1428 ET - Dine Brands is using a "barbell pricing" strategy at both Applebee's and IHOP, according to Benchmark in a note. Barbell pricing is typically a strategy in which a company focuses on both the low- and high-ends of its pricing scale. Analyst Todd Brooks says Applebee's value items including its two-for-$25 deal and other limited time offers again represented 26% of 2Q sales, while IHOP's $6 Everyday Value menu accounted for 22% of sales. This strategy has been effective for addressing the income gap among consumers, he says. "We believe that DIN has worked its way into a steadier consumer perception of everyday value at both brands," Brooks says.