OREANDA-NEWS. October 10, 2013. Hartsfield-Jackson Airport officials welcomed IHOP® Restaurants for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the company’s first-ever airport location. The “IHOP Express” is run by franchisee Global Concessions, Inc., an experienced operator of airport concessions, and will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We’re pleased to be able to add another terrific option to the diverse array of dining choices at the world’s busiest airport,” said Louis Miller, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson. “IHOP is one of the country’s truly iconic restaurant brands, and it’s exciting to be able to offer this to travelers in the atrium of the Airport’s domestic terminal.”

The new “IHOP Express” is approximately 3,000 square feet, with a seating capacity for 120 guests, and is located in the atrium before security checkpoints. In addition to sit-down service, the “IHOP Express” features a “Grab and Go” section, where guests can purchase some of their favorite IHOP menu items to enjoy during their flight. This location will also serve a selection of beer and wine, as well as provide a place for guests to store their luggage while they dine.

“While we have been looking to enter what we think will be an extremely lucrative market with great visibility for our internationally known brand, we needed both the right location and the right franchisee,” said Julia Stewart, Interim President of International House of Pancakes LLC, as well as Chairman and CEO of its parent company, DineEquity Inc. “With this ‘IHOP Express,’ we’ve found both. We are proud to be part of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Terry Harps and Global Concessions, Inc. bring the perfect combination of experience for this type of venue, as well as a shared commitment to excellence in operations and cuisine that our guests expect — and deserve — when they visit any IHOP restaurant.

“This ‘IHOP Express’ marks an important step in our continued expansion into non-traditional venues like airports and colleges,” Stewart added. “While we are starting at the top with the world’s busiest airport, we hope this will be the first of many airport locations to come, throughout the country and around the world.”

“It has been a pleasure working with my colleagues at IHOP. We are delighted to have this opportunity to bring one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved brands to this airport and to provide all our guests the great service, value, and classic menu items that have made IHOP famous for more than 55 years,” said Terry Harps, President of Global Concessions, Inc.

“Together, we designed a modern, yet very comfortable and accessible restaurant,” he continued, “one that we’re sure will serve as a gathering place for friends and associates meeting before they depart or when they arrive from their flight, as well as a gathering place for airport workers and the local community.”