On Tuesday, September 11, Sattar Shaik, owner of Harvest Hospitalities, opened his newest branch of IHOP restaurants in Berlin, Md. The event was commemorated with a joint ribbon cutting between the Salisbury Area, Ocean Pines, and Greater Ocean City Chambers of Commerce. Shaik had previously opened an IHOP at a Salisbury location in October of 2017.
“We are very thrilled to be opening our doors and inviting guests to enjoy everything they love about breakfast,” he said, “Our brand has existed for the last 60 years. It’s one of the oldest and everlasting brands. I feel bringing guests to enjoy every moment with family and friends with our made to order breakfast foods and more. At this IHOP and all other IHOPs, we feature fluffy omelets, golden French toast, savory hickory smoked bacon, and of course, the world-famous buttermilk pancakes. Served all day, every day.”
He owns 16 IHOPs in three different states and employs 800 people; at the Berlin location they have hired 100 employees. He hopes to add about 2 million dollars to the economy of the area.
“The most difficult task on our hands when we open a new restaurant, is hiring 100 employees. Every location that we go, we have 100 employees,” he said, “We only have two months to hire 100 employees.
“Our growth and success of every one of our IHOPs is only possible, because I have so many dedicated team members.”
Shaik went on to give an anecdote about an employee so dedicated he refused to get married until he helped finish opening a series of restaurants for him.
He also commented on the efficiency of the contractors and builders, who according to Shaik, in the past ten years, were always finished by the day of opening he requested.
He mentioned the active participation of the area’s community organizations and government with the franchise.
“We have three Chambers here, they’ve extended their warm welcome, and I really thank them for joining us at this grand opening and for making this a great success. We have the greatest respect for the local leadership here,” he said, “In the three counties where we recently opened, they never gave us any trouble.”
He closed with a thanks to all who attended the event. The new restaurant is located at 11328 Samuel Bowen Blvd., building F, suites 4 and 5, Berlin, MD 21811.
