DineEquity Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

Glendale, Calif. — DineEquity, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® and IHOP® restaurants, has appointed Stephen P. Joyce as its new chief executive officer, effective September 12, 2017. He joins DineEquity from Choice Hotels, where he served as CEO.

“We are excited to announce Steve’s appointment as chief executive officer,” says Caroline W. Nahas, lead director of DineEquity, Inc. “Steve has a long and proven track record of successfully leading global consumer franchised businesses. While serving as chief executive officer of Choice Hotels, Steve was instrumental in developing a robust performance-based culture, placing an emphasis on agility and innovation and creating momentum and opportunity for the company, franchisees and shareholders. He was also responsible for driving significant growth during one of the most challenging markets in the industry’s history. Throughout his three decades of senior leadership in the hospitality and restaurant industries, Steve has accumulated a wealth of experience in franchising, marketing, operations, finance and development. These skills ideally position him to execute upon and enhance our turnaround initiative for Applebee’s and our growth plans for IHOP.”  

Richard J. Dahl, chairman of the board and interim CEO, will remain as chairman and will continue to serve as interim CEO until Joyce assumes the role of CEO on September 12, 2017. Joyce will remain on the board of directors.

Stephen P. Joyce has served as CEO and member of the board of directors of Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest hotel companies with over 6,500 hotels franchised in more than 40 countries and territories, since June 2008. 

Prior to joining Choice Hotels, Joyce served as executive vice president, global development/owner and franchise services for Marriott International, Inc., where he was responsible for the development of Marriott’s hospitality brands worldwide.

Based in Glendale, Calif., DineEquity, Inc., through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,700 restaurants combined in 19 countries and approximately 400 franchisees, DineEquity is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information, visit www.dineequity.com.

SOURCE: DineEquity, Inc.

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