GLENDALE Calif. IHOP president Desmond Hague is stepping down later this month after less than a year in the position, parent company DineEquity Inc. said Wednesday. Jim Peros, IHOP’s senior vice president of operations, will serve as interim president until a successor is found, officials said.
Hague, who previously was president of corporate perishables for Safeway Inc., replaced Julia Stewart as president of IHOP in July 2008, after the company bought the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar chain in 2007 and Stewart became chairman and chief executive of DineEquity, parent to the two brands. Officials said Hague is leaving the company to accept a chief executive role with another chain, but he declined to reveal his new position. His resignation is effective Feb. 20.
“We thank Des for his contributions to our company and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Stewart said. “We move ahead with the leadership team responsible for IHOP’s success over the past several years intact and focused on continuing the strong momentum we have built with the IHOP brand. Despite macro economic conditions, IHOP today remains number one in its category and our team maintains a laser-like focus on building upon our success to create an insurmountable lead in family dining.”
Peros joined IHOP in 2005 as executive director of operations services, and he was named vice president of operations in 2007. He was promoted to his current role in January.
DineEquity oversees a system of about 3,400 restaurants under the IHOP and Applebee's brands.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].