IHOP announced today that it is canceling National Pancake Day this year, citing concerns about the safety of guests and team members as the reason. But there's still a way you can get a free stack of pancakes at IHOP all April long.
The chain has offered the event for more than 15 years, where guests can come in and get a free Short Stack of IHOP buttermilk pancakes. However, this year IHOP is turning Free Pancake Day into a month-long event, offering guests an IOU coupon good for a free Short Stack of buttermilk pancakes starting on April 1. All you have to do is be an existing MyHOP email club member, or register for the service by March 31. Once you get the coupon, it can be redeemed for in-restaurant or to-go orders by visiting IHOP.com or the IHOP Mobile App. Not into memberships? Those who are not MyHOP members can still get a free Short Stack in April, but they'll just have to make a minimum $10 purchase and download the coupon online or on the app.
Many similar events at similar chains, such as Free Slurpee Day at 7-Eleven, have been canceled due to concerns about bringing fans together during the COVID-19 pandemic. “At IHOP, our top priority is the safety of our guests and team members,” said IHOP President Jay Johns: “Given nothing about this past year has been ordinary–and while we look forward to celebrating National Pancake Day with guests under our blue roof in the future—we recognize it’s not possible to gather millions of our closest family and friends in our restaurants on a single day this year."
And because there is typically a charity component during Free Pancake Day, IHOP is encouraging guests to make a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and other local charities like Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You can do so on-check, in-restaurant, or online.
