New IHOP® Aberdeen, MD Opening Combines Corporate Branding with Community Engagement

Aberdeen, MD; October 19, 2016 - Elected officials and business community leaders from Aberdeen and Harford County welcomed and saluted brothers Sanjay and Neal Patel as they cut the ribbon on a 5,650 square foot, 196-seat IHOP® Aberdeen located at 980 Hospitality Way. This is the fourth IHOP location for developers Imperio Groups.

Mayor Patrick McGrady, Harford County Council Member Patrick Vincenti, Harford Economic Deputy Director Stephen Overbay, former Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce President Louise Costello and Thomas Knapp, representing Maryland State Senator Robert Cassilly, commended the Patels for creating a family-friendly eatery that embraces energy efficiencies and environment-friendly equipment.

The mayor and elected officials noted that families from Aberdeen and Harford County as well as travelers coming off Interstate 95 to visit the Aberdeen Proving Ground military base or the nearby Ripken baseball complex will be thrilled with this IHOP. They were pleased that the restaurant will create many full and part time jobs. They congratulated the Patels’ and they are certain that they and IHOP will quickly become an integral part of the local business community.

Mr. Overbay mentioned that the presence of an internationally-recognized brand name such as IHOP validated the sustainable growth Aberdeen is currently undergoing. Many businesses have come to the area recently and having IHOP in the mix to serve the community shows the region is moving in the right direction.

“The Aberdeen location – right off Interstate 95, equi-distant between a Ripken baseball complex and a military base – made the selection of the location and an easy decision,” Imperio Group president Sanjay Patel said. “The open arms with which we were welcomed, and the local officials’ doing everything they can to make this happen proves their commitment to the community.”

Imperio Groups is a multi-state real estate and development company led by brothers Sanjay and Neal Patel specializing in franchised restaurants, hospitality properties, commercial real estate, education services and international/domestic business consulting. Their Restaurant Division operates seven restaurants led by Ed Auld, Don Ohl and James Cavagnaro and is expected to open ten more during 2017.

The Aberdeen IHOP® restaurant celebrated its grand opening on Monday, October 17, kicking kick off a week of festivities including dining specials and family fun. The restaurant will support the local economy and is expected to create between 70 to 80 full and part time jobs to the Harford County region.

“Aberdeen is a vibrant and active community with many businesses,” said Sanjay Patel president of Imperio Groups. “When you factor in the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Grounds, The Ripken Experience Aberdeen baseball complex and bustling exit 85 off of Interstate 95, you see there is a strong demand for quality food around the clock. Our new restaurant and our approximately 80 full and part time employees are ready to provide the service and quality the IHOP® brand is known for worldwide.”

Opening week festivities include:
- Dining special: Kids Eat Free every day 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Tuesday (10/18)
- Face Painting 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dining special - $1 Short Stack of Buttermilk Pancakes and 2x2x2 Breakfast Combo $4.99

Wednesday (10/19)
Balloon Art 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Dining special Buy One Entrée Get One Free Entrée of equal or lesser value with purchase of 2 beverages

Thursday (10/20)
-Balloon Art 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
-Dining special $5 off purchase of $25 (Does not include tax & gratuity)

The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 6 a.m. until 12 a.m. It will be transitioning to 24/7 hour operations in the near future.

The new restaurant has been built according to the brand’s latest architectural designs – highlighting the new IHOP logo, launched in June 2015.

For over 58 years, International House of Pancakes, LLC has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of June 30, 2016, there were 1,685 IHOP restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and the Philippines. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc.!(NYSE: DIN).

Imperio Group is a multi-state real estate and development company specializing in franchised restaurants, hospitality properties, commercial real estate, education services and international/domestic business consulting. The company operates seven restaurant locations and is expected to open ten more during 2017. The company operates in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. For more information email Info@ImperioGroups.com

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Photo 3441: Members of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and Town Council join Mayor Patrick L. McGrady (mid left), and entrepreneurs Neal Patel (mid right) and Sanjay Patel (third right) along with their family during a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of the new Aberdeen, MD IHOP Restaurant on Monday, October 17, 2016. Monday’s grand opening is being followed by a week-long celebration comprised of events and food specials. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations

Photo 3284: Pictured is the exterior of the newly opened IHOP in Aberdeen, MD, located at 980 Hospitality Way, which is the fourth IHOP location for developers Imperio Groups. Located near the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground and The Ripken Experience Aberdeen baseball complex, Aberdeen, MD’s new IHOP marked grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, October 17, 2016 that is being followed by a week-long celebration comprised of events and food specials. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations

Photo 3371: Pictured is management and staff of the newly opened IHOP in Aberdeen, MD located at 980 Hospitality Way, which is the fourth IHOP location for developers Imperio Groups. Located near the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground and The Ripken Experience Aberdeen baseball complex, Aberdeen, MD’s new IHOP marked grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, October 17, 2016 that is being followed by a week-long celebration comprised of events and food specials. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations

Photo 3273: Patrons enjoy dining inside the newly opened IHOP Restaurant in Aberdeen, MD following a ribbon cutting ceremony held marking its grand opening on Monday, October 17, 2016. Monday’s grand opening is being followed by a week-long celebration comprised of events and food specials. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations