FREE BUTTERMILK PANCAKES TO BENEFIT LEVINE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL ON FEBRUARY 23 AT IHOP

In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

This year, IHOP is hoping to stack up more donations than ever before, with a goal to raise $1.75 million, for a total of $5 million five years with its National Pancake Day fundraising effort. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visitwww.ihoppancakeday.com.

For every delicious short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Donations made at IHOPs in the Charlotte area will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network program at Levine Children’s Hospital.

WHEN: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

WHERE: Participating IHOP restaurants nationwide.

Fun Facts From National Pancake Day 2009:

· Pancake lovers donated nearly $1.5 million to children’s charities, far exceeding the fundraising goal.
· IHOP served more than 2.5 million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2009.
· All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day would create a stack more than 20 miles high.
· Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million and given away more than 6.1 million pancakes to support charities in the communities in which it operates.
· National Pancake Day 2009 was IHOP’s largest one-day event in the company’s 51-year history.
ABOUT IHOP

For 51 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers its guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. The first IHOP opened in Toluca Lake, Calif. in 1958, and as of September 30, 2009, there were 1,433 IHOPs in 50 states,Canada and Mexico. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

***NOTE: For centuries, the English have ‘flipped’ for pancakes in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, which heralds the beginning of fasting during Lent. Long ago, strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products . . . hence the name Pancake Tuesday. IHOP introduced “National Pancake Day” (which always takes place in February) as a tribute to the centuries old tradition, but more importantly thank guests for their patronage and give back to the community.

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