Dineequity Inc

DineEquity Inc. isn't a name that would be familiar to most people, but they've probably eaten at one of the Glendale company's well-known restaurant chains: Applebee's and IHOP. The first International House of Pancakes opened in 1958 in Toluca Lake, a family-friendly place that inspired the IHOP Corp. chain and introduced children to colored syrups and gooey, whipped-cream-covered chocolate-chip pancakes. That company acquired the larger Applebee's chain in 2007 and became DineEquity the following year.

DineEquity Inc. isn't a name that would be familiar to most people, but they've probably eaten at one of the Glendale company's well-known restaurant chains: Applebee's and IHOP. The first International House of Pancakes opened in 1958 in Toluca Lake, a family-friendly place that inspired the IHOP Corp. chain and introduced children to colored syrups and gooey, whipped-cream-covered chocolate-chip pancakes. That company acquired the larger Applebee's chain in 2007 and became DineEquity the following year.

The company: DineEquity Inc. Headquarters: Glendale Ticker: DIN Employees: 500 full-time corporate Leadership: Julia A. Stewart, chief executive of DineEquity and, before that, IHOP Corp. since 2001 2012 revenue: $850 million 2012 net income: $122.5 million Stock price: $72.64 at Friday's close 52-week range: $41.49 to $78.40 P/E ratio: 19, based on estimated 2013 earnings Quarterly dividend: 75 cents, a current yield of 4.1%

The company: DineEquity Inc. Headquarters: Glendale Ticker: DIN Employees: 500 full-time corporate Leadership: Julia A. Stewart, chief executive of DineEquity and, before that, IHOP Corp. since 2001 2012 revenue: $850 million 2012 net income: $122.5 million Stock price: $72.64 at Friday's close 52-week range: $41.49 to $78.40 P/E ratio: 19, based on estimated 2013 earnings Quarterly dividend: 75 cents, a current yield of 4.1%

The sudden departure of the chief financial officer and key strategist of the Glendale company that owns the Applebee's and IHOP restaurant chains sent shares of DineEquity Inc. tumbling 26% on Tuesday. Late Monday, DineEquity said Thomas Conforti was leaving the firm immediately to pursue "other opportunities." He was replaced by Controller Greggory Kalvin while the restaurant chain conducts a search for a new CFO. The surprise resignation spooked investors. Shares of DineEquity plunged $6.20 to close at $17.77 on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday turned down an appeal from Applebee's International Inc., which is battling a lawsuit from more than 5,500 bartenders and servers accusing the restaurant chain of underpaying them. The high court declined to hear Applebee's case, which focuses on a practice in which restaurants pay employees reduced minimum wage by factoring in the extra boost provided by tips. Known as a “tip credit,” the practice is banned in states such as California and Minnesota but permitted in Missouri, where many of the plaintiffs work.

DineEquity Inc., the Glendale-based owner of IHOP Restaurants and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, is making a heavy push toward franchising. More than 95% of the company's thousands of restaurants are now owned by entrepreneurs, DineEquity said Tuesday when it announced its first quarter earnings . The franchise model helps keep the company's balance sheet from wild swings, leading to a 5.5% boost in profit to $31.3 million, or $1.64 a share, from $29.7 million, or $1.53 a share during the same quarter a year earlier.

DineEquity Inc., the Glendale-based owner of the Applebee's and IHOP restaurant chains, had a strong fourth quarter after suffering a severe slump a year earlier. Several factors helped the recovery, including the company's increase in franchising, warmer weather that drew out more diners and remodeling efforts that have freshened up hundreds of Applebee's locations. Profit for the quarter that ended Dec. 31 jumped to $27.3 million, or $1.51 cents a share, compared with a loss of $58.1 million, or $3.33 cents a share, from the fourth quarter of 2010.

DineEquity Inc., the Glendale-based owner of the Applebee's and IHOP restaurant chains, had a strong fourth quarter after suffering a severe slump a year earlier. Several factors helped the recovery, including the company's franchising strategy, warmer weather that drew out more diners and remodeling efforts that have freshened up hundreds of Applebee's locations. Net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 jumped to $27.3 million, or $1.51 cents a share, from a loss of $58.1 million, or $3.33 cents a share, from the fourth quarter of 2010.

Could pancake peace be at hand? The International House of Pancakes has dropped its trademark infringement lawsuit against a church, agreeing to resolve its dispute with the International House of Prayer out of court. On Dec. 21, the restaurant chain dismissed its case against the church, with its lawyers citing "ongoing mediation with the defendants," according to documents filed in federal court in Los Angeles. The restaurant chain sued the church in September, alleging it misappropriated IHOP trademarks with its website, ihop.

The sudden departure of the chief financial officer and key strategist of the Glendale company that owns the Applebee's and IHOP restaurant chains sent shares of DineEquity Inc. tumbling 26% on Tuesday. Late Monday, DineEquity said Thomas Conforti was leaving the firm immediately to pursue "other opportunities." He was replaced by Controller Greggory Kalvin while the restaurant chain conducts a search for a new CFO. The surprise resignation spooked investors. Shares of DineEquity plunged $6.20 to close at $17.77 on Tuesday.

Glendale-based IHOP has served up a federal lawsuit against a church with ministries in Pasadena and elsewhere, alleging International House of Prayer is violating its trademark. The suit asks International House of Prayer to stop using "IHOP" and similar phrases, and seeks to have the court give the Web address ihop.org to the restaurant chain. Officials at the church, based in Kansas City, Mo., declined to comment. In a statement, church officials said they were aware of the lawsuit and reviewing the claims.

After watching more of their customers turn to drive-thrus for a quick morning meal, family dining restaurants such as Denny's and IHOP are fighting back. In an attempt to lure diners back to the breakfast table -- or at least to the curb -- the chains are introducing more portable products, offering to-go and curbside pickup programs and remodeling their locations.