Miss Universe Canada Named Canadian Ambassador for IHOP's National Pancake Day

Pancake Day is a tradition that dates back several centuries to when the English prepared for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products…hence the name Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.

An avid supporter of children’s causes, Paola Nunez, Miss Universe Canada 2015, has been named the Canadian Ambassador for National Pancake Day on Tuesday, March 8. She will join IHOP Restaurants and Children’s Miracle Network to raise much needed funds to help improve the lives of sick children throughout the country. On Tuesday, March 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.*, participating IHOP restaurants throughout Canada will offer one free short stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes to guests and invite them to leave a voluntary donation behind for Children’s Miracle Network.

On National Pancake Day, Nunez will trade in her tiara for a chef’s hat and apron to make personal appearances and flip and serve pancakes to bring awareness to the family-friendly restaurants’ annual fundraising event. This is the third year that National Pancake Day will take place in Canada, and all money raised will stay within the local community where it is was donated.

“I am excited to partner with IHOP and Children’s Miracle Network for National Pancake Day 2016 in Canada,” said Paola Nunez. “As an advocate of giving back and making a difference for children in need, I am honored to be a part of an annual fundraising effort that is dedicated to improving the lives of kids in need across Canada.”

National Pancake Day, which began in the United States in 2006, is now also celebrated in IHOP restaurants throughout Mexico and the Philippines as well as Guam and Puerto Rico.

“We are thrilled to have Paola join us as an ambassador for National Pancake Day,” said Daniel del Olmo, President, International, Dine Equity, Inc. “We are so grateful to work with the Miss Universe Canada Organization once again to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network and the work their hospitals do on behalf of children throughout the provinces of Canada. Helping to improve the lives of our children is a core value of IHOP and all our franchises and guests across Canada. Who better to represent that than Miss Universe Canada?”

For more information about National Pancake Day, to find a local IHOP restaurant, or to donate to Children’s Miracle Network, please visit www.IHOPpancakeday.com.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES, LLC

For over 57 years, International House of Pancakes, LLC has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of September 30, 2015, there were 1,667 IHOP restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and the Philippines. 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).