Less than three months after announcing that IHOP brand would be expanding to South America for the first time with restaurants in Peru, Dine Brands International announced today a deal that will continue its expansion into the continent by bringing the brand to Ecuador.

Through an agreement with new franchisee Restaurantes Unidos Restaunsa S.A., a total of 12 IHOP restaurant locations are expected to open throughout Ecuador by 2024. Restaurantes Unidos Restaunsa S.A. is part of the portfolio of Corporacion El Rosado (CER), which has a proven track record of success in bringing American brands to the country.

The first location is expected to open in 2019, and overall, the deal is expected to create more than 340 new jobs in the Ecuadorian economy.

IHOP, which was founded in 1958 and recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, has been a global brand since 1969 and currently has restaurants in 13 countries and two U.S. territories.  IHOP restaurants can be found in Canada, Mexico and Central America, the Middle East and Asia. The first location in South America is expected to open in 2019 in Lima, Peru.

“We are very pleased with the rapid progress of our announced strategy to focus on development in in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, and I am very excited by the pace in which the brand is expanding in South America,” says Steve Joyce, CEO of Dine Brands Global, Inc. and president of Dine Brands International.

“It’s especially gratifying that we are growing at this pace with the right franchisees who have the right experience and share our commitment to the Dine Brands mission: uniting communities over great food and memorable dining experiences, at our restaurants all over the world. Corporacion El Rosado is one of the most prominent companies in Ecuador, with great success in bringing other American brands to the country. I am confident their experience will establish IHOP as a leading restaurant brand in this great country as well.”

“The classic IHOP experience—world famous breakfast items any time of day along with the wide variety of lunch and dinner items served with warm hospitality—is unique and one we can’t wait to bring to our guests in Ecuador,” says John Czarninski, Executive President, Restaurantes Unidos Restaunsa S.A. and CER. “We’ve seen great acceptance from Ecuadorians when we’ve brought an authentic American experience to the country, and we are delighted to bring one of the most iconic American brands in the world to Ecuador.”

“Our expansion in Ecuador fits perfectly with our strategy of bringing the brand into contiguous countries, so that we can maximize our supply chain efficiency and operational support,” adds William Urrego, Vice President and General Manager, the Americas, Dine Brands Global, Inc.

“I personally have worked with the Czarninskis earlier in my career and I have tremendous respect for their commitment and their achievements in the market and am delighted to have the opportunity to work with them again,” Urrego continues. “Together, we look forward to being active members and contributors to the national Ecuadorian economy through both the new jobs we plan to create and the local supplies, construction, produce and taxes we hope to bring wherever and whenever we open new restaurants.”

“Our IHOP brand has found great acceptance in our Latin American markets, beginning in 2007 with Mexico—now our largest market outside of the United States—and continuing through to Guatemala, Panama and now with the addition of Peru and Ecuador,” says Dan Lecocq, Executive Director, International, Development, Dine Brands Global, Inc. “South America represents a tremendous opportunity for us and we are actively looking for highly qualified franchisees like Restaurantes Unidos Restaunsa S.A. to bring the brand to other countries throughout Central and South America.”