DineEquity (NYSE: DIN) is a United States company that both franchises and operates restaurants. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company was founded originally as IHOP (International House Of Pancakes) and changed its corporate identity after it acquired Applebee's.[1] On July 16, 2007, IHOP Corp. announced its intent to acquire the bar-and-grill chain Applebee's International, Inc. in an all-cash transaction, valued at approximately US$2.1 billion. Under the deal, IHOP paid $25.50 per share for Applebee's. IHOP stated it would franchise most of Applebee's 500 company-owned stores. Applebee's has 1,943 restaurants overall worldwide, including those operated by franchisees.[2]
Julia Stewart, who originally worked as a waitress at IHOP and worked her way up through the restaurant industry, became Chief Executive Officer of IHOP Corp. She had previously been President of Applebee’s, but left after being overlooked for that company's CEO position. She became CEO of IHOP in 2001, and returned to manage her old company due to the acquisition. [3]
With a larger than 70% vote, Applebee's stockholders approved the takeover, which closed on November 29, 2007. The deal beat 26 other offers to purchase the economically slumping Applebee's. A number of executives from Applebee's voted against the offer, the chain's largest individual shareholder, Applebee's director Burton "Skip" Sack plans to take IHOP to court to demand a higher amount of money to be paid to him as the purchasing price that IHOP is giving is unfair to the shareholders of Applebee's. As part of the purchase, a brand re-marketing scheme and revitalization of the Applebee's image was undertaken.[4]
On July 9, 2009 DineEquity, Inc. announced the appointment of Mr. Daniel J. Brestle to the Company's Board of Directors[5], the Board's Compensation Committee and as an independent director. Currently, DineEquity has eleven Board members, including Brestle.
"Brestle recently served as vice chairman and president of Estee Lauder Companies Inc. North America, a position he retired from in June 2009 after spending more than 30 years in leadership positions within the Lauder organization and its family of brands." [6]