Dine Brands Global (DIN) Q3 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Q3 revenue rose 15.1% to $248.9M from $216.1M, largely reflecting acquired and opened company-owned restaurants; adjusted EBITDA was flat at $49.0M.

• Applebee’s and IHOP posted positive domestic comps; priorities included value and menu innovation, remodels, dual-brand expansion and improving the company-owned portfolio.

Financial highlights

• Company-owned restaurant revenue increased $36.9M in Q3 and $67.8M in 9M, largely following Applebee’s acquisitions; franchise revenue declined $2.3M in Q3 and $11.4M in 9M.

• Q3 gross profit was $84.7M vs. $84.6M; G&A was $51.6M vs. $50.2M, and income before taxes was $6.7M vs. $10.0M.

• Q3 net income available to common stockholders was $4.5M and diluted EPS was $0.37 vs. $7.0M and $0.48; adjusted net income was $10.1M and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.82 vs. $10.5M and $0.73.

• 9M revenue rose to $715.0M from $661.7M; net income available to common stockholders was $15.9M vs. $28.1M, and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.85 vs. $2.94.

• Excluding advertising revenue, franchise revenue fell 1.5%, reflecting fewer franchise restaurants, lower termination fees and lower proprietary product sales.

Outlook and guidance

• Full-year financial guidance was maintained at the low end; Q4 sales volume was expected to be similar to Q3, with fewer construction-related closure days supporting company-owned restaurant performance.

• Q4 trends were mixed: Applebee’s started somewhat soft, then strengthened after September and into October; IHOP maintained momentum.

• Management expected value-conscious consumer behavior amid food-away-from-home inflation and higher gas prices to persist into 2027.

• Management cited the asset-light model, scale and capital structure as supporting continued investment and shareholder returns; the 2027 dual-brand pipeline was described as the strongest in six years.