News

BIRMINGHAM (Feb. 3, 2010) - IHOP will serve up free pancakes to benefit the Children's Hospital of Alabama in celebration of National Pancake Day on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at participating restaurants across the state.

That day IHOP customers can enjoy a free short stack of IHOP's famous buttermilk pancakes and, in turn, will be asked to make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network (CMN) to improve the lives of children at the 170 CMN hospitals nationwide. One-hundred percent of the funds donated at Alabama IHOP locations will be donated to Children's Hospital. This year will mark IHOP's fourth year of celebrating the national event, and nearly 1,400 IHOP restaurants throughout the United States will once again invite guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP's signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
 
Additionally, Miracle Balloons will be sold for $1 each, personalized and displayed at participating IHOP restaurants from Feb. 1-24, offering guests another way to show their support of CMN and contribute to the National Pancake Day fundraising effort.

National Pancake Day, also known as Mardi Gras Day (or Shrove Tuesday), is a centuries old English tradition, in which all dairy products were used to make pancakes in preparation for Lent. IHOP, with its signature product of buttermilk pancakes, decided to take ownership of this annual holiday by creating a nationwide promotion designed to thank guests for their patronage and give back to the community.
"IHOP is thrilled to bring families and communities together in support of the efforts of Children's Miracle Network and other local charities on National Pancake Day," said Des Hague, IHOP's president. "We want to thank our guests who helped us raise $875,000 to support Children's Miracle Network and other local charities last year, and we ask them to join us again to surpass our fundraising goal of $1 million for 2009."
 
Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $2 million to support charities in communities in which it operates. In 2008, IHOP gave away more than 1.5 million pancakes and raised over $875,000 in support of Children's Miracle Network and other local charities, far exceeding its goal to raise $750,000

Participating IHOP restaurants in Alabama include:

• Birmingham (5243 Highway 280) and (7748 Crestwood Blvd.)
• Decatur (1428 Beltline Road SW)
• Dothan (3407 Ross Clark Circle)
• Homewood (221 State Farm Parkway)
• Huntsville (3001 S. Memorial Parkway) and (6151 University Drive NW)
• Montgomery (115 Eastern Blvd.) and (2950 E. South Blvd.)
• Oxford (1904 U.S. Highway 78 E)
• Pelham (2000 Pelham Parkway)
• Prattville (2729 Legends Parkway)
• Tuscaloosa (724 Skyland Boulevard)

For more information about IHOP's National Pancake Day, or to learn more about Children's Miracle Network and make an online donation, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.
 
ABOUT CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK
Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals. Countless individuals, 90 organizations and 400 media partners unite with Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to Children's Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children each year. To learn more go to ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.
 
ABOUT IHOP
For 50 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, 2008, there were 1,375 IHOPs in 49 states, Canada and Mexico. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based IHOP, a subsidiary of DineEquity Inc. (NYSE: DIN).
 
ABOUT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
The Children's Hospital of Alabama, the flagship of Children's Health System, is the only free-standing hospital in the state dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children and one of the 10 busiest pediatric medical centers in the U.S. One of only about 45 freestanding acute care hospitals of its kind in the nation, Children's Hospital is home to Alabama's only Level I pediatric trauma center. Children's campus includes the largest pediatric burn center in the Southeast, one of the largest pediatric outpatient centers in the country and a leading pediatric hematology/oncology center and bone marrow transplant program.
 
The hospital was recently recognized for the excellence of its nursing care by achieving Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Children's is the primary site for all pediatric medical education programs and patient care activities through an affiliation with the UAB School of Medicine and the Health Services Foundation. The Children's Hospital of Alabama is a private not-for-profit hospital governed by a volunteer board of trustees and will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2011. For more information, go to www.chsys.org.

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Contact: Rachel Olis (Rachel.olis@chsys.org), 205-332-7571