Miss America 2012 to Help Raise Millions for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Encouraging Everyone to Enjoy Free Pancakes Nationwide February 28

Newly Crowned Miss America to Trade Her Crown for a Spatula: Laura Kaeppeler to Serve as Spokesperson for IHOP's National Pancake Day Celebration

Glendale, CA  (RestaurantNews.com)  Less than 72 hours after being crowned Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler has flipped for kids and announced that she plans to exchange her crown for a chef’s hat, her gown for an apron and her sash for a spatula to serve as spokesperson for IHOP’s seventh annual National Pancake Day celebration benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In one of her first endeavors as Miss America, Kaeppeler hopes to help raise more than $2.7 million for children’s hospital programs nationwide on Tuesday, February 28 when IHOP restaurants nationwide give away millions of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. In return for the free fluffy treat, guests will be asked to make a voluntary donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or other local charities.

“Helping children in need is a great way to start my year of service as Miss America 2012 and I am honored to serve as a national Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Kaeppeler. “I’ll be out there, and I hope that everyone gets out to their local IHOP on February 28 for free pancakes and to contribute to improving and saving children’s lives in their community.”

IHOP launched its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006 to benefit the communities in which it operates. Last year’s fundraiser was the largest one-day event in IHOP’s 53-year history with more than four million pancakes given away and over $2.5 million raised for local children’s hospitals and other worthy causes. To date, IHOP and its guests have raised nearly $8 million dollars in support of local charities.

“Each year we look forward to National Pancake Day and to welcoming our incredibly generous guests at our more than 1500 IHOP restaurants nationwide,” said Jean Birch, IHOP president. “We are excited about the continued support of the Miss America Organization and welcome Laura to the National Pancake Day family as we continue to make a difference in the lives of children across the country.”

For more information about National Pancake Day, to find a local IHOP, or to donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, please visit www.IHOPpancakeday.com.

About IHOP

For 53 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. As of September 30, 2011, there were 1,532 IHOPs in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the licensed name IHOP at HOME™ consumers can also enjoy a line of premium breakfast products available at leading retailers. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

About The Miss America Organization

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go to www.missamerica.org.

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.

Note to Editors

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. To allow for a full month of fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, IHOP’s National Pancake Day will take place a week after Shrove Tuesday, on Tuesday, February 28.

IHOP Aims to Raise $2.7 Million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Other Local Charities on National Pancake Day

IHOP to Give Away Free Pancakes on February 28

Glendale, CA  (RestaurantNews.com)  IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, will once again invite guests to enjoy free pancakes while supporting a worthy cause as part of the company’s philanthropic National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Setting its most ambitious fundraising objective yet at $2.7 million, the family-friendly restaurant chain hopes that this seventh year will be lucky for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

“Although every day can be made an IHOP day, there is only one National Pancake Day, so we look forward to seeing our regulars and new guests on February 28,” said Jean Birch, IHOP’s president. “The generosity of our guests, franchisees and team members is evidence of what makes IHOP special, and what has allowed us to surpass our ambitious fundraising targets each year. Our goal is to make this seventh year the most successful to date, and bring the cumulative total raised for charities to more than $10 million.”

On National Pancake Day, more than 1,500 IHOP restaurants throughout the United States will serve each guest a free short stack of IHOP’s signature buttermilk pancakes all day long, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. In return, guests are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to support the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital or another local charity. Guest donations have helped Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals purchase equipment and fund a variety of life-saving procedures and treatments for seriously ill or injured children.

Participating IHOP restaurants will also raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals during the month of February through the sale of “Miracle Balloons” for $1 and $5 each. Personalized and displayed in the restaurants, Miracle Balloons offer guests an additional way to show their support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and contribute to the IHOP National Pancake Day fundraising effort. Guests who purchase a $5 Miracle Balloon will receive a coupon good for $5 off their next visit with a $20 purchase.

National Pancake Day is the best known of IHOP’s initiatives to support the communities in which it operates. Since the first celebration of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP, its guests, franchisees and team members have raised nearly $8 million. In 2011 alone, IHOP served more than four million free pancakes and raised more than $2.5 million in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

For more information about IHOP’s National Pancake Day, or to learn more about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and make an online donation, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.

About IHOP

For 53 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. As of September 30, 2011, there were 1,532 IHOPs in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the licensed name IHOP at HOME™ consumers can also enjoy a line of premium breakfast products available at leading retailers. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

Note to Editors

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. To allow for a full month of fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, IHOP’s National Pancake Day will take place a week after Shrove Tuesday, on Tuesday, February 28.

