GLENDALE, CA–(Marketwire – October 4, 2010) –  For decades, IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has been offering a side of giggles with its Funny Face Pancakes. In the fun and frightful spirit that October brings, IHOP is introducing a Halloween version of the Funny Face Pancake and launching an online contest today that invites pancake lovers nationwide to name the newest addition to the company’s plentiful pancake portfolio. The Scary Face Pancake is available this October for kids 12 and under and includes an oversized signature buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini OREO® cookies and candy corn on the side so kids can create their own Halloween hotcake. The Scary Face Pancake, like all IHOP Kids menu items, is under 600 calories. 

The “Name IHOP’s Scary Face Pancake” online contest invites pancake lovers nationwide to submit an entry of up to 100 words that includes a suggested name and why they chose the name for the festive new pancake. Entries will be judged based on entertainment value, originality and emotional impact and the winner will receive a year’s supply of IHOP’s famous buttermilk pancakes (defined as gift cards in the value of one short stack per day for 365 days) or a total of $1,460 in IHOP gift cards.

“Since the face of IHOP’s Scary Face Pancake will change with each creative pancake artist’s imagination, we are calling on our guests to tell us more about their pancake’s personality with a fun new name,” said Carolyn O’Keefe, IHOP’s senior vice president, marketing.

Entries to the “Name IHOP’s Scary Face Pancake” will be accepted from October 4 through October 20 and the winner will be announced on October 22, 2010. For complete rules, information or to submit an entry, visit www.ihop.com. 

On Friday, October 29, participating IHOP restaurants will celebrate Halloween a little early and offer trick or treaters 12 and under a free Scary Face Pancake (one per child) from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Also available at participating IHOPs this October are Trick or Treat All-You-Can-Eat-Buttermilk Pancakes.

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.ihop.com. Prices may vary by location.

ABOUT IHOP
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 June 30, 2010, there were 1,476 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).