IHOP: Difference between revisions

[[File:IHOP censored receipt.png|thumb|Receipt ]]

On 11 April, a 19 year old women Maya Thomas went to IHOP to purchase a to go order containing Colorado, Big Steak, and eggs, however upon exiting the restaurant, she discovered a black employee added an discriminatory word.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenney |first=Tanasia |date=3 May 2018 |title=IHOP Offers Customer $10 Gift Card as Apology After Waitress Writes Racial Slur on Receipt |url=https://atlantablackstar.com/2018/05/03/ihop-customer-receives-10-gift-card-apology-waitress-writes-racial-slur-receipt/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Atlanta Black Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Callahan |first=Yesha |date=4 May 2018 |title=IHOP Customer Called the N-Word on Receipt Receives $10 Gift Card as Apology |url=https://www.theroot.com/ihop-customer-called-the-n-word-on-receipt-receives-10-gift-card-as-apology |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=The Root}}</ref> Two days later, Maya contacted IHOP, however they received a 10 IHOP gift certificate via mail days later, resulting in the mother posting the incident on social media and commenting on the situation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2018 |title=IHOP Customer Had N-Word Printed on Receipt, Got $10 Gift Certificate |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5688669/Missouri-IHOP-fires-black-server-printed-inexcusable-n-word-slur-girls-receipt.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Daily Mail}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rocha |first=Isai |date=4 May 2018 |title=IHOP Writes N-Word On Customer Receipt, Apologizes With $10 |url=https://www.foodbeast.com/news/ihop-receipt-slur/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Food Beast}}</ref><blockquote>''"I think that’s really what made her mad. Of all the things you could call someone, you call them that. And then the way you deal with it is by giving them 10 dollars?"''<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Staples |first=Louis |date=4 May 2018 |title=IHOP customer called the 'N-word' by worker on receipt, receives $10 gift card as apology |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/ihop-racism-receipt-gift-card-apology-missouri-maya-thomas-8335851 |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Indy100}}</ref></blockquote>IHOP President Darren Rebelez released the following statement;<blockquote>''"IHOP and its franchisees do not and will not tolerate racism, bigotry or harassment of any kind. The franchisee, who owns and operates this restaurant, once made aware of the incident, terminated the employee in question and immediately contacted the guest to apologize. For 60 years, IHOP and our franchisees have strived to create a warm and hospitable dining experience for all guests, and we are currently working with the franchisee to ensure all possible steps are taken to deliver on that promise.”''<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2018 |title=IHOP server fired for printing racial slur on teen's receipt |url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/ihop-server-fired-for-printing-racial-slur-on-teens-receipt |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Fox News}}</ref></blockquote>Later, a spokesperson for IHOP confirmed the employee was terminated following the incident.<blockquote>''" The franchisee was made aware on the 13th, an investigation was launched that same day and the server was terminated”.''<ref name=":1" /> </blockquote>

===Refusing to serve customers due to their race (''2024'')===

IHOP franchisee  Anthraper Restaurant would release the following statement;<blockquote>''"Since our founding, we have strived to create warm and hospitable dining experiences for all guests, and we have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind, or actions that allude to any form of discrimination. We have fully investigated this matter and taken appropriate actions, including termination of the employees involved. This isolated incident is not reflective of our ongoing commitment to our guests and Team Members.'' ''Additionally, we will be providing additional anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training to ensuring that all remaining Team Members understand the company's unwavering intolerance of any prohibited form of discrimination."''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ledet |first=Jovonne |date=9 Jan 2024 |title=IHOP Workers Fired After Allegedly Refusing To Serve Black Couple |url=https://www.binnews.com/content/2024-01-09-ihop-workers-fired-after-allegedly-refusing-to-serve-black-couple/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 Apr 2026 |website=Black Information Network}}</ref></blockquote>