IHOP is notoriously known for their delicious and fluffy pancakes and the breakfast chain has made National Pancake Day a holiday food lovers look forward to each and every year. This will be IHOP's 11th year celebrating the big day, and as usual, the lines of people waiting for their free pancakes are expected to be out the door.
This year, National Pancake Day takes place on Tuesday and all IHOP restaurants will be giving away a short stack to every customer that comes in between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. While the short stack of buttermilk pancakes are free, the only thing IHOP asks in return is for customers to consider making donation to local charities.
There are several charities customers can donate to, including Children's Miracle Network Hospital, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Shriners Hospital for Children. Last year, more than 6.6 million free pancakes were given away and $3.5 million was raised for children's charities. In total, $20 million has been raised for local charities over the past decade. IHOP is hoping to raise another $3.5 million this coming Tuesday to match the incredible amount of donations last year.
"Every pancake we give away has a purpose on National Pancake Day," said Darren Rebelez, president of International House of Pancakes, LLC. "Through the generosity of our guests and the hard work and commitment of our franchisees and their team members, we will help fund life-saving treatment and care for children in need. On behalf of everyone in the IHOP family, we are so grateful to our guests who have turned this into such an incredible event that truly makes a difference in the lives of these kids."
Local charities are beyond grateful for IHOP's decision to turn this day of free food into something charitable. "Our Child Life therapies and other programs that benefit from National Pancake Day often make the difference in a child's experience at the hospital," said Dianne Dillon, the Children's Miracle Network Coordinator at the Children's Hospital of Greenville Health System. "We are grateful to the community for their support of this event. Their generosity allows us to continue to provide exceptional care to children and families at every level."
Even though IHOP determines when National Pancake Day will take place each year, as it's always a Tuesday at some point during the first few winter months, some other chains are offering some breakfast deals to participate.
Denny's is offering 20 percent off your entire check with this coupon, while Friendly's is offering 50 percent off any breakfast, without a coupon, for the entire week. Waffle House is giving a free order of hash browns with this coupon through March 8 and Einstein Brothers is offering 25 percent off all of its bagels and toppings Monday through Friday, but only from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bob Evans is offering a deal for almost the entire month as any customer can save $5 on any online carry out or dine-in order over $25 through March 20.
