Ontario will soon see several new IHOP restaurants.
The first is scheduled to open at the 10 Acre Truck Stop, a landmark location in Belleville.
It will be a “one-of-a-kind restaurant” and one of the first IHOPs to open in Ontario outside of Niagara Falls. Construction began this month, with an opening date of February 2022.
Kailash Kasal, president of K2 Group, signed a non-traditional restaurant franchisee deal with California-based Dine Brands International, a full-service dining company franchising IHOP and Applebee’s restaurants in Canada. The agreement calls for a minimum of five IHOP restaurant openings over the next five years in Belleville, Hamilton, Waterloo, London and Windsor.
“We are pleased to push forward with our international expansion plans and believe working with K2 Group creates the perfect opportunity to successfully build and grow our portfolio across Ontario,” said Tony Moralejo, Dine Brands International president. “We are optimistic that the market is well-positioned to get back to its pre-pandemic growth momentum as we bring jobs, as well as our local and hand-made to order menu items to our Canadian neighbors.”
K2 Group acquired the landmark 10 Acre Truck Stop in Belleville in May 2021 and improvements have led to increased traffic at the location.
With $2 million expected to be invested into the new restaurant, IHOP Belleville will employ over 60 staff and seat up to 184 guests.
“I am excited with the news of this further enhancement to the 10 Acre Truck Stop,” says Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “K2 Group has already invested significantly in the property, improving service and bringing back many former travellers to this iconic site. The addition of an IHOP restaurant is great news to our truckers and all residents.”