| House of Pies | |
| Industry: | Restaurant |
| Successors: | --> |
| Founded: | c. 1969 |
| Founder: | Al Lapin Jr. |
| Hq Location Country: | United States |
| Services: | Restaurant |
| Profit: | --> |
| Profit Year: | --> |
House of Pies is an American restaurant chain, started c. 1969 by Al Lapin Jr., an early franchise system designer and founder of International Industries Inc. who was also responsible for International House of Pancakes, Copper Penny Coffee Shops, Orange Julius, and others.[1] [2]
Specializing in many different flavors of pie available for dessert, the chain was popular up through 1976 when it was sold by IHOP Corporation (International Industries successor), to Robert Herndon, who eventually downsized the chain's locations. By c. 1986 the franchise chain filed for bankruptcy and closed most of its locations, but some individually owned and operated restaurants kept the House of Pies name and logo. Seven restaurants remain: one in Los Angeles, California and six in the Greater Houston, Texas area. Another location in Los Angeles was scheduled to open in 2022, but has been delayed to at least September 2024.[3]
House of Pies is mentioned in the episode "Cowboys and Iranians" during Will & Grace's eighth season in 2006. While reading the resume of a prospective employee from Iran, Grace Adler comments that she had "no idea they had House of Pies in Tehran".
The founders of Compaq are reported to have made initial plans on a placemat at a House of Pies in Houston.[4]