IHOP plans store in Siloam Springs

Little Rock-based Golden Cakes Inc. is set to open by mid-January its 10th IHOP in Arkansas in a former restaurant building on U.S. Highway 412 in Siloam Springs.

The nearly 4,000-square-foot building at 3451 Highway 412 East, formerly Cotton Patch Cafe, is being remodeled into an IHOP.

Derrik Gunaca, president of Golden Cakes, said it has nine IHOP locations in Arkansas, including one in Fayetteville, and was looking to grow went it learned about the vacant building in Siloam Springs.

“This building happened to pop up on our radar,” Gunaca said. “We came out here took a look around, liked the city… and decided to go ahead and put in an offer on the building.”

The company is researching the business hours for the new restaurant. It will be open daily, but he doesn’t expect it will be open 24 hours every day. Hours will likely be 6 a.m. to about 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and will close at either midnight or remain open all night Friday and Saturday, he said.

“We’ve heard a lot of feedback of the people in town saying after the sporting events there’s not a lot to eat besides fast food,” he explained. “We’re going to try to be open for those crowds.”

The IHOP franchisee is expected to hire up to 150 staff for the new location. Some training will be completed at its Fayetteville location, “so that way whenever we do open, they’re ready to hit the ground running,” he said.

The company is leasing the building, but he said “there’s always the possibility of buying.” Gunaca said the company has a 20-year franchising agreement with IHOP.

“We’re going to be here for a while,” he added. “Once we’re here, we’re here to stay. We commit, 100%.”