IHOP and Julie Bowen Bring ‘80s Nostalgia to the Table with Loverboy’s 'Working for the Weekday'

Teaming up with iconic rock band Loverboy, IHOP and its creative agency of record, Pereira O'Dell, have reimagined the band’s legendary hit “Working for the Weekend” into the catchy new anthem, “Working for the Weekday.” The campaign celebrates the launch of IHOP’s new $6 House Faves menu, making every day feel like the weekend.

Launched on October 1st, the campaign leans heavily on a joyful sense of nostalgia. The centrepiece is a music video, where syrup bottles play the starring roles, recreating Loverboy’s original video scene-for-scene, but with a breakfast-inspired twist. Fans of the original will appreciate the cheeky tribute, while new viewers will enjoy the sheer fun of syrup bottles rocking out. The video will run across IHOP’s social media platforms, driving engagement with a blend of humour and feel-good vibes.

In an extra nod to vinyl lovers and collectors, IHOP will also release a limited-edition vinyl record of the reworked song, designed to look like a pancake. The collectible will be available via giveaways on IHOP’s social channels, giving fans another reason to engage with the brand.

But the fun doesn’t stop at social media. IHOP is bringing in a familiar face to amplify the message: Julie Bowen, affectionately known as “America’s Favorite Mom” from Modern Family. Bowen stars in a TV spot, reinforcing the idea that “Weekdays are the New Weekends.” The ad spotlights the joy of indulging in IHOP’s $6 House Faves any day of the week, encouraging people to ditch the idea that they have to wait for the weekend to have a good time.

“We’ve always believed that life is too short to wait for the weekend, especially when you can enjoy IHOP’s $6 House Faves any day of the week. Partnering with Loverboy to transform their iconic weekend anthem into a weekday hit is our way of saying, ‘Why save all the fun for Saturday?’ We feel incredibly lucky to work with a brand as adventurous as IHOP, who’s not afraid to dress up syrup bottles and have them dance their way into everyone’s hearts. Here’s to making every day a little sweeter and a lot more fun,” said Matt Kappler, creative director at Pereira O'Dell.

The integrated campaign, which will span TV, social media, and radio, is designed to capture attention and drive home the message that breakfast at IHOP is worth celebrating—no matter what day it is. By blending music, humour, and nostalgia, IHOP is tapping into a feel-good factor that resonates with both longtime fans of Loverboy and new audiences alike.

With vibrant visuals, a catchy new song, and the irresistible appeal of IHOP’s $6 House Faves, this campaign is set to make every day of the week feel like a mini weekend. After all, why wait for Saturday when you can treat yourself today?