Updated at 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 21:
A brand new “fast-casual” breakfast concept is headed to west Lawrence: flip’d by IHOP.
The menu at flip’d “borrows inspiration from iconic IHOP favorites,” according to a news release from the company. Some all-day selections include pancake bowls, egg sandwiches, burritos and bowls, steakburgers and fries, and chicken sandwiches.
There will also be grab-and-go salads, wraps and freshly baked goods, plus fresh pressed orange juice and some specialty espresso beverages, according to the news release.
The restaurant will have signature pancake bowls, such as strawberry banana — banana pancakes, fresh strawberries and bananas and whipped topping — as well as build-your-own bowls. Those can include pancakes, steel-cut oatmeal or vanilla Greek yogurt as a base, and a variety of toppings such as blueberries, strawberries, fruit compotes, chocolate chips and sprinkles, caramel sauce and more, according to the release.
And the burritos and bowls are “designed for all hours of the day, with options like The Garden with scrambled eggs, cheesy crispy potatoes, baby arugula & spinach, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, sliced avocado and avocado cream; or The Late Night with diced Black Angus Steakburger over cheesy French fries, topped with Jack & Cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, pickles & IHOP sauce,” the release says.
“The new brand aims to address the growing demand for made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner that is convenient and fresh, all at a great value,” the release says.
The concept is different from the traditional sit-down offerings of the International House of Pancakes: visitors will order from a digital kiosk or at the counter. Food can also be ordered online in advance to be delivered or picked up from a to-go area.
“While we know there is a pent-up demand for a return to dining in restaurants, we anticipate that our delivery and takeout business is here to stay as consumer needs continue to shift and they seek out different ways to experience IHOP favorites,” Jay Johns, President of IHOP, said in the release.
Construction is underway at the building that recently housed Zaxby’s, 4661 Bauer Farm Drive. It closed on Feb. 10, 2020, as part of a “strategic business decision based on several factors, including business performance and local market conditions,” according to a note posted there.
The IHOP offshoot is new not only to Lawrence, but nationwide — the first flip’d locations are set to open this summer in New York City. Lawrence was selected along with two Ohio cities, Columbus and Dublin, for the next three sites, according to the news release.
IHOP initially announced flip’d back in December 2019 with a focus on larger metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Washington D.C., Denver and San Francisco. But the company has since shifted to include “suburban areas and non-traditional venues.”
A spokesperson for IHOP couldn’t immediately be reached via phone or email Monday.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
