IHOP Revamps Kitchen Efficiency with Innovative Cowl Grille Assembly

PASADENA, CA – October 26, 2023 – IHOP Restaurants LLC, the iconic breakfast, lunch, and dinner destination, announced today a behind-the-scenes upgrade aimed at boosting kitchen performance and ensuring consistently delicious meals. The company has been quietly rolling out a newly designed cowl grille assembly across select locations, and the initial feedback is overwhelmingly positive. You probably don't think about the stuff above the grill when you’re enjoying a stack of pancakes, but IHOP does. For years, they’ve been tweaking and improving everything from batter recipes to table service. Now, they’re tackling the workhorse of any restaurant kitchen: the ventilation system. Specifically, the cowl grille assembly, that crucial piece that sucks out all the smoke, grease, and smells from the cooking line. “Look, we’re IHOP,” says Michael Jackson, IHOP’s Senior Vice President of Restaurant Operations. “We serve millions of guests every year. That means a lot of cooking. And that means our kitchens get hot and smoky. Keeping the air clean and comfortable for our cooks is a huge deal – it impacts food quality, cook safety, and frankly, employee happiness.” The old-style cowl grilles, while functional, were prone to grease buildup, required frequent, intensive cleaning, and didn't always pull smoke quite as efficiently as IHOP wanted. This meant more maintenance downtime, potentially impacting service times, and a kitchen environment that wasn't always ideal. So, IHOP's team went back to the drawing board, working with leading kitchen ventilation engineers to design something better. The result? A completely redesigned cowl grille assembly that addresses these issues head-on. What's Different? A Closer Look The new assembly isn't a radical visual change – it still does its job of capturing cooking fumes. But the details are where the magic happens. Enhanced Grease Extraction: The redesigned baffle system within the cowl grille is the biggest upgrade. Instead of just passively collecting grease, the new design uses a more aggressive airflow pattern to actively pull grease particles away from the cooking surface and direct them towards the grease trap. This means less grease sticking to the assembly itself, and less frequent deep cleaning. Optimized Airflow: IHOP engineers spent months running simulations and testing different baffle configurations to find the sweet spot for airflow. The goal was to maximize fume capture without creating excessive backpressure that could hinder the cooking process. They found that a slightly wider baffle spacing, combined with a specific angled design, significantly improved performance. Improved Durability: Let’s face it, restaurant kitchens are tough environments. The new cowl grille assembly is built to withstand the heat, moisture, and constant cleaning that come with the territory. IHOP opted for heavier-gauge stainless steel and reinforced the critical connection points to ensure long-lasting reliability. Easier Maintenance: While the new assembly requires less frequent cleaning, it's also easier to clean when it is necessary. The redesigned baffle system is easily removable for thorough cleaning, and the smooth stainless steel surface resists grease buildup. IHOP provides specific cleaning guidelines and training to ensure consistent results. Pilot Program and Results Before rolling out the new assembly nationwide, IHOP conducted a pilot program at several locations in California and Texas. The results were impressive. “We saw a noticeable reduction in grease buildup on the cowl grille and surrounding surfaces,” says Sarah Chen, IHOP’s Regional Kitchen Manager. “Our cooks also reported a cleaner, more comfortable working environment. And, importantly, we saw a slight improvement in kitchen efficiency – less time spent cleaning means more time focused on preparing food.” The pilot program also revealed a few minor tweaks that were made before the final design was approved. For example, IHOP added a small lip to the bottom of the assembly to prevent drips and spills from landing on the floor. Looking Ahead IHOP plans to continue rolling out the new cowl grille assembly across its more than 1,750 restaurants over the next year. The company believes this seemingly small upgrade will have a significant impact on kitchen performance, employee morale, and ultimately, the guest experience. “At IHOP, we’re always looking for ways to improve,” says Jackson. “Sometimes, the biggest improvements come from focusing on the details. The new cowl grille assembly is a perfect example of that. It’s not something our guests will see, but it will definitely improve the food they enjoy.” IHOP Restaurants LLC is headquartered at 10 W Walnut St, 5th Floor, Pasadena, CA, 91103-3633, and can be reached at 913-917-3382. The company is committed to providing a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience for all its guests. This commitment extends to creating a positive and efficient work environment for its employees, starting with the tools they use every day.