IHOP names new CEO

Karen S. Kim

DOWNTOWN -- Julia Stewart might not officially take over the reins of

IHOP Corp. until Friday, but she’s already spent the last six months

getting her feet wet.

Since she became the company’s president and chief operating officer

in December, Stewart, 46, has spent much of her tenure visiting hundreds

of franchised and company-operated IHOP restaurants to better understand

the corporation and her role as the incoming chief executive officer.

“When she came on board as the president and chief operating officer,

it was announced at that time that in six months, she would become chief

executive officer,” IHOP Spokesman Patrick Lenow said. “She’s been

received extremely well by both franchisees and employees and has just

brought a new spirit of excitement to the organization.”

On Friday, Stewart will officially succeed Richard Kim Herzer, who has

served as the company’s chairman and chief executive officer since 1983.

Herzer will continue to serve as chairman of IHOP after Stewart takes

over.

Stewart has worked in the restaurant industry for 30 years, completing

her most recent stint as president of the domestic division of Applebee’s

Restaurant.

Following Stewart’s assessment of IHOP’s restaurants, the new chief

executive officer will begin working with the senior management team on a

future growth strategy for the company, Lenow said.

Glendale-based IHOP Corp. is the owner, operator and franchiser of the

International House of Pancakes restaurant chain, which includes 1,028

restaurants in 41 states and Canada.

“[Herzer] and the team at IHOP have built an unmatched brand in the

industry and a restaurant concept that has endured as an American icon

for more than 43 years.” Stewart said in a statement. “I am honored to be

a part of this heritage.”