Trinidadians may know Applebee’s and IHOP from commercials during their favourite US cable TV shows. Some may have visited the restaurants when they travelled.Now the experience is coming to local shores, Grand Bazaar in Valsayn to be exact, in less than a month.Excitement and anticipation are already building on social media as the restaurant seeks a mid-August opening date.CEO Vishnu Maharaj said it was originally a Red Lobster project on the verge of becoming a reality.It fell through when the popular seafood restaurant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States.Maharaj recalled: “The décor was done. There was a very exquisite wooden décor with mahogany wood. When the project came to a halt, I looked for something else.”He added: “I looked at PF Chang’s but (advisors) said don’t bother with that because there were already enough Chinese restaurants here already.”In June 2024 Maharaj became aware of a joint IHOP and Applebee’s venture which was launched in Mexico.“I thought it was a sure bet. Those two franchises coming to Trinidad for the first time—I had to get it. I approached the franchise company, so it started from there,” he told the Express.Maharaj said initially he still tried to get Red Lobster back on board because they had come out of bankruptcy, but, now under new management, they said they were not interested in going international at the moment.Times and tastes changedMaharaj said 30 years ago, Red Lobster was more popular and affordable, but they eventually took a back seat to new and different family-oriented options in the American market.The IHOP/Applebee’s combo looked more appetising.“You never get two restaurants with one menu under one roof. It is a dual brand concept where you can mix and match. The restaurant will open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays; it will open a bit later on Fridays and Saturdays, until 11 p.m,” he said.There has been a positive response to the news since word got out on social media that the restaurants were opening in Trinidad, he said.“I think it is something the whole country will be welcoming. There has been a sensational buzz within 24 hours (of word on social media). Years of hard work seem to be paying off.”Maharaj says there are a lot of local restaurants, even in Grand Bazaar, which was why an international brand was being introduced.The venture also seeks to bring that foreign family dining experience to those who cannot or may never leave this country to visit the United States.“People will welcome this opportunity. We are not just Third World again. What can I do that Jaxx, Tommy’s and Trotters aren’t already doing? Another local restaurant was not the solution,” he said.Forex not an issueMaharaj said that he does not see the difficulty in obtaining foreign exchange to operate the establishment as an immediate or foreseeable challenge.“Not at the moment. Our food supply is coming through Massy Distribution. Massy has access to foreign exchange. Our main foreign exchange bill is for food supply and that is coming through Massy,” Maharaj said.He said a minimum staff of 60 will run the two restaurants based on the hours of operation.Even though parking is already a sometimes difficult endeavour at the location, which is near Pennywise, Maharaj believes the restaurants’ opening hours will not clash with the daylight customer traffic of the mall.“There is no mall in Trinidad that does not have a parking problem. Because of our early hours for breakfast, the mall does not open before 9 o’clock and the mall is closed on a Sunday. Stores close at (around) 6 p.m. here. People who are coming for breakfast before 9 a.m. will not have a parking problem. The mall also provides a shuttle service which can pick you up and drop you off if you park at the North entrance.”No intention to localise menuMaharaj said the offerings at this location will be the same as in foreign locations but with additional meals.“It is the same menu except they have added a few things to the dual brand concept. We have added one or two items that are exclusive to the dual brand. Then there is the regular menu,” he noted.He disclosed that the first 100 children, when accompanied by an adult on opening day, will receive a “free stack of pancakes”.Maharaj said consumers are much more open-minded than when the first outlet of McDonald’s was opened on Independence Square in Port of Spain years ago.“The generation, market and culture has changed. People are a lot more open-minded because they travel,” he said.For now, Maharaj says there is no intention of “localising” what the restaurant offers.“Each menu has over 100 items, so there is something for everyone. Why would I want to alter a perfect menu at this time? Later on, we could probably try something for a limited time. If it works then we put it on the menu,” he said.Maharaj believes there is space for both foreign and local entities when it comes to dining.“You don’t eat foreign every day or local every day. You mix it up,” he said, adding: “The market is open for casual dining. How many restaurants do we have here that target family dining? IHOP is one of those, especially when kids want to have pancakes.”