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I haven’t been to IHOP that many times over the course of my life, but when I have, it’s been to order pancakes to soak up the alcohol still in my stomach the night before— a strategy that is base on no scientific evidence whatsoever but which I will still rely on for the rest of my life. I’m sure they have some non-pancake items on the menu, but I’ve never wasted any time looking at them.
Last week, IHOP set the chain restaurant world abuzz when they announced they would be changing their name to “IHob” because they apparently think people will be more drawn to a restaurant that sounds like a failed Apple product. However, they neglected to mention what that “b” might stand for.
As you’d probably expect, the internet immediately launched into full speculation mode. Would the chain attempt to be more inclusive to other items with an all-encompassing “breakfast” label? Perhaps they could be focusing on the far-superior biscuit? Or maybe they’d decided to dip their toes in Russian cuisine and become the first nationwide restaurant to focus on borscht.
However, it appears that none of those guesses were correct, as the company finally revealed they’re expanding the culinary horizons to focus on one thing: burgers.
Dear Internet, we abbreciate your batience. Now let’s see who guessed right. B-hold!!!!! #IHOb pic.twitter.com/Fh3SkZ7s3Y
— IHOP (@IHOP) June 11, 2018
It certainly one hell of a pivot, but according to the president of The Restaurant Formerly Known as IHOP, the change is only temporary. He told CNN:
“We are definitely going to be IHOP. But we want to convey that we are taking our burgers as seriously as our pancakes.”
In my experience, as long as they throw an egg on the top of every single burger they serve, it’ll be hard for them to screw this up.