# Comfort Food Coffeehouses IHOP Cafe Hops On the High-End Java Bandwagon By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-03-17 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-cafe References: [turoverstraus](http://turoverstraus.com/foodscout/2009/03/16/ihop-hopping-on-coffeehouse-trend/) & [ihopcafe](http://ihopcafe.com/) The [IHOP Cafe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-cake-pancakes) is a San Antonio offshoot of the [International House of Pancakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-biscuits-menu) that seems to target the coffeehouse-and-upscale-cafe set. Instead of the family-friendly diner you might imagine when you think of IHOP, the IHOP Cafe serves specialty coffees, wraps, sandwich melts, smoothies, and [gourmet pancakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fancy-pancake-menu). We're seeing a number of restaurants known for fast food or casual dining kick it up a notch and launch luxury offshoots to target a more discerning client base. Check out some of these restaurants below. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 31% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Upscale Fast Food:** Fast food restaurants creating high-end offshoots to target a more discerning client base - **Specialty Coffees:** Food and beverage establishments expanding their menus with specialty coffee options - **Gourmet Pancakes:** Restaurant chains incorporating gourmet pancake options into their menus ### Who This Affects Most - **Fast Food:** Fast food chains have an opportunity to capture a more upscale clientele by launching luxury offshoots - **Coffee:** Coffeehouses can capitalize on the growing demand for specialty coffee options - **Restaurant:** Restaurants can leverage the trend of incorporating gourmet versions of traditional comfort foods to cater to a more discerning clientele ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Coffee Cake Breakfast Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-cake-pancakes.md) - [Elevated Diner Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-menu.md) - [Pancake House Menu Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-1.md) - [Hand-Crafted Fruit Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-splashers.md) - [All-Day Pancake Tacos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pancake-tacos.md) - [Biscuit-Themed Breakfast Selections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-3.md) - [Pumpkin Spice Pancakes Combos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-spice-pancake-combo.md) - [Indulgent Diner Dessert Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-desserts.md) - [Value-Minded Diner Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-faves-menu.md)