IHOP Salutes America's Independence Day and the Restaurant's 50th Birthday With New State-Inspired Pancake Flavors

Continuing Its Summer-Long Discover America Celebration, IHOP Serves Up Three New Pancakes Now Through July 27

Just a few days after our nation observes its independence, IHOP will celebrate its 50th birthday on July 7. To mark these special events, IHOP invites pancake lovers to Discover America with new, state-inspired pancake flavors. Since first opening its doors in Toluca Lake, Calif. in 1958, IHOP, one of America's favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, quickly became a national icon thanks to its famous buttermilk pancakes. To honor its pancake roots and American heritage, IHOP has created new pancake flavors that celebrate the country from north to south and east to west.

The summer long celebration kicked off June 2 with the first three of nine new Discover America pancake flavors. Maine Blueberry, California Strawberry and Kansas Carrot Cake pancakes were available June 2 through June 29. Today three new flavors are being introduced that are available until July 27. The new flavors include:

--  All-American Red, White and Blueberry:  Two fluffy buttermilk pancakes
    crowned with cool strawberries, blueberry compote and creamy whipped
    topping;
--  Georgia Praline Peach Streusel:  Two fluffy buttermilk pancakes loaded
    with praline pecans, crowned with peach compote, crispy cinnamon streusel,
    praline pecans and creamy whipped topping;
--  New York Cheesecake:  Two pancakes loaded with creamy, rich cheesecake
    pieces, crowned with cool strawberries, powdered sugar and creamy whipped
    topping.
    

"We wanted to create some real fireworks this July as we celebrate IHOP's 50th birthday and our nation's Independence Day," said Carolyn O'Keefe, IHOP's senior vice president, marketing. "What better way to recognize our nation's signature Red, White and Blue, the sweetness of Georgia peaches and the famed New York Cheesecake, than to bring these flavors to life in our famous pancakes?"

Each Discover America combo starts at $4.99 and includes the guest's choice of the same two Discover America pancakes, two eggs any style and crispy hash browns, and for just a little more guests can add their favorite breakfast meat, including pork sausage links, hickory smoked bacon or ham. Pricing may vary by location. Discover America pancakes, along with all IHOP menu items, are available for takeout any time of day with IHOP 'n Go.

Additionally, guests can visit www.ihop.com to enter the Discover America Sweepstakes for a chance to win various prizes, including a trip to New York, Los Angeles or Chicago, vote for their favorite Discover America pancake and play trivia games. Baseball fans can catch the IHOP Discover America Recreational Vehicle (RV) at their favorite Minor League Baseball games as the IHOP Discover America Road Tour crosses the country bringing cheer, games and giveaways all summer long. A Most Valuable Pancake (MVP) mascot will entertain the crowd as the second leg of the tour lands between June 30 and July 29 in Geneva, Ill., Indianapolis, Ind., Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis, Tenn., Mobile, Ala., New Orleans, La., and Tulsa, Okla. The final stretch of the tour runs through September 1, and will visit baseball games in Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and California.

For more information about the Discover America state-themed pancake flavors and Road Tour schedule, to enter the Discover America Sweepstakes, or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, visit www.ihop.com.

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, 2008, there were 1,353 IHOPs in 49 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and Mexico. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based IHOP, a subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).