Memorial Day weekend in the United States is a time for remembrance and celebration, often marked by community gatherings, outdoor activities, and dining out. For consumers seeking value, the holiday also presents a unique opportunity to access freebies, discounts, and special offers from a wide array of restaurants and retailers. The year 2017 saw a variety of promotions, many of which were tailored to honor military personnel and their families. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the freebies, deals, and eligibility criteria available during Memorial Day 2017, based on compiled information from promotional announcements and deal-focused publications.
The offers detailed below are sourced from a specific 2017 promotional guide and associated deal reports. It is important to note that the availability, terms, and locations of these offers were subject to change and often varied by participating franchise or store. Consumers were advised to verify details directly with local establishments before visiting.
Memorial Day Freebies and Discounts for Military Personnel
A significant portion of Memorial Day promotions in 2017 was dedicated to active duty, retired, and veteran military members. These offers ranged from percentage-based discounts on meals and merchandise to complimentary products and services.
Dining Discounts
Several restaurant chains offered special military discounