IHOP Joins Forces with U.S. Mint to Promote New Golden Dollar Coins

IHOP, one of America's most popular Restaurant chains, announced that it will break a 40-year tradition for the first time by changing the name of it's popular "Silver Dollar Pancakes" to "Golden Dollar Pancakes. The change celebrates a joint venture between IHOP and the U.S. Mint that will work to put up to six million Golden Dollar coins into circulation over a two-month period.

"IHOP Silver Dollar Pancakes have been enjoyed by millions of American's over the past 40 years," said Dennis Leifheit, IHOP Corp. chief operating officer. "We are excited to support the U.S. Mint in their efforts to get the sought-after Golden Dollars in our customers hands. The partnership reinforces IHOP's position as a part of the American culture and as one of the country's most popular family restaurant chains."

IHOP Golden Dollar events are being held during the first two weeks of May in DC, Miami, Dallas, and Los Angeles to announce this partnership. These events will include opportunities for elementary students from local schools to meet U.S. Mint officials and participate in a Golden Dollar Pancake Breakfast. IHOP will donate $500 to each elementary school attending the breakfasts.

In support of its partnership with the U.S. Mint, IHOP also launched a new commercial. As advertised in the new commercials, IHOP's Golden Dollar campaign features a sweepstakes promotion in which IHOP will award $10,000 Golden Dollars to the winner.

In addition to the IHOP Golden Dollar partnership, the U.S. Mint has formed successful partnerships with a host of banks, retailers, and other corporations numbering over 750 businesses in 230,000 locations to remind consumers the Golden Dollar is not only a beautiful collectable, but rather an everyday currency meant to be used. In February 2001, Safeway, one of the largest grocery chains, announced its commitment to order and distribute Golden Dollar coins.

The IHOP family restaurant chain has been serving up a wide variety of mouthwatering selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than 40 years. Offering more than 16 types of pancakes, omelettes, and other breakfast specialties as well as burgers, chicken, and steaks, IHOP's diverse menu appeals to people of all ages. Restaurants are developed, operated, and franchised by Glendale, Calif.-based IHOP Corp., which is publicly traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "IHP." As of December 31, 2000, the end of the company's fourth quarter, there were 968 IHOP restaurants in 41 states, Canada, and Japan.