Michigan News: Rich Rodriguez Skips Out on IHOP Tab

Weirton, WV, January 30, 2008

Former WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez reportedly walked out on his International House of Pancakes breakfast this morning in favor of a more substantial meal at a nearby Shoney's.

Local IHOP Manager Erv Puckman confirmed that the new Michigan coach arrived at 8:45 a.m., ordered several menu items, then dashed out shortly after 9:30 a.m.  

“He was all smiles at first, but then he kept making demands that we tried to keep up with, and when we couldn’t give him everything he wanted, he’s like, ‘I’m outta here.’ I was kind of shocked," said Puckman.

Hostess Millie Packer said Rodriguez established an instant rapport with those around him, and his initial orders of savory bacon and piping hot buckwheat cakes were real crowd pleasers. Then, the former Mountaineer asked for extra syrup and some unsalted butter patties to take home for friends.

“We don’t normally do that kind of thing, but we wanted to keep him happy, so we did. Then he said he wanted hot fudge on his pancakes, but I told him our hot fudge machine doesn’t get turned on until lunch and it takes about 20 minutes to warm up. That’s when he got mad and started throwing other names around like Appleby’s, Shoney's, Bob’s Big Boy.”

Puckman added, “We can’t compete with those boys. They’ve got three times the waiting staff and enough equipment to cater a wedding. We’re just a small restaurant, and we do the best we can with what we’ve got.”

Rodriguez supporter Don Hemhaw defended the coach, saying, "Rich only came in because IHOP promised him a first-class breakfast. Well, they didn't deliver. Rich is a hungry guy. He stays hungry, and he stays humble."

First-year waitress Nancy Davis said the incident has destroyed her trust in morning customers. "When Coach Rodriguez came in, he looked me straight in the eye and said he wasn't leaving until every last biscuit got eaten.  Fool that I am, I believed him."

Veteran waitress Kelly Dillon expressed no surprise. "I know this is a business, so I don't care what he does. If he's still eating at 9:30, I'm here. If he leaves, I'm still here. My shift doesn't end til 10:45."

A dispute remains as to whether Rodriguez owes the restaurant the $40 tab for the meal. Sources close to Rodriguez say he plans to contest the bill on the grounds of false inducement.

His agent, Mike Brown, said, "The menu clearly states 'Service with a Smile.' If Rich knew the service would be so poor, he never would have committed to the griddle cakes, let alone the scone and the three-cheese omelette."

IHOP officials contend they plan to insist that Rodriguez "pay every penny."