The International House of Pancakes is suing the International House of Prayer over the use of the acronym IHOP.

The restaurant chain has filed a federal lawsuit against the Christian ministry for trademark infringement, The Kansas City Star reported.
    
In the lawsuit, the restaurant chain said it holds registered trademarks for the IHOP acronym, and the House of Prayer confuses the public by using it.

"We are compelled to protect the 350 small-business owners who own IHOP franchises and the IHOP good name that's been around for 52 years," IHOP (pancake) spokesman Patrick Lenow told the Star. 
    
The International House of Prayer promotes continuous prayer and has drawn thousands of people to its Kansas City, Mo. location since it opened 10 years ago.

When questioned on why it took a decade for the pancake maker to sue, Lenow explained, "They've expanded - and now some of the branches are serving food."

A spokesperson from the International House of Prayer told CBN News on Thursday that they are reviewing the lawsuit and do not have any comment at this time.