The first-ever Applebee’s and IHOP combination restaurant at an airport is officially open for business.
The dual-branded joint opened on Tuesday at Dallas Love Field Airport, where guests of the popular chains will have the chance to mix and match menu items from both restaurants, marking the first airport in the world to offer this bold concept.
Yes, grab a basket of boneless wings and crêpes before catching your flight, if that’s your thing!
Who Can Eat There?
Lucky for residents in Dallas and those nearby, the joint venture is on the public access side of the airport, between the baggage claim area and the TSA security checkpoint.
The restaurant opens at 6 a.m. and closes when the last daily scheduled departure flight.
“Being the first airport to offer a dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP is a milestone for Dallas Love Field and for our passengers,” said Director of Aviation Patrick Carreno, in a statement. “This unique concept brings travelers more convenience and a dining experience they won’t find in another airport.”
The space, of course, features the warm, familiar atmosphere of Applebee’s and the bright, cheerful ambiance of IHOP.
This joint venture is still rather new. Texas was home to the country’s first dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP, which opened in February 2025. The company, at the time, announced it planned to open 14 more dual-branded locations in the U.S. through 2026, with the Dallas Love Field Airport location fitting into those plans.
There are more than a dozen dual-branded restaurants globally, including Mexico and the Middle East.
In Time for Applebee’s New Menu
The opening comes just as Applebee’s rolled out new menu items, including the O-M-Cheese Burger, which is served in a sizzling skillet of molten queso and a blend of cheddar cheeses.
And because every good chow-down needs to be washed down, Applebee’s is bringing back its $6 Mucho Smoocho Sips — just in time for Valentine’s Day, too — with drinks like the Tipsy Cupid (a spiked lemonade with Smirnoff Vodka). They’re also introducing the new Prickly Ever After Rita with Jose Cuervo’s Tradicional Blanco Tequila.
Not into booze? The lineup also includes a non-alcoholic prickly melon rush, featuring Red Bull watermelon.
Said Nate Grover, executive director of bar and beverage at Applebee’s, “Big drinks, full of flavor and made with premium spirits, our $6 Mucho cocktails or our new mocktail are perfect for the ultimate night out.”
