 mapped locations. 66 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Top states by locations
| CA | 221 |
|---|---|
| TX | 209 |
| FL | 142 |
| GA | 81 |
| VA | 65 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind IHOP
Ownership: Dine Brands Global.
Sibling brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.