IHOP celebrates National Pancake Day to benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

For the seventh consecutive year, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of its famous buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.   

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

IHOP hopes to raise $2.7 million this year, with a goal to bring the total amount of funds raised to more than $10 million. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

National Pancake Day facts:
—IHOP served 4 million free pancakes on National Pancake Day in 2011, and pancake lovers donated more than $2.5 million to children’s charities, exceeding the fundraising goal of $2.3 million.

—All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day 2011 would create a stack nearly 16 miles high.

—Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $8 million and given away more than 14 million pancakes to support charities.

—National Pancake Day 2011 was IHOP’s largest one-day event in the company’s 53-year history.

Pancake Day is a tradition that dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent.  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, or Shrove Tuesday.

In 2012, IHOP’s National Pancake Day will be celebrated a week later, as the popular annual campaign has evolved into a monthlong celebration that takes place during the month of February. It will culminate with the free flapjack giveaway on Feb. 28.