Who Owns The Original Pancake House Chicago?
The Original Pancake House (TOPH) is an international chain of pancake restaurants known for its legendary pancakes, crepes, waffles, omelets and other breakfast specialties. Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke, TOPH has expanded over the years to over 100 locations across the United States. The Original Pancake House prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients to deliver an unparalleled breakfast experience. With a menu featuring palate-pleasing favorites like apple pancake, Dutch baby, and lingonberry crepes, it’s no wonder The Original Pancake House remains a beloved breakfast tradition for over 65 years.
About The Original Pancake House Chicago
The Original Pancake House Chicago is located at 1358 E 47th Street in Chicago’s South Side neighborhood. It first opened its doors in 1953 and has been serving up delicious breakfast favorites ever since. The restaurant is known for its extensive pancake menu, with over 20 varieties of pancakes and crepes to choose from. Some customer favorites include the Apple Pancake, a huge oven-baked pancake with sauteed apples, cinnamon, and powdered sugar, and the Dutch Baby, a puffy oven-baked pancake similar to a popover. Other popular dishes include classic breakfast staples like omelets, eggs benedict, waffles, and French toast. The Original Pancake House takes pride in making everything fresh from scratch each morning, using high quality ingredients like real butter, fresh eggs, and buttermilk in their recipes. The restaurant’s warm, retro-diner ambiance is inviting and family-friendly.
Sources:
https://www.doordash.com/store/the-original-pancake-house-chicago-25468734/
https://www.seamless.com/menu/the-original-pancake-house-1358-e-47th-st-chicago/2028173
Ownership History
The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. The couple had a passion for pancakes and collected recipes from around the world during their international travels in the 1940s and 50s. After opening the first location, the restaurant quickly gained popularity for its extensive pancake menu featuring recipes like Apple Pancake, Dutch Baby, and Bacon Waffle.
Over the years, the ownership of the Original Pancake House changed hands several times. In the late 1970s, the chain was purchased by two Portland businessmen. In 1995, it was sold again to a group of franchisees and investors. Most recently in 2012, the company was acquired by a private equity firm called North Castle Partners. However, the Original Pancake House has retained its commitment to the recipes and vision of the original founders.
Today, the Original Pancake House remains a beloved regional chain with over 100 locations primarily in the Midwest, West Coast, and parts of the East Coast. While the ownership has evolved, customers continue to enjoy the scrumptious pancake creations of Les Highet and Erma Hueneke that started it all in the 1950s.
Current Ownership
The Original Pancake House Chicago is currently owned by The Original Pancake House Franchising Inc., which is based in Oregon. As per OPH History – The Original Pancake House, The Original Pancake House Franchising Inc. acquired the company in the 1970s and began offering franchises. They own the trademarks and licensing for all Original Pancake House locations across the United States. Though the Chicago location and others are independently operated as franchisees, The Original Pancake House Franchising Inc. oversees the brand standards, menu offerings, and concept consistency across the franchise.
Franchise Model
The Original Pancake House is a successful franchise with over 100 locations across the United States. According to The Original Pancake House Franchise Cost & Opportunities, there are currently 129 franchised restaurants in the system. The company is very selective about who they grant franchises to, and have a rigorous vetting process for potential franchisees.
To be considered for a franchise, The Original Pancake House requires candidates to have a minimum net worth of $1.5 million and $500,000 in liquid assets. Franchisees need restaurant operations experience or a strong operations partner. The total investment to open a franchise ranges from $372,500 to $966,250. There is an initial franchise fee of up to $60,000 paid to the franchisor.
Signature Dishes
The Original Pancake House is known for its signature dishes that keep customers coming back. The Apple Pancake is a customer favorite, consisting of sliced apples topped with cinnamon sugar baked in a pancake batter to create a large, fluffy pancake. Another signature item is the Dutch Baby, a large oven-baked pancake made with a blend of flour, eggs, milk, and sugar that rises dramatically while baking. It is served with lemon and powdered sugar.
In addition to pancakes, The Original Pancake House offers other popular dishes like omelets, crepes, waffles, sandwiches, hashes, and more. The Fresh Vegetarian Omelette with grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and cheddar is a go-to for vegetarians. For a heartier breakfast, customers recommend the Corned Beef Hash made with tender corned beef, potatoes, peppers and onions.
Decor and Atmosphere
The Original Pancake House Chicago is known for its cozy, vintage atmosphere reminiscent of a 1950s diner or your grandma’s kitchen. With its gingham tablecloths, vintage tins and advertisements, and charming retro decor, the restaurant transports guests back in time to a simpler era.
As described on https://www.etsy.com/market/original_pancake_house, the decor features vintage-style light fixtures, mint green booths, and kitschy vintage signs. Black and white checkered floors and antique milkshake machines add to the retro charm. Homey accents like patchwork quilts and embroidered table runners make dining at The Original Pancake House feel like being in your family’s kitchen.
According to https://matchsouth.com/products/the-original-pancake-house, the restaurant’s walls are filled with vintage cookbooks, antique cooking utensils, and old family photos. These nostalgic touches make dining at The Original Pancake House a trip down memory lane.
Overall, the warm, welcoming retro atmosphere paired with delicious pancakes makes The Original Pancake House a comforting place to enjoy breakfast or brunch.
Reviews and Accolades
The Original Pancake House Chicago’s delicious pancakes and down-home hospitality have earned it rave reviews from happy customers. On Tripadvisor, The Original Pancake House is rated 4.5 stars out of 8,000+ reviews, ranking it #57 out of 9,000+ restaurants in Chicago. Reviewers praise the “fluffy pancakes”, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere.
On Yelp, The Original Pancake House has a solid 4 star rating based on nearly 400 reviews. Customers say the food is “always good and what you would expect for a pancake house” and the “service is friendly.”
The Original Pancake House’s original outpost in Portland, Oregon has been recognized nationally, winning Food & Wine Magazine’s award for Best Pancakes in America. The restaurant has also been featured on the Food Network and Cooking Channel for its famous apple pancake. Clearly, The Original Pancake House knows how to deliver outstanding pancakes and breakfast classics.
Fun Facts
The Original Pancake House has a long history with many interesting facts behind its origins and menu. The first location opened in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by founders Les Highet and Irma Hueneke (https://oph-mi.com/ourhistory/). They wanted to bring authentic German pancake recipes from Les’s mother to the United States.
The restaurant has become known for its very large, thin pancakes made from scratch using quality ingredients. Some fan favorite menu items include the Apple Pancake, which is baked fresh with local apples and topped with cinnamon glaze, and the Dutch Baby, a large oven-baked pancake puffed up tall around the edges (https://kids.kiddle.co/The_Original_Pancake_House).
An interesting fact is that The Original Pancake House serves pancakes all day, not just for breakfast! The first franchise opened in 1958 in California, and today there are over 100 locations across the country (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Original_Pancake_House).
Conclusion
The Original Pancake House Chicago has a rich history and dedicated fanbase in the Windy City. Though ownership has changed hands over the decades, the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients and signature dishes like apple pancake remains. With over 100 locations across the country, TOPH looks poised to continue growing in the future. As long as the iconic eatery stays true to its roots and keeps customers coming back for more, The Original Pancake House will have a bright future in Chicago and beyond.
