The present invention relates to an improvement of integrated fuel processor and fuel cell systems which improves stability of operation, simplifies control, and improves the heat recovery. According to the invention, a reforming zone is heated by indirect heat exchange with a first combustion effluent stream and provides a cooled first combustion effluent stream. The cooled combustion effluent stream is reheated in at least an additional combustion zone with at least a portion of the anode waste gas from the fuel cell to provide a reheated combustion effluent stream. The reheated combustion effluent stream is employed to further heat the reforming zone.