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Released: September 1, 2009

IHOP to join slew of area breakfast eateries

By JOE GIESSLER
The Eagle-Gazette Staff

LANCASTER — The skillets are heating up and soon residents will have a new place to satisfy their breakfast cravings. The grand opening of the area’s first International House of Pancakes, 1585 River Valley Circle, will be 6 a.m. Tuesday. (Sept. 8)

Womack Restaurants -- the franchise owner of the Lancaster IHOP -- has hired about 150 people to staff the breakfast giant.

Womack Restaurants owner Scott Womack is excited about the Lancaster location and is confident the restaurant will be a success in the local market.

"Lancaster is just a dynamite town for restaurants and a great fit for who we are," he said. "There is a good employee base and good customer base. It’s just a great town."

Lynn Roberts, 68, of Logan, plans to eat at the new restaurant with his wife and grandchildren after it opens. "I like (IHOP) and it’s nice to see a new restaurant coming to the area," he said. "I don’t have a favorite dish, but I really like their pancakes."

California-based IHOP is known for its pancakes and breakfast meals served throughout the day. The restaurant chain, founded in 1958, had nearly 1,400 restaurants across the country in 2008.

The Lancaster IHOP will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and will be open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Womack said the restaurant likely will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week after the first month of operation.

The restaurant seats about 220 people including a 32-person banquet room.

IHOP adds to the growing list of the area’s breakfast eateries. Among the established restaurants are Bob Evans, 2157 Schorrway Drive, and Scramblers of Lancaster, 1377 Ety Point Drive. Waffle House, 1380 Election House Road, is scheduled to open in late September or early October.

Womack is not concerned about the number of breakfast restaurants and said the competition can be a good thing.

"Obviously you don’t want more and more restaurants if it can be helped," he said. "But on the other hand, companies like Bob Evans have helped to create the market for this type of business."

Tim Curtiss, 53, and his daughter, Christa Curtiss, 15, of Ashville, are looking forward to the new IHOP opening near River Valley Mall, which is where they were shopping Tuesday.

"They have good French toast," Christa Curtiss said. Tim Curtiss knows exactly what he will order when he stops by the new restaurant. "(I’ll get) their omelets," he said. "They are huge!"

Additional Facts

If you go:

What: IHOP grand opening

When: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 8)

Where: 1585 River Valley Circle

Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; open 24 hours Fridays and Saturdays

Source: Womack Restaurants