Applebee’s and IHOP to Roll Out Flybuy Pickup Nationwide

On Monday, Flybuy Pickup announced its new partnership with Dine Brands Global Inc., parent company of Applebee’s and IHOP and one of the world's largest full-service dining companies. Flybuy Pickups innovative, location-based pickup solution will roll out at Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants nationwide by the end of 2021. Dine Brands is leveraging Flybuy Pickup to help improve carside and in-restaurant pickup and delivery. This new technology has proven to reduce guest and driver wait times, maintain food freshness and remove friction in the pickup process for both guests and team members.

With off-premises and delivery in demand now more than ever, off-premise sales made up about 33 percent of the sales mix at both Applebee’s and IHOP as of March 30, 2021. Both brands have prioritized growing their off-premise offering and maintaining their industry leadership in the off-premise dining occasion through strategic investments in enabling technologies such as this. The addition of Flybuy Pickup will enhance and streamline the pickup experience and ensure guests, delivery drivers and team members all have a better experience.

Flybuy will be integrated directly into the Applebee’s and IHOP mobile and online ordering experiences. Guests simply place their orders through their mobile apps or on the brands’ websites, then drive to pick up their meals with no further action required. Meanwhile, the restaurant receives guest or delivery driver location updates and estimated time of arrival. Each order is fulfilled and prioritized based on the guest’s or delivery driver’s arrival time, enabling a smooth, fast and efficient handoff immediately upon arrival.

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience in our restaurants. Applebee’s was the first in casual dining to launch Carside To Go more than 15 years ago, and both brands have continued investing in emerging innovation and technology, like Flybuy Pickup, to meet our guests where they want to be—both inside and outside of our restaurants,” says Justin Skelton, Dine Brands Chief Information Officer.

Skelton adds, “This new solution allows us to personalize the pickup experience and get food to guests faster so they can enjoy their meal fresh and hot.”

Guest privacy is a priority at Dine Brands, and the company was careful to select a technology partner where customer privacy comes first. The guest’s location is only monitored with their full permission and is only active while they are using the service to pick up their order. All location tracking is disabled the moment the order has been picked up.

“Dine Brands is a leader in the industry with their off-premise program, and we are delighted to help them move seamlessly from a manual curbside pickup process to a location-based solution,” says Jeff Baskin, Flybuy’s Chief Business Officer. “Curbside pickup and delivery is quickly becoming the norm for takeout orders, and guest expectations for a completely frictionless and fast experience are expected. During the successful Flybuy pilot at Applebee’s and IHOP, restaurants saw an increase in pickup orders and repeat visits and lower wait times. More importantly, team members at both brands provided great feedback on the efficiencies they were experiencing with the new technology, which is extremely important with what is happening right now in the labor market. We are excited to fully deploy the solution with such iconic brands.”