IHOP Restaurants Hope To Raise $70k For Childhelp

PHOENIX —  March 31, 2006 — IHOP restaurants throughout the state will be accepting donations on behalf of Childhelp during the month of April to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  The month-long event will kick off on the Childhelp National Day of Hope® for abused children, which takes place the first Wednesday of National Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 5th.

“Last year, more than 7,000 Arizona children came to our children’s advocacy center in Phoenix as a result of situations of child abuse,” commented Sara O’Meara, Childhelp chairman, CEO and co-founder.  “Nationally, more than four children die as a result of child abuse in the home each day.”

During the month of April, patrons of IHOP restaurants statewide will have the opportunity to purchase $2.00 pledge cards to support Childhelp in its mission to treat and prevent child abuse and neglect.  In return, donors will receive $2.00 off their next meal at any IHOP restaurant in the state.  Last year, IHOP exceeded its goal of $60,000 for Childhelp and this year plans to do the same with a goal of $70,000 for the organization.  Proceeds from all pledge cards will go directly to the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona.  The National Day of Hope is an annual event that attracts support across the nation.  The goal is to raise public awareness that everyone has the power to help an abused child.

“Arizona IHOPs are proud to support Childhelp,” said Chris Milisci, president and CEO of Romulus Restaurants, an Arizona IHOP Franchisee.  “It is exciting to team up with our customers in efforts to raise awareness and to positively impact the children of our communities.”

Founded in 1959 by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp is one of the oldest and largest national nonprofits dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.  Arizona is home to the organization’s national headquarters; the Childhelp® National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®; the Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona (a one-stop facility for the investigation and treatment of child abuse) and the Childhelp® Children’s Mobile Advocacy Center of Northern Arizona.

On the first Wednesday of each April, Childhelp asks people across the country to light three-wick candles and observe three minutes of silence or prayer in recognition of the three to five children who die each day from abuse, and the millions more who continue to suffer.  Additional information about Childhelp and ways to participate in the National Day of Hope is available at (http://www.childhelp.org/) or by calling (480) 922-8212.

The IHOP family restaurant chain, with 31 locations across Arizona, has been serving a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections for more than 45 years. Offering more than 14 types of pancakes as well as omelettes, breakfast specialties, burgers, sandwiches, chicken and steaks, IHOP's diverse menu appeals to people of all ages. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, California based IHOP Corp. As of December 31, 2005, the end of IHOP's fourth quarter, there were 1,242 IHOP restaurants in 48 states and Canada. IHOP Corp. common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "IHP." For more information, call the Company's Restaurant Support Center at (818) 240-6055 or visit the Company's Website located at http://www.ihop.com/.