IHOP and Children's Miracle Network Receive Gold Halo Award
CHICAGO, IL, May 29, 2009 — IHOP, one of America's favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, today announced that its 2008 National Pancake Day Celebration was recognized with the Cause Marketing Forum's prestigious 2009 Gold Halo Award. IHOP and its national charity partner, Children's Miracle Network, both received the Gold Halo Award for Best Transactional Campaign, which highlights cause-marketing campaigns that generate donations via consumer activity.
The award was presented at the Cause Marketing Halo Awards luncheon at the Westin Chicago River North on May 28 to campaigns that occurred in whole or in part in 2008. The Halo Awards are given annually by the Cause Marketing Forum to both businesses and non-profit organizations, and is the country's highest honor for organizations involved in cause marketing.
"Giving back to the communities that support IHOP is a big part of our franchise culture," said Carolyn O'Keefe, IHOP's senior vice president, marketing. "We are proud that our National Pancake Day efforts have been able to make an impact on the lives of thousands of children, and on behalf of our dedicated franchisees, employees and generous guests, we are pleased to accept this honor."
IHOP's National Pancake Day celebration is designed to bring together friends and family, as well as to raise money for children's charities in the communities where IHOP operates. On National Pancake Day, IHOP invites its guests to enjoy a free short stack of IHOP's signature buttermilk pancakes and in return, IHOP guests are asked to donate what they would have paid for the free pancakes to their local Children's Miracle Network hospital. In 2008, IHOP introduced Miracle Balloons to the campaign, and restaurants sold $1 Miracle Balloons prior to Pancake Day to generate additional donations.
"In a culture where consumers are constantly being bombarded with advertising, donation requests and countless other marketing efforts, IHOP has developed a fundraising campaign that cuts through the noise and produces impressive results," said Scott Burt, president and CEO, Children's Miracle Network. "Every dollar raised by IHOP will go to Children's Miracle Network hospitals around the country, helping to fund miracles for millions of children. While awards are always appreciated, IHOP franchisees, employees and guests should be most proud of the life-changing impact they are having on children in their community."
Since beginning its National Pancake Day Celebration in 2006, the IHOP system has raised more than $3.25 million to support charities in the communities in which IHOP operates. To learn more about IHOP's National Pancake Day Celebration, please visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.
ABOUT CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK
Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals. Countless individuals, 90 organizations and 400 media partners unite with Children's Miracle Network hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to Children's Miracle Network create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children each year. To learn more go to www.ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.
ABOUT IHOP
For 50 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 March 31, 2009, there were 1,402 IHOPs in 50 states, Canada and Mexico. 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).
