When one says the words “company man,” Joseph Knight, the new IHOP franchise owner of the District’s Congress Heights location in Ward 8 in Southeast, fits the definition.Knight has worked for IHOP since the age of 14. Now in his mid-30s, Knight has stayed with the company as he attended high school and Fairleigh Dickinson University and rising through the ranks to become a manager of multi-unit restaurants in his native New Jersey under the instructive eye of serial entrepreneur and restaurateur Adenah Bayoh. When he found out months ago through the IHOP corporate office that the Congress Heights location needed new management, he jumped at the chance to move to the District.
“I have been saving my money for a chance like this,” Knight said. “I wanted to own an IHOP.”Knight took charge of a restaurant that opened in 2008 at its location at The Shops at Park Village. Owned by Jackson Investment Companies, the Congress Heights IHOP closed in 2022 due to the negative economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. When it was opened in 2008, it was the first national sit-down restaurant to set up a location in Ward 8.Nicole Durham-Mallory, IHOP’s vice president of franchise development, said the corporation supports Knight’s efforts.
“It was important for us to find a franchise to reopen the IHOP location in The Shops at Park Village because we know how important this location is to the local community,” she said in a statement that was published in the June 25 edition of The Washington Business Journal. “The restaurant has been a landmark for local businesses and members of the community to meet over a delicious meal and provides a destination for togetherness.” Background on IHOP
IHOP was founded under its original corporate name, International House of Pancakes, in the Los Angeles area in 1958 with its first restaurant opening in July 1958 in Toluca Lake, California.IHOP has 1,841 locations throughout the world with the overwhelming majority operating as franchises like Knight’s. The IHOP menu focuses on its all-day breakfast offerings such as pancakes, waffles and omelets but also offers its diners lunch and dinner items such as sandwiches, burgers, salads, steaks and fish.Many of the locations are open 24 hours, seven days a week. However, Knight’s location operates from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., with plans to go 24 hours in the works.Knight’s Operation: Hopes for the Ward 8 LocationKnight said he wants Ward 8, and the District as a whole, to fall in love with his restaurant.
“I want people to have a safe space for them to eat and enjoy themselves,” he said. “I want people to feel loved when they come inside our doors.”Knight stressed that the food at its restaurant is made to order, not pre-cooked. Noting that he is a health fanatic, Knight said he strives to serve the best food to his customers.In terms of community involvement, Knight said he would like to initiate activities such as procuring prom dresses and prom suits for young people as well as have a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway.His 50 employees are from the neighborhood and that was done intentionally.“It is important to hire people who look like me from the community,” he said. “That’s how you sustain the community.”
A Day at the Congress Heights IHOPOn Aug. 17, Anari Walters walked out of the Congress Heights IHOP with a takeout order in a white plastic bag. When asked about her experience at the restaurant, she smiled and responded.“It was cool,” Walters, 18, said. “It’s convenient to get to. I live in the neighborhood. It looks better inside.”Walters said she has patronized the restaurant under the former management and likes the changes that have taken place under Knight’s leadership. She would commit to being a regular customer but said she is moving out of the neighborhood.“If I have the time, I will be back,” she said.
Inside the restaurant, the wait staff escorts customers to their tables or booths, depending on their preference. Several people were in the restaurant waiting on their orders or eating while listening to Destiny Child’s hit song “Say My Name” being played softly over the sound system.Sitting at a table in the southwest corner of the restaurant by the window facing Alabama Avenue SE was longtime community activist Kemry Hughes eating a meal with a friend.During the meal, Knight stopped by to greet Hughes and his friend and engaged in conversation. After the meal, Hughes said he was happy about Knight’s venture.“I am excited,” said Hughes, 62. “Our eatery has come back. There is a new owner with a new vision. Joseph is new to the city, and I am glad he is investing in Ward 8.”Hughes said the Congress Heights IHOP had become a meeting place for community organizations over the years and anticipates that to be the case under Knight’s leadership.“I want to introduce Joseph around the community,” he said. “He wants to be a good corporate citizen.”Right behind Hughes exiting the restaurant was Maurrine Jones, who said she lives “right across the street.” She, too, said she likes the changes Knight has made to the restaurant.“The atmosphere here is very nice,” Jones, 54, said. “It looks better than when the last management ran the place. I visited the restaurant once under the last managers and I was not happy. I had a great time here and I absolutely will be back.”
Source: Washington Informer
