10 Pancake-Fueled Facts About IHOP You Probably Didn’t Know

Identified for its fluffy, golden pancakes and comfy, family-friendly environment, IHOP (International House of Pancakes) has lengthy been a beloved fixture within the eating world. Based in 1958 within the sunny suburbs of Toluca Lake, California, by brothers Al and Jerry Lapin, IHOP has grown from a single location into a world breakfast empire.

With over 1,600 eating places worldwide, IHOP has grow to be synonymous with hearty breakfasts and even late-night consolation meals, all served with a beneficiant serving to of nostalgia and heat. What units IHOP aside isn’t just its signature pancakes, however its unwavering dedication to innovation and buyer satisfaction. Over the many years, IHOP has frequently reinvented itself, introducing new menu objects and ideas that maintain diners coming again for extra.

Try these 10 fascinating info that spotlight the wealthy historical past, progressive spirit and neighborhood dedication of this iconic breakfast chain.

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1. IHOP partnered with Google Cloud to leverage AI.

Embracing cutting-edge expertise, IHOP has began using artificial intelligence to assist clients leverage the web ordering system. Clients are greeted with customized choices based mostly on their ordering historical past, together with new menu objects and worth offers.

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2. Take pleasure in a free quick stack of pancakes on Nationwide Pancake Day.

IHOP has celebrated National Pancake Day for the final 18 years by providing a free quick stack of pancakes to dine-in clients. This annual occasion — subsequent noticed on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 — not solely delights pancake lovers, but in addition serves as a fundraiser for charitable causes. Visitors are inspired to make a donation in alternate for his or her free pancakes, supporting IHOP’s dedication to giving again to the neighborhood.

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3. You may dine at a joint IHOP-Applebee’s restaurant.

IHOP is partnering with Applebee’s to open dual-branded eating places, as they’re each owned by mother or father firm Dine Manufacturers World. These mixed areas intention to supply a various eating expertise and mix cooking and seating areas.

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4. IHOP had a pretend identify change to IHOb.

In 2018, IHOP generated important buzz by quickly changing its name to IHOb, with the “b” standing for burgers (the P within the brand was flipped). This advertising and marketing stunt, claimed to be only a joke, was designed to advertise their new line of burgers and garnered widespread media consideration.

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5. IHOP collaborated with Pepsi on a syrup-flavored cola

In 2022, IHOP partnered with Pepsi to create a novel maple syrup-flavored cola. This limited-edition beverage mixed the traditional style of Pepsi with the candy, wealthy taste of IHOP’s signature maple syrup.

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6. A city renamed to IHOP.

In a promotional occasion, IHOP quickly renamed the city of Natchez, Mississippi, to IHOP. Natchez is named the “Biscuit Capital of the World,” so what higher method to promote a biscuits menu?

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7. IHOP serves 700 million pancakes per 12 months.

IHOP serves an astonishing 700 million pancakes yearly, a testomony to its recognition and the enduring love for its signature dish.

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8. IHOP was not the official identify till 1994.

Though the primary Worldwide Home of Pancakes opened in 1958, the corporate did not begin using the acronym “IHOP” till 1973. The shorter, catchier identify helped to streamline the model’s identification, and the model identify was formally modified to IHOP in 1994.

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9. A franchisee workforce member got here up with IHOP’s Funnel Truffles.

In 2004, Jane Manning, a loyal and long-term workforce member of Sharp Holding Inc. (who has owned IHOPs for over 50 years), got here up with the thought of IHOP Funnel Truffles. Her suggestion became one in all IHOP’s best promotional success tales.

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10. IHOP has areas on navy bases.

In 2010, IHOP opened its first restaurants on military bases, serving members of the armed forces and their households. This enlargement into navy bases displays IHOP’s dedication to supporting the troops and making IHOP accessible to all visitors.

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