Food prices are on the rise. The consumer price index for all food rose 3.1% from February 2025 to February 2026, according to the USDA.
This jump has put a major strain on Americans’ food budgets. Some 52% of people told Lending Tree they’re spending more on food this year than they were last year, and 84% of people said they are cutting back on dining out to save.
For those who are still eating at restaurants, choosing cheaper eateries and paying attention to menu prices are the top ways they’re keeping spending in check while still enjoying the odd meal out.
Luckily for the price-conscious diners, IHOP’s new menu changes and additions are making it a lot easier to eat out without feeling the financial strain.
IHOP is expanding its value lineup
In September 2025, IHOP announced it would be launching a value menu, with the intention of offering guests breakfast classics at a wallet-friendly price point.
Initially, the menu was available only on weekdays, but during Dine Brand’s Q4 FY2025 earnings call, CEO John Peyton told investors the restaurant would be moving to a seven-day schedule and expanding the number of items offered.
“The IHOP Value Menu, an expanded and rebranded version of House Faves, now available seven days a week,” Peyton said. “This gives guests greater confidence that they can access meaningful value any day of the week while preserving a balanced menu mix.”
The restaurant introduced the value menu in response to customer feedback.
“The way I would characterize the consumer broadly for 2025 is that they were looking for both the value and the vibe,” Peyton told investors. “By value, we mean obviously the price of the item, but also the taste, the quality, an abundant serving, and most importantly, the vibe, which is, you know, really good service, and we see that trend continuing to 2026.”
Thus far, the value menu has proven highly successful for the breakfast chain. Some 20% of all IHOP’s tickets from Q4 2025 included items from the menu, Peyton said.
“The value menu is drawing guests into the restaurant, and once they’re here, guests are also choosing premium offerings such as our breakfast, combos, and LTOs, like our Pumpkin Spice Pancakes and Coffee Cake Pancakes,” he told investors.
As a result, the restaurant saw a 4.5% increase in sales as compared to the same quarter the year before.
IHOP’s Value Menu
IHOP’s value menu is available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. All entrees are priced at $6, and offerings include:
- BLT served with french fries or hash browns
- Breakfast Faves Combo
- French Toast Faves Combo
- Ham & Cheese Omelette
- House Scramble
Source: IHOP
Getty Images
IHOP is adding new items to the menu
The value menu updates aren’t the only changes coming to IHOP.
During the earnings call, Peyton said the restaurant would be updating its coffee program for the first time in 20 years and filling out its omelette lineup.
“Coming into 2026, we’re going to complement our IHOP Value Menu with, for example, a new proprietary coffee, because, you know, you got to have the best coffee in the world together with the best pancakes in the world,” the CEO told investors.
The restaurant will now be brewing the IHOP Coffee Blend at its 1,800 locations. The blend features 100% sustainably sourced Arabica beans from Brazil, according to Global Coffee Report.
More restaurants:
- Olive Garden is making big menu changes diners will love
- Noodles & Company eyes a dedicated ramen section on its menu
- Papa Johns debuts bold menu changes to win back customers
Diners who prefer iced coffee also will now have the option of adding flavors like Dulce de Leche, vanilla, and chocolate to their drinks, the outlet says.
If eggs are more your morning style, there’s good news on that front as well.
“We’re gonna be innovating around our omelet platform,” Peyton said in February. “This March, we’re also going to introduce a new BBQ Pulled Pork Omelet, which we’re excited about because it’s something our guests have been asking for. Then, of course, as you go further into the year, we have a whole lineup of innovation to balance that.”
The pulled pork omelet is priced at just $14.99, significantly less than the nine other omelet options, which range from $19.39 to $21.59, making it a budget-friendly option.
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