IHOP causes a stir in brilliant marketing scheme
The famous pancake chain is aiming to beef up its sales by changing its name
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Last week, IHOP teased a big change to the chain by flipping their logo to read IHOb. While people guessed the 'b' stood for breakfast or brunch, the chain created a poll for Twitter users to vote on whether it stands for biscuits, bacon, butternut squash, or barnacles.
Plot twist: it stands for burgers.For 60 pancakin’ years, we’ve been IHOP. Now, we’re flippin’ our name to IHOb. Find out what it could b on 6.11.18. #IHOb pic.twitter.com/evSxKV3QmT
— IHOb (@IHOb) June 4, 2018
In a playful series of tweets that swapped out the letter 'p' for 'b', the famous breakfast chain brought a wave of attention to their burgers, some happy, and some less enthused.Dear Internet, we abbreciate your batience. Now let’s see who guessed right. B-hold!!!!! #IHOb pic.twitter.com/Fh3SkZ7s3Y
— IHOb (@IHOb) June 11, 2018
International House of BURGERS!?!? Not to overreact but I guess cats can just start dressing up like dogs and we're all totally fine with anything! BURN EVERYTHING TO THE GROUND.
— The Opposition w/ Jordan Klepper (@TheOpposition) June 11, 2018
While it may seem like a brand new change, IHOP has actually had burgers on its menu since it first launched in 1958. Chief Marketing Officer Brad Haley explains that the burgers have been revamped through rigorous consumer research, claiming, "We really left no pickle unturned," AdAge reports. "We had to communicate the fact that we have burgers in a very disruptive way," Haley added, and it seems everything has gone according to plan.Make Pancakes Pancake Again
— The Opposition w/ Jordan Klepper (@TheOpposition) June 11, 2018
While it is a brilliant plan, hundreds of people are still taking the opportunity to poke fun at this marketing scheme, including A&W, the popular burger joint:
Inspired by the International House of Burgers announcement, we are also changing our name (Please do not ask what it means — we don’t know either.) pic.twitter.com/0HPQtQirHn
— A&W Restaurants (@awrestaurants) June 11, 2018