The Company

International House of Pancakes, better known as IHOP, is a multinational pancake house and fast-casual family restaurant chain specializing in breakfast foods. Owned by DineEquity, 99% of its locations are operated by independent franchisees. Tom Throm has been one of those franchisees since 1998, growing from two original locations to five thriving franchises across Florida and Georgia, with a team of 250 employees.

The Business Challenge

Despite a long history of working with payroll services and PEOs, Throm had endured a string of bad experiences with several providers, enough to leave him understandably cautious about his next partnership. Rather than go it alone, he brought in a consultant to lead an exhaustive bidding and vetting process. His requirements were clear: a reputable, full-service PEO capable of handling the complexity of hospitality payroll, benefits, workers' compensation insurance, and HR management across multiple locations.

The Solution

FrankCrum rose to the top. Impressed by the company's size, geographic reach, and willingness to provide a bond for added protection, Throm selected FrankCrum as his partner. Today, FrankCrum manages his payroll, workers' compensation insurance, drug testing, and provides ongoing consultation on personnel actions, unemployment taxes, and a wide range of HR management issues, everything a multi-location franchise operation demands under one roof.

The Results

Throm summarizes FrankCrum services and notes the following results:

Savings

On the tip tax credit alone, FrankCrum calculates and forwards the report to Throm at no percentage charge—a service that has saved him approximately $50,000 annually. Previous providers had simply kept the credit for themselves without disclosing it. His workers' compensation rates have also dropped, a direct benefit of being part of the large pool FrankCrum offers its clients.

Competitive Value

Throm regularly fields calls from competing PEOs and conducts annual fee comparisons. Year after year, he stays with FrankCrum—a testament to the consistent value the partnership delivers.

Personable Service

When questions arise, which in the workers' comp-intensive world of hospitality, they often do, Throm knows he can pick up the phone and get real help. He calls FrankCrum's customer service frequently and has no complaints. "They really perform," he says.

IHOP