IHOP and Applebee’s Unite: Three Dual-Concept Restaurants Coming to San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO – The Alamo City’s dining scene is getting a major shake-up as IHOP and Applebee’s team up to bring not one, but three dual-branded restaurants to San Antonio by 2026. This bold move blends IHOP’s famous breakfast comfort food with Applebee’s casual American favorites — all in one location — promising a one-stop destination for pancakes at sunrise and burgers at sundown.
What’s New at IHOP–Applebee’s
Texas first got a taste of the IHOP–Applebee’s combo earlier this year in Seguin, a move that drew plenty of attention for its unusual pairing. Now, San Antonio is joining the party with three locations:
- Marbach Road – The only site being built from the ground up, this $1.2 million project is already under construction and set for completion by March 6, 2026.
- 1500 SW Loop 410 – An existing IHOP undergoing a $400,000 renovation to make room for Applebee’s, with construction starting September 2, 2025, and finishing by March 25, 2026.
- 9911 I-10 – Another existing IHOP being transformed, with work starting November 2025 and an expected opening date of May 1, 2026.
This concept means guests can order Applebee’s riblets alongside IHOP’s iconic buttermilk pancakes — a dining mashup that has potential to appeal to nearly everyone in the family.
Inside the Menu and Experience
The beauty of this dual-brand model lies in its variety. Early risers can stick to IHOP’s famous breakfast plates — think stuffed French toast, omelets, and endless coffee refills — while lunch and dinner crowds can dive into Applebee’s burgers, pasta, and sizzling skillets.
From a customer’s perspective, the pairing feels like a win for convenience. There’s no “where should we eat?” debate when both menus are available all day. Parents can enjoy the relaxed Applebee’s vibe while their kids stick to IHOP’s kid-friendly pancake combos. For late-night diners, Applebee’s bar offerings paired with IHOP’s dessert pancakes create an unexpected but tempting mix.
Author’s Take: Personally, I think this is one of the smartest plays in casual dining we’ve seen in years. As someone who’s done many “breakfast-for-dinner” runs, the idea of ordering both a BBQ brisket burger and a short stack in the same meal is dangerously appealing. It also makes perfect sense in a city like San Antonio, where late-night spots and all-day breakfast have strong followings.
Community Buzz and What’s Next
The buzz in Seguin, where the first Texas IHOP–Applebee’s launched, suggests that the San Antonio openings will draw curious crowds. Social media posts from the Seguin location often feature diners proudly showing off both menus side-by-side, a novelty that’s clearly a selling point.
All three San Antonio locations are connected to Ramzi Hakim, president of R. Hakim Corp., a San Antonio-based restaurant group known for developing high-traffic dining spots in the area.
Industry analysts say these hybrid concepts could help both brands strengthen their market share without the cost of opening separate buildings — something especially important as construction costs and staffing challenges rise.
For now, construction crews are already at work on the Marbach site, with the other two transformations following closely behind. By the middle of 2026, San Antonio could be the unofficial IHOP–Applebee’s capital of Texas.
What do you think about IHOP and Applebee’s sharing a roof? Would you order pancakes with your burger or keep them separate? Share your thoughts with us at CityScoopNow.com and join the conversation!