How To Score Free Pancakes At IHOP

(RTTNews) - Food lovers can rejoice! Breakfast chain International House of Pancakes or IHOP is offering free pancakes at its restaurants nationwide on March 8 in celebration of the brand's eleventh annual National Pancake Day.

On Tuesday, March 8, all IHOP restaurants will offer one free short stack of buttermilk pancakes to every customer from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. IHOP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (DIN).

While the pancakes are free, IHOP will ask its customers to make a voluntary donation for local charities, including Children's Miracle Network Hospital, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Shriners Hospital for Children.

"Every pancake we give away has a purpose on National Pancake Day. 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," said Darren Rebelez, president of IHOP.

While IHOP's focus is on breakfast foods such as pancakes, French toast, and omelettes, it also offers a menu of lunch and dinner items. The company serves 65 different signature, made-to-order breakfast options as well as meals under 600 calories.

Over the last ten years, IHOP's National Pancake Day has raised $20 million for local charities. In 2015, IHOP restaurants served 6.6 million free pancakes, which would have created a stack nearly 19 miles high, and raised $3.5 million for children's charities.

This year too, IHOP hopes to raise another $3.5 million for children's charities. All donations collected will remain in the local communities where they are raised and will be used to fund life-saving equipment, research, community outreach events and educational tools.

IHOP said that prior to National Pancake Day, its participating restaurants supporting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals will also sell "Miracle Balloons" for $1 and $5.

The balloons are available for purchase beginning February 1 through March 8. Guests who buy a $5 Miracle Balloon will receive a $5 discount coupon that can be used during their next visit to IHOP.

IHOP restaurant locations that are supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will offer similar programs.