The results are in! IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, today announced that with its guests’ generosity, it exceeded its 2011 National Pancake Day fundraising goal and raised a total of $2.5 million in donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. IHOP began its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, and since then has raised nearly $8 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

“We continue to be delighted and inspired by our guests’ generosity and the dedication of IHOP franchisees in making this annual event so successful,” said Jean Birch, IHOP president. ”What started out as a grassroots effort has become a much anticipated national day of celebration and giving, and we couldn’t be more proud of the impact National Pancake Day makes on our communities.”

On March 1, 2011, guests from around the country celebrated National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoyed more than four million free buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests were asked to consider leaving a donation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities.

Listed as a top search term on Google and covered by thousands of media outlets around the country, the 2011 National Pancake Day event helped bring much needed attention to the life saving efforts of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other charities.

“The generosity of IHOP, its franchisees and its guests on National Pancake Day continues to make a tremendous impact on children throughout the country,” said John Lauck, president and CEO, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. ”The awareness and funds raised from this day help our hospitals provide research, training, equipment and treatment for the most vulnerable children in our communities.”

For more information about National Pancake Day, to find a local IHOP, or to donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, please visit www.IHOPPancakeDay.com.

In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of IHOP’s famous buttermilk pancakes on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

This year, IHOP is hoping to stack up more donations than ever before, with a goal to raise $2.3 million, for a total of more than $7.5 million in six years with its National Pancake Day fundraising effort.

To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

National Pancake Day Fun Facts:

• IHOP served four million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2010 and pancake lovers donated more than $2.1 million to children’s charities, far exceeding the fundraising goal.
• All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day 2010 would have created a stack more than 31.5 miles high. 
• Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $5.35 million and given away more than 10.1 million pancakes to support charities in the communities in which it operates. 
• National Pancake Day 2010 was IHOP’s largest one-day event in the company’s 52-year history.

For 52 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, 2010, there were 1,483 IHOPs in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

Immediately following her crowning as Miss America 2011 on Saturday, Teresa Scanlan announced that she will serve as spokesperson for IHOP’s sixth National Pancake Day celebration benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Hoping to raise more than $2.3 million for children’s hospital programs, IHOP will give away millions of its signature buttermilk pancakes on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. In return, America’s favorite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner asks that guests make a voluntary donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and other local charities.

“I love pancakes, and what a fun way to start my year of service as Miss America 2011. I am honored to serve as a national Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and its fundraising partnership with IHOP on National Pancake Day,” said Teresa Scanlan. “IHOP has raised more than $5 million in just five years and I am determined to make 2011 the most successful effort ever.”

IHOP launched its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006 to benefit the communities in which it operates. Last year’s fundraiser was the largest one-day event in IHOP’s 52-year history with more than four million pancakes given away and more than $2.1 million raised for local children’s hospitals and other worthy causes. To date, IHOP has raised more than $5 million dollars in support of local charities and hopes to raise at least $2.3 million in 2011.

“National Pancake Day has become a highly anticipated event each year. It brings families and friends together in an effort to help children in our communities,” said Jean Birch, IHOP president. “We are so pleased to welcome Teresa to our National Pancake Day family and we are excited to partner with the Miss America Organization in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as we continue to make a difference in the lives of children across the country.”

For more information about National Pancake Day, to find a local IHOP, or to donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, please visit www.IHOPpancakeday.com.

IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has announced plans to serve free pancakes as part of the company’s philanthropic National Pancake Day on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Planned as a celebration of friends, family and community, IHOP hopes the program in 2011 will raise $2.3 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a charity that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals, as well as other worthy local causes.

More than 1,500 IHOP restaurants throughout the United States will invite guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP’s signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. as part of the sixth annual National Pancake Day. Guests are invited to donate what they would have paid for the free pancakes, or more, to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or other worthy causes.

“IHOP’s National Pancake Day has become a highly anticipated annual event in communities throughout the United States, and provides our guests a fun opportunity to support the efforts of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities,” said Jean Birch, IHOP’s president. “Last year, we surpassed our goal of raising $5 million in our first five years, and this year we are raising the bar again with our most ambitious fundraising goal to date.”

Additionally, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals “Miracle Balloons” will be sold for $1 and $5 each and will be personalized and displayed at participating IHOP restaurants from February 1 through March 1, 2011. Miracle Balloons offer guests an additional way to show their support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and contribute to the IHOP National Pancake Day fundraising effort.

Since the inception of its National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $5.35 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. In 2010 alone, IHOP served more than four million free pancakes and raised over $2.1 million in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

For more information about IHOP’s National Pancake Day, or to learn more about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and make an online donation, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day 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.

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. While IHOP’s National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year the company will host its free pancake event on Tuesday, February 23, extending the fundraising window by one week to maximize donations for Children’s Miracle Network. With your help, we hope to raise $5 million in five years for Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities through your donations in 2010!

For more information, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com.