IHOP adding new restaurants

The IHOP restaurant chain is trying to regain a foothold in central Indiana with two new locations under construction and at least three more in the works. The chain is putting the finishing touches on a 4,600-square-foot restaurant along North by Northeast Boulevard near 96th Street and Interstate 69 in Fishers, and plans to add another restaurant in the former home of Mountain Jack's Steakhouse in front of Target at 38th Street and Interstate 465. Locally based Thompson Thrift is handling development and construction. The chain also is scouting sites for new restaurants in Brownsburg, Carmel and downtown Indianapolis. In recent years, the chain had closed stores across from Castleton Square Mall and at 16th and Meridian streets. The chain, which is part of California-based DineEquity Inc., has Indianapolis restaurants on East 56th Street and U.S. 31 South, and a location in Avon on U.S. Highway 36. The franchisee who owns the local stores is Mike Ruben.