When BLT Global Brands decided to open the first dual Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant in Costa Rica, they chose Contract Workplaces for their expertise in bringing the project to life. The challenge was to combine identity, efficiency, and a clear flow between two distinct brands within a single space: architecture would not only differentiate the areas but also preserve each brand’s personality without losing coherence as a whole.
The project was developed in a 315 m² unit located in Plaza Tempo, Escazú—one of the most exclusive and dynamic areas of the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José—with high visitor traffic and a diverse gastronomic offering. As this was the client’s first operation in the country, the process required close support throughout every stage.
The starting point was a layout provided by the client along with the brand manuals for Applebee’s and IHOP. These documents establish the aesthetic criteria, materials, colors, furniture, graphics, and general guidelines that ensure consistency with their international standards. Based on this framework, the design was developed and adapted to local accessibility, safety, and operational regulations.
Both brands have very defined design languages. While IHOP uses a light palette, pale wood tones, and a bright, airy image, Applebee’s operates with a darker, more rustic expression. The key to the project was ensuring that each identity remained recognizable without making the space feel divided. The solution was to approach the design almost as a modular system in which each brand contributes its distinctive elements, while the lighting, textures, and overall spatial organization act as a bridge between the two.
In the IHOP zone, a light palette was used in the furniture colors, wood finishes, and suspended ceiling; the white lattice reinforces this fresh and luminous character. The Pancake Station serves as a focal point that strengthens the brand’s family-oriented identity.
In the Applebee’s area, the design is based on a more robust materiality: brick, dark wood, warm lighting, and a warm color palette dominated by browns create a more intimate atmosphere, without losing visual connection to the rest of the space. Wooden ceiling structures add continuity and help guide users through both areas.
The ambiance is complemented by artworks from a local artist in the restroom and hallway areas, adding identity to the environment and a distinctive touch within the project.
The final result is a space where the two brands coexist without competing, aligned with their global standards while also adapted to local conditions and aesthetics. The transition feels natural, the circulation is clear, and each zone maintains its character without compromising the coherence of the whole.
