# Free Pancake Promotions This Promotion Celebrates National Pancake Day 2016 By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-03-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-pancake-day-2016 References: [brandeating](http://www.brandeating.com/2016/03/free-pancakes-at-ihop-on-march-8-2016.html) & [ihoppancakeday](http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/) [IHOP](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-pancake-of-the-month) is celebrating National Pancake Day 2016 by giving away free pancakes. Since 2006, the chain has been celebrating the food-themed holiday by treating dinners to a free meal. Now IHOP is bringing the promotion back to give consumers another chance to enjoy its famous flapjacks. On March 8th, 2016, IHOP will be giving away [free short stacks of buttermilk pancakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-cookie-butter-pancakes) between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm. At IHOP, a short stack consists of three fluffy pancakes topped with a dollop of butter. In exchange for the pancakes, dinners are asked to make a donation to [Children's Miracle Network Hospitals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-heartshaped-pizza) or other local charities. This year, the chain aims to collect $3.5 million for charity. The promotion provides a sweet way to celebrate National Pancake Day 2016 while also supporting a good cause. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Free Pancake Promotions:** Opportunity to attract customers and drive traffic by offering free pancakes. - **Charitable Partnerships:** Collaborating with non-profit organizations to raise funds and support local communities. - **Food-themed Holidays:** Utilizing special occasions to create promotional campaigns and engage with customers. ### Where This Applies - **Restaurant:** Restaurants can offer free promotional items to boost customer loyalty and attract new diners. - **Non-profit:** Non-profit organizations can partner with businesses to raise funds for their causes through promotional events. - **Hospitality:** Hotels or resorts can incorporate food-themed holidays into their guest experience to enhance customer satisfaction and create memorable moments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-allyoucaneat-pancakes.md) - [Monthly Pancake Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-pancake-of-the-month.md) - [Unlimited Pancake Diner Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-bottomless-pancakes.md) - [Value-Packed Breakfast Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihop-pancakes.md) - [Social Good Breakfast Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pancakes-for-a-purpose.md) - [Annual Milkshake Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/milkshake-monday.md) - [Unlimited Diner Pancakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-you-can-you-eat-pancakes.md) - [Half-Priced Breakfast Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stacked-pancake.md) - [Digital Pancake Loyalty Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/international-bank-of-pancakes.md)