IHOP restaurants' National Pancake Day breaks fundraising records

11th annual event raises $3.9 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities

They came, they ate, they donated.

Thousands of pancake lovers nationwide walked into their local IHOP restaurants' doors March 8 to celebrate the cultural phenomenon known as National Pancake Day. From 7 a.m. until the evening, they enjoyed one free stack of world-famous buttermilk pancakes and, in a show of generosity, broke all existing records for National Pancake Day. Donations totaled $3.9 million for the local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in their communities.

Thanks to the generosity of its guests and franchisees, IHOP easily exceeded its goal of $3.5 million, and once again was a trending topic on several social media platforms, garnering significant media attention across the country.

This year, members of Kiwanis International, including Key Clubs and Circle K, along with volunteers from the other charity organizations, participated at their local restaurants, reminding guests these free pancakes had a purpose: helping children in their own community receive needed medical aid and treatment.

IHOP invited guests to show their appreciation by making a voluntary donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and other local charities.

The event is unique in that the funds raised at each IHOP location stay within that local community and go toward helping children in guests' own backyard.

With this latest total, National Pancake Day has now raised $24 million for charity since its inception in 2006.

More than 1,600 IHOP restaurants worldwide participated in enjoying "pancakes with a purpose."

"Everyone at IHOP is so grateful to our franchisees, team members and guests who helped this year's National Pancake Day celebration raise a record-breaking amount of money for sick children in our communities," said Darren Rebelez, president, International House of Pancakes. "This has truly become a day when everyone comes together at IHOP to show the true meaning of community. We are proud of National Pancake Day and what it represents - and especially what it has accomplished."

To learn more about National Pancake Day, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.