How does IHOP ensure freshness in its ingredients?

Sourcing ingredients from local suppliers is a key strategy that IHOP employs to ensure the freshness of its menu items. By obtaining products from nearby producers, IHOP can reduce the time it takes for ingredients to travel from farm to table. This means that the ingredients are more likely to be fresh, retaining their flavor and nutritional value. Additionally, local sourcing allows the restaurant to adapt its menu to seasonal availability, ensuring that customers receive high-quality dishes made with the best ingredients available at any given time.

The other options do not contribute to freshness as effectively. Frozen food shipments typically extend the storage life of items but can result in a loss of freshness and quality. Importing from overseas can introduce extended transportation times, which can affect the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Using canned goods, while convenient, often means a compromise in terms of flavor and texture compared to fresh products. Thus, local sourcing stands out as the most effective method for maintaining ingredient freshness.