Kelsey Pfendler Set Rowing Record Across Pacific After Denny's Meal
Kelsey Pfendler ate her final meal, a Philly Cheesesteak Omelette, at Denny's before setting a solo world record rowing across the Pacific. The restaurant chain learned of the feat three weeks after her journey began.
Restaurant chain Denny's was unaware of Kelsey Pfendler's world record until three weeks after she completed her solo rowing journey across the Pacific Ocean. Pfendler consumed her last meal before the expedition, a Philly Cheesesteak Omelette, at a Denny's location in Monterey, California, prior to embarking on the 2,400-mile trip, a feat previously unaccomplished by an American woman alone.
Pfendler's team informed the franchise of her achievement three weeks into her voyage. Fasika Melaku, Denny's Chief People, Enterprise Communications and Social Impact Officer, described the moment of discovery as "like Christmas." The chain is currently undergoing a turnaround under new ownership and had been actively collecting stories that connected real individuals to its brand.
Rather than immediately capitalizing on the news, Denny's prioritized Pfendler's safety and her team's needs. The company maintained daily communication with her crew and organized a welcome celebration in Waikiki upon her arrival after 43 days at sea.
Upon her triumphant return, Pfendler's celebratory meal mirrored her pre-journey order: a burger, a stack of pancakes, and the Philly Cheesesteak Omelette. Her solo Pacific crossing stands as a new record for the route.