IHOP Just Changed Its Coffee After 20 Years

IHOP has seen its own series of changes over the past ten years. We all remember the IHOb fiasco, don’t we? (I say “fiasco,” but it was perhaps the most successful use of ragebait as a marketing campaign I’ve ever seen, intentional or not. Props to you, IHOb/P.) But one thing has stayed pretty constant, despite some reports of customer dissatisfaction: their coffee.

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Until now.

After listening to customer feedback, IHOP has put its 20-year-old brew to bed.

For the past two decades—longer than I’ve been drinking coffee as a human being on this Earth—IHOP has been serving the same standard 100% Arabica blend. Nothing flashy, nothing offensive, just a very classic diner coffee. Comforting in its neutralness, really. It was the kind of coffee you don’t think about, other than knowing you can refill it at any time for no extra cost. (That, of course, will remain the same.)

“Our previous roast was light to medium with Arabica beans,” Chef Art Carl, VP Culinary at IHOP, told the Food Network. “Based on guest feedback, the flavor didn’t stand up to the inclusions of creamer & sweetener, which around 80% of our guests like to add.”

I don’t have much to add to this conversation other than: I’ve been to IHOP more times than I count, but I don’t have much memory of their diner coffee. I’ve been to Waffle House exactly one time, and I distinctly remember liking the coffee. That could mean absolutely nothing; my memory is a fickle thing. Or it could be the crux of this entire change.

So what is this so-called new and improved coffee?

IHOP is now serving a new medium-roast proprietary house blend, still made with 100% Arabica beans, but with an emphasis on bolder flavor. Allegedly, it has notes of brown sugar that you can taste through the creamer and a nutty aroma. And look, I’ll be the first to say: It doesn’t sound that different from what they currently serve. But IHOP can’t go too crazy on us. Diner coffee is comforting for a reason. The stuff still needs to be highly chuggable and suitable for the masses.

Notably: They’ve also made some behind-the-scenes changes, like improving brewing standards and equipment, which can be as important as the beans themselves.

Is there a catch here?

I’ve looked for a catch. My main concern was whether or not this new coffee came with a shiny new price tag, but outside of general inflation, that doesn’t seem to be the case. IHOP is really just upgrading its coffee, you guys. Maybe we still can have nice things in 2026. And maybe now I can finally convince the rest of the Sporked team to do a diner coffee taste test… stay tuned!