Perkins® Restaurant & Bakery to Give Away Free Made-From-Scratch Buttermilk Pancakes During 'Perkins Pancake Day' on March 21 to Benefit Give Kids The World®

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Perkins Restaurant & Bakery announced today that more than 420 of its locations will join together on Monday, March 21 for a system-wide fundraiser benefitting Give Kids The World, a nonprofit organization that provides week-long vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families at a fanciful, "storybook" retreat in Central Florida. Guests dining at participating restaurants on "Perkins Pancake Day" can enjoy a free short stack of Perkins made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes, expertly prepared using Perkins legendary recipe created and perfected more than 50 years ago. In return, guests can consider making a donation to Give Kids The World.

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"What started as a small movement to raise money for Give Kids The World more than 15 years ago has blossomed into a system-wide effort for our restaurants to give back to such an important organization that shares our values and gives families a respite from their challenging circumstances," says Bob Winters, Senior Vice President, Development for Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. "Just as families have been making memories over our legendary buttermilk pancakes for more than 50 years, Give Kids The World creates unforgettable memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their very deserving families."

Each year, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery serves more than 200,000 free meals at the 200-seat Gingerbread House Restaurant, located in the heart of the Give Kids The World Village. Over the years, more than 4 million free meals have been served. In addition to annual fundraising efforts, ongoing activities for Give Kids The World include community-oriented events and specially marked coin boxes for spare change in the lobbies of most Perkins restaurants.

"A week at Give Kids The World Village gives happiness and hope to families of children with life-threatening illnesses," said Pamela Landwirth, president, Give Kids The World. "For one week, they can spend time together and have fun. Only through the support of generous partners like Perkins Restaurant & Bakery and delicious events like 'Perkins Pancake Day' can we continue to provide this amazing gift to families who need it most."

About Perkins Restaurant & Bakery:

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is the leading operator and franchisor of nearly 500 full-service family dining restaurants. Founded in 1958, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery offers consumers in 34 states and five Canadian provinces a full menu of over 90 assorted breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert items at competitive prices. Breakfast items are available any time of day.

For more information, please visit www.perkinsrestaurants.com.

About Give Kids The World

Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Give Kids The World provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 106,000 families from all 50 states and 72 countries.

For more information, please visit www.givekidstheworld.org.

*Limit one short stack of pancakes per customer. Available at participating restaurants. Hours may vary. Contact your local Perkins Restaurant & Bakery for details.

SOURCE Perkins Restaurant & Bakery