Kim has served as chief innovation officer at Yum Brands since 2021
IHOP president Jay Johns announced his retirement, effective Jan. 6. He will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity until March 2025.
Lawrence Kim, who since 2021 has served as chief innovation officer at Yum Brands – parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger & Grill – has been appointed president designee effective Oct. 21 and will assume the president role on Jan. 6.
Johns has been with IHOP parent company Dine Brands for 16 years, serving in various roles focused on restaurant performance and operations. He has been the president of IHOP for nearly six years, adapting the chain through the pandemic with increased off-premises business and a bigger focus on digital initiatives and technology, including the launch of its loyalty program – International Bank of Pancakes – in 2022.
Also under Johns’ guidance, IHOP has significantly expanded its menu offerings, including the introduction of all-day breakfast and the chain’s “largest menu evolution ever” last year.
"It has been an honor to lead IHOP and work alongside the hardest working team and franchisees in the industry," Johns said in a statement. "I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, and I have every confidence that Lawrence Kim will continue to drive the brand forward with passion and vision."
Kim brings over 20 years of leadership experience to IHOP, including most recently as chief innovation officer at Yum Brands, and earlier in his career at Taco Bell, Samsung, and Procter & Gamble. At IHOP, he will oversee the continued expansion of the brand, with a focus on innovation, guest experience, and restaurant development growth.
"Stepping into the leadership role of this iconic brand is a true privilege," Kim said in a statement. "I have cherished memories of dining at IHOP with family and friends, and I'm thrilled to join this exceptional team. Together with our dedicated franchisees, we'll work tirelessly to ensure that IHOP continues to be an integral part of family culture for generations to come.”
IHOP includes more than 1,800 restaurants globally in all 50 states, two U.S. territories and 13 countries outside the United States. In 2023, the chain generated nearly $3.4 billion in domestic sales, according to Technomic data.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
