Form 8-K - Current report

Date: February 5, 2025

DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC.

/s/ Christine K. Son

Christine K. Son

Senior Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Secretary

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 5, 2025

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware

001-15283

95-3038279

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(Commission

File No.)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

10 West Walnut Street, 5th Floor

Pasadena, California

91103

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(818) 240-6055

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

symbol(s)

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

DIN

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On February 5, 2025, Dine Brands Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), announced Tony E. Moralejo, President, Applebee’s Business Unit, will be departing his current role with the Corporation, effective as of March 4, 2025. Mr. Moralejo will be entitled to receive severance payments in accordance with the Corporation’s Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan. Mr. Moralejo will remain with the Corporation in an advisory role to assist in the transition of the role until June 4, 2025. The Corporation has initiated a process to appoint a successor. Until a successor is appointed, John W. Peyton, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, will also serve as Interim President, Applebee’s Business Unit.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 5, 2025, the Corporation issued a press release announcing the departure of Mr. Moralejo. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is also available on the Corporation’s website at www.dinebrands.com.

The information contained in this Item 7.01, including the related information set forth in Exhibit 99.1, is being “furnished” and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise. The information in this Item 7.01 shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or into any filing or other document pursuant to the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in any such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.


Exhibit Number		Description

99.1		Press Release issued by the Corporation on February 5, 2025.

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

News Release

Media Contact

Susan Nelson

Dine Brands Global

MediaInquiries@dinebrands.com

Dine Brands Announces Executive Leadership Changes

Dine Brands CEO John Peyton to serve as Interim Applebee’s President

Tony Moralejo to Step Down as Applebee’s President

PASADENA, Calif., February 5, 2025 – Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar^®, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop^®, and IHOP^®, today announced that Tony Moralejo will step down as Applebee’s President, effective March 4, 2025, and will serve as an advisor to the company through June 4, 2025. John Peyton, CEO, Dine Brands, will assume the role of Interim Applebee’s President while continuing in his current capacity.

“Tony and I share a deep respect for the DNA of Applebee’s and we are all grateful for his contributions since he took on this role two years ago. He has navigated a challenging economic environment, led an outstanding team, and strengthened our relationships with franchisees. I’m incredibly thankful for his leadership—he embodies what great leadership looks like. I look forward to building on his work and accelerating our plans to grow the brand and achieve superior results,” says John Peyton, Dine Brands CEO.

“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve as President of this exceptional brand. Leading this remarkable team and working alongside our dedicated franchise partners over the past two years has been an incredible experience,” added Tony Moralejo, departing Applebee’s President.

The company has initiated a nationwide search for a new leader for Applebee’s with proven expertise in brand stewardship, restaurant operations and marketing. In the meantime, Peyton will oversee the brand, collaborating with the executive team and franchisees to capitalize on growth opportunities across key areas, including digital experience, menu innovation, in-restaurant dining, off-premise, and domestic expansion.

Peyton, a seasoned brand executive, joined Dine Brands in January 2021 as CEO and brings a proven track record in operations, development, and franchisee relations. Before joining Dine Brands, he served as President and CEO of Realogy Franchise Group, following a 17-year tenure as a senior executive at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. A recognized leader in global branding, he has extensive experience in managing large, complex organizations, driving growth at scale, and fostering innovation while maintaining operational flexibility.

About Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar^®, IHOP^® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop^® brands. As of September 30, 2024, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 19 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website at www.dinebrands.com.

Document and Entity Information	Feb. 05, 2025
Cover [Abstract]
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000049754
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Feb. 05, 2025
Entity Registrant Name	Dine Brands Global, Inc.
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-15283
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-3038279
Entity Address, Address Line One	10 West Walnut Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	5th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Pasadena
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	91103
City Area Code	(818)
Local Phone Number	240-6055
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Security 12b Title	Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
Trading Symbol	DIN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false