DineEquity Inc., the parent of IHOP Restaurants and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, announced the opening of the first IHOP restaurant in the Middle East.

The Glendale company said the restaurant is located in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The opening is the first of a 40-restaurant franchise development agreement announced in June with M.H. Alshaya Co. of Kuwait.