Pasadena, Calif. — IHOP®, a leader in the family dining restaurant sector, has announced that Jay Johns will retire after 16 years at Dine Brands and nearly 6 years as president of IHOP. Johns will step down from his role on January 6, 2025, but will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity until March 2025. Lawrence Kim, previously chief innovation officer at YUM! Brands, has been appointed president designee, effective October 21, 2024, and will assume the title of IHOP president on January 6, 2025.
Since joining Dine in 2012, Johns has held various leadership roles focused on improving restaurant performance and operations. As the president of IHOP, Johns successfully navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic, helping IHOP adapt through increased off-premise dining, curbside pickup and delivery services. He has also prioritized modernizing the brand through digital initiatives and technology, including launching its loyalty program, making IHOP more accessible to a tech-savvy guest base.
Johns’ leadership also drove operational improvements to enhance guest experience and adapt to changing consumer habits. His tenure as IHOP president is marked by the brand’s strengthened market position, now operating more than 1,800 restaurants globally, including locations in 13 countries outside the U.S.
Kim brings over 20 years of leadership experience to IHOP, having held senior leadership roles in top-tier restaurant chains including YUM! Brands where he most recently served as chief innovation officer, and earlier in his career at Taco Bell, Samsung and Procter & Gamble. At IHOP, Kim will oversee the continued expansion of the brand, with a focus on innovation, guest experience and restaurant development growth.
For more than 65 years, IHOP has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, lunch and dinner. As of June 30, 2024, there are 1,811 IHOP restaurants around the world, including restaurants in all 50 states, two U.S. territories and 13 countries outside the United States. IHOP restaurants are franchised by affiliates of Pasadena, Calif.-based Dine Brands Global, Inc.
SOURCE: IHOP