Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> October 8, 2001
RICHARD K. HERZER began his 25-year executive career with IHOP Corp. in
1967, rose through the executive ranks and was named President and
Director in 1979. He was named Chairman and CEO in 1983. Mr. Herzer
started with the company as Vice President and Controller of a wholly
owned subsidiary of IHOP's corporate predecessor, International
Industries, Inc. In 1987, he negotiated a management-led leveraged
buyout of IHOP Corp. This allowed management to operate IHOP as an
independent company, investing in new restaurants, remodeling existing
ones, and expanding the chain into a highly successful operation. In
July 1991, IHOP Corp. had an initial public offering and is currently
traded on the NASDAQ National Market. He is a former Trustee of the
Southern California Multiple Sclerosis Society, a Director of the
Glendale (California) Memorial Health Association and a Director of the
California Restaurant Association. He received his Bachelor of Science
degree from UCLA in Finance and served as an Officer in the U.S. Army
from 1953 to 1956. Profile
TWST: We'd like to begin with a brief historical sketch of the companyand then a picture of what you're doing now.
Mr. Herzer: Forty-two years ago we started with one restaurant in