OUR STORY
Built on hard work.
Carried forward with heart.
From one restaurant in Arlington, Texas, to a family of teams across three states, our story has always been about people.
Where it all began
OUR BEGINNING
A lifetime of service.
A legacy that lives on.
John Anthraper’s journey with IHOP began in 1974 as an assistant manager in Denton, Texas. While building his career, he completed his Master of Business Administration in 1976.
He rose through the corporate ranks, becoming a Regional Director in 1992 with responsibility for more than 400 locations in the Northwest. In 1994, he opened his first IHOP as a franchisee in Arlington, Texas. Anthraper Restaurants was born.
A member of IHOP’s original Board of Advisors and a founding member of the Blue Roof Franchise Association, John mentored and influenced fellow franchisees throughout his career. His integrity, commitment, and compassion remain at the heart of the company.
A beginning in Denton
John joins IHOP as an assistant manager.A restaurant of our own
The first Anthraper IHOP opens in Arlington.The next chapter
John retires; Alex carries the family business forward.REMEMBERING OUR FOUNDER
John’s legacy is carried in the relationships he built and the people he encouraged. We honor him by bringing that same care to our teams, our guests, and our communities.
THE NEXT GENERATION
Alex Anthraper
President, CEO & Franchisee
Alex’s journey began alongside his father at the family’s Arlington IHOP in 1994. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1998, he worked for IHOP corporate before becoming a franchisee of record in 2002.
Under his leadership, Anthraper Restaurants has grown from four Texas locations to a multi-state operation. He was named IHOP’s Regional Franchisee of the Year in 2016 and has served the brand through its Franchise Leadership Council and the Blue Roof Franchise Association.
For Alex, leadership starts with empathy for the team, the guest, and the community. That commitment extends beyond the restaurants through support for children’s hospitals, food banks, veterans’ organizations, and the NAACP.
Our commitment to community
OUR LEADERSHIP
Behind every warm welcome is a team committed to helping others succeed. Meet the people who bring that commitment to life.
Vice President & Franchisee
Kim leads the company’s back-office operations, overseeing human resources, payroll, accounting, and internal processes. A TCU Accounting graduate, she joined the IHOP system in 2001 and has been integral to the company’s growth.
Her compassion, integrity, and work ethic shape the support our restaurant teams depend on every day.
Director of Operations
Jim joined Anthraper Restaurants in 2019 and leads the field operations team. He holds a degree in Management Information Systems from Eastern Illinois University and previously worked as a field consultant for Jimmy John’s and with franchise organizations across several states.
A dedicated servant leader, Jim brings loyalty, care, and a strong work ethic to his team.
Human Resources Director
Nancy focuses on employee relations, compliance, and policy development. She thrives on building strong relationships and finding thoughtful solutions to complex human resources challenges.
Outside of work, she enjoys walks with her dogs, reading, trying new recipes, and tackling word puzzles.
IN THE PAGES OF MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE
Second-Generation Operator Continues a 50-year IHOP Legacy
A profile of Alex Anthraper and the family business, by Kevin Behan.
Read the full article