Should We Call It ‘AppleHop’ or ‘HopBee’s’ When the Restaurant Chains Merge in New England?

It happened with fast food giants Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Whether you drive through or dine inside, you can order from both menus at the many Taco Bell-KFC combos around the country.

Now can we do the same thing with Applebee's Bar + Grill and IHOP, which is actually International House of Pancakes (but nobody says that?).

While Maine has four IHOPs and 12 Applebee's, New Hampshire has six IHOPs and 13 Applebee's. Massachusetts enjoys 22 IHOPs and 24 Applebee's, so will some close while others merge?

Here's the deal on this talk of the dining world. According to CBS, both major chains have one parent, so to speak. Dine Brands Inc. owns both restaurants, and is considering blending the two while still offering each menu.

Basically, the plan is to have two different entrances into the same restaurant. Whether you enter through the Applebee's door or the IHOP door, the same back-of-house and kitchen will be making your meals.

As a matter of fact, the concept is already being tested in Leon, Mexico, and other international cities, according to CBS. This dual-branded concept will actually make twice as much money as the traditional, standalone locations because they cater breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eating.

You can sit on either side and order off both menus too, according to the Nation's Restaurant News website. While Applebee's doesn't do breakfast, you can still sit on that side and order IHOP during that time if the IHOP side is filled up.  It's about efficiency for diners as well, according to USA Today, and the goal is to launch the first few hybrid chains by early 2025.

From urban to suburban and small college towns, it's all open, according to the first combo Applebee's and IHOP restaurant. These chains do well everywhere, and since we have all that variety throughout New England, I'm sure we'll see some combos appear even if our favorite one closes.

As for a name change? Nope. Both signs will be in front, and branding will stay the same (for the most part).