IHOP launches new range of ‘pancake-inspired coffee’

IHOP is launching a new range of ‘pancake-inspired’ coffee – and it has already hit grocery store shelves.

The pancake house chain teamed up with Kraft Heinz to manufacture the unusual offering which will come in three flavors: signature blend, buttery syrup and chocolate chocolate chip. 

The coffee is available in K-cup pods or bags of grounds and is already available in stores nationwide, with prices starting at $7.99.

To celebrate the launch IHOP is also launching a limited-edition coffee mug diffuser which it says fills the air with a ‘buttery, syrup’ aroma.

The mug can currently be ordered on Amazon.com and will be made available on June 15. 

The flavors on offer include: signature blend, buttery syrup and chocolate chocolate chip

Kieran Donahue, chief marketing officer, IHOP, said: ‘With more than 56 million cups of coffee sold per year, it only made sense to bring the joy of our coffee to retailers nationwide with innovative flavors inspired by our best-selling pancakes.’

Kaitlin Roe, marketing director at Kraft Heinz added: ‘This partnership allows us to combine our scale and capabilities with the power of a fan-favorite brand like IHOP to reach new consumers in the market.’

But many fans were left frustrated that the brand wasn’t offering a coffee in the chain’s beloved blueberry pancake flavor.

One Twitter user wrote: ‘Would there be blueberry coffee in the future?’

Similarly customer Hollie Green wrote on Facebook: ‘I am not a fruity flavored coffee fan (unless it’s coconut) but they missed an opportunity with the blueberry pancakes flavor! I feel like that would be so good.’ 

IHOP has 1,790 restaurants in every state as well as two U.S. territories and 11 international locations.

And it’s not the first time the chain has hit headlines for its unusual culinary pairings.

IHOP is famed for its unusual culinary offerings, having already hit headlines for its ‘cheeseburger omelet’ and maple syrup cola

In 2022, it introduced the ‘cheeseburger omelet’ to its restaurants, made from eggs, beef, cheese, pickles, hash browns and ketchup.

In the same year it also launched a limited-edition maple syrup cola which it released in partnership with Pepsi. 

It comes after the chain announced it was continuing its expansion across the US and is looking for more franchise owners – bucking the trend of mass fast food chain closures. 

Last year it launched an International Bank of Pancakes loyalty program which attracted four million members in its first nine months. 

It also rolled out a new IHOP app and a new online ordering experience which allows guests to pay their checks from their phone by scanning a QR code.

Earlier this week vice president of development at IHOP Jacob Barden said the brand was committed to ‘menu innovation’ to ‘capture new guests.

‘We are always looking at new ways to evolve our business and bring more smiles to our guests’ plates,’ he said.