Remember IHOb, the name change that rocked the world? No? Well, here’s a brief recap. Last year, IHOP, the International House of Pancakes specializing in breakfast foods, underwent a pretty controversial rebranding. After cryptically announcing its name change to IHOb, the restaurant’s Twitter account initially refused to explain what the “b” stood for or why it was lowercase. The Twitterverse quickly started speculating about what the “b” represented, with “breakfast” and “bacon” among the most popular guesses.
Unsurprisingly, most people weren’t pleased when IHOP finally unveiled its new name a week later — and here’s why.
IHOP, the restaurant famous for its pancakes, had inexplicably decided to change its name to IHOb, the International House of Burgers.
Yes, you read that right. What’s worse is that IHOP went back on its word just a few weeks later, confessing the announcement was just a cheeky way of promoting its new burger offerings. The chain’s burger sales doubled in the weeks and months following the promotion, too. Guess the joke was on us the whole time, huh?
But on Monday, May 27th, IHOP took to Twitter with another vaguely familiar announcement, leading us all to wonder if there was yet another fake name change in store.
What could the P be? Find out June 3. #IHOP pic.twitter.com/fARA5GmQj1
— IHOP (@IHOP) May 27, 2019
Seriously, IHOP? If you ask us, the “P” has always and should always stand for pancakes.
Unsurprisingly, we’re not the only ones who think so.
Always has been and always will be IHOP.#IHOP
— Mary Paz (@Pazmary1201) May 28, 2019
In response to IHOP’s announcement, Twitter lit up with the usual array of guesses and hilarious GIFs.
International House of Pie seems like a decent guess.
International House of Pizza? Not so much.
International house of PIZZA 😮
— Lissette⚡リセット (@LissTanukis) May 28, 2019
This isn’t Olive Garden, Abby.
The International House of Patriotism sounds a bit too political for a pancake place, though.
Bazinga.
If IHOP starts making pancakes I'm going to HAVE to go there
— Jay (@JasonTrekkie) May 28, 2019
One GIF can say a thousand words.
We don’t either, Matthew. We don’t either.
Perfectly captures exactly how we’re feeling right now.
There was a fair share of snark, too.
Yikes. That’s a tough one to respond to.
@IHOP Internation House of Phood pic.twitter.com/cLyARWXiqm
— DES (@DaveStrong1208) May 28, 2019
We prefer this interpretation.
So you’re changing your name from IHOP to ... IHOP?
— ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@YankeeHawkeye) May 28, 2019
Whatever you do, keep an eye on Twitter for the big announcement, coming June 3rd.
Last year, the Internet had a lot to say about IHOb. Well, we heard you. Stay tuned for June 3. #IHOP pic.twitter.com/ycbk0rKAY8
— IHOP (@IHOP) May 28, 2019
You don’t want to be the last one to learn IHOP’s new fake name, do you?
