Great Pancake PR Programs To Mark National Pancake Day

September 21 marks national pancake day and as such wanted to review some great pancake and food PR programs.

Pancake brands and restaurants have employed various creative Public Relations and marketing strategies to capture attention and drive customer engagement. Here are fifteen notable pancake PR and marketing programs:

1. IHOP’s “National Pancake Day”: IHOP’s annual National Pancake Day, where customers receive a free stack of pancakes in exchange for a donation to children’s hospitals, has become a major event. The campaign garners significant media coverage and social media buzz each year.
2. Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) Promotions: Many restaurants and brands leverage Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, with special offers and themed events. For instance, restaurants might offer discounted or free pancakes, driving traffic and engaging customers.
3. Denny’s “Grand Slam” Day: Denny’s promotes its Grand Slam breakfast with a yearly event offering free Grand Slam breakfasts. The campaign uses social media and local advertising to attract customers and drive awareness.
4. Betty Crocker’s Pancake Recipe Contests: Betty Crocker has run various pancake recipe contests, encouraging customers to submit their own creations. The contests are promoted through social media and other digital channels, engaging the community and showcasing creativity.
5. Pancake Art Contests: Contests that invite participants to create intricate pancake art have become popular. For example, brands or restaurants might host these events, share them on social media, and encourage customer participation.
6. Aunt Jemima’s “Pancake Mix for a Cause”: Aunt Jemima (now Pearl Milling Company) has used limited-edition packaging and promotions to support charitable causes, such as feeding programs. These campaigns help build brand loyalty and positive public relations.
7. Pancake Pop-Up Cafés: Temporary pop-up cafes dedicated to pancakes, often created by popular restaurants or brands, generate excitement and media coverage. They offer unique pancake variations and immersive experiences, attracting both press and social media attention.
8. International Pancake Day Events: Some brands and restaurants host international pancake-related events, such as pancake races or cooking demonstrations, which garner media coverage and engage a wider audience.
9. Pancake Recipe Books and Collaborations: Collaborations between pancake brands and chefs to produce recipe books or exclusive pancake recipes can attract media attention and engage food enthusiasts.
10. Pancake-Themed Social Media Challenges: Social media challenges, such as creating and sharing photos or videos of elaborate pancake creations, can drive user-generated content and boost brand engagement.
11. “Pancake of the Month” Specials: Restaurants or brands that offer a “pancake of the month” with unique ingredients or themes use these promotions to keep their menu exciting and generate regular customer interest.
12. Pancake Breakfast Fundraisers: Hosting pancake breakfasts to support local charities or community groups can generate positive publicity and community goodwill, aligning the brand with social responsibility.

1. Celebrity Chef Pancake Recipes: Collaborations with celebrity chefs to create exclusive pancake recipes or host pancake-making events can generate buzz and attract media coverage.
2. Pancake-Making Kits: Brands offering DIY pancake-making kits, especially those featuring unique or premium ingredients, use online and offline marketing to promote the kits and encourage families to enjoy pancake-making at home.
3. Virtual Pancake Cook-Alongs: Hosting virtual cook-along events where participants can follow along with a chef or influencer to make pancakes from home can engage audiences and create interactive content.

These campaigns leverage a mix of community involvement, charitable causes, social media engagement, and unique experiences to create memorable and effective marketing strategies.