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John Peyton

Chief Executive Officer, Applebee's President & Director, Dine Brands Global

Search every verified John Peyton interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands Global, discussed the company's third-quarter 2025 performance, noting that Applebee's reported a 3.1% increase in comparable sales while IHOP posted a negative 1.5%. He stated that the company is observing "slightly higher macroeconomic anxiety" among guests, leading to "more intentional decision-making" and a tendency to trade down to lower-priced menu items. Peyton highlighted the company's dual-brand program, which combines Applebee's and IHOP in a single location, describing it as a "new lever to grow" and stating that these restaurants are delivering 1.5 times the sales of single-branded restaurants. He also said the company believes its stock is "undervalued" and is directing its shareholder return strategy through a buyback program. Outside of Dine Brands, Peyton, a former mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, has been active in local civic discussions. In October 2025, he participated in a podcast where he argued that the city needs to raise revenue to fund its "bold visions," citing the cost of a new stadium, public safety raises, and an overcrowded jail. He stated that "the math is not difficult" but that finding policymakers willing to increase revenue is the challenge. In June 2025, he received a Humanitarian Award from One Jax, where he reflected on his time as mayor, including the creation of the literacy campaign "Rally Jacksonville" and the anti-violence initiative "Jacksonville Journey." He also commented on Susie Wiles, the incoming White House chief of staff, calling her an "extremely hard worker and strategic thinker" and stating that President Trump is "really lucky to have her."

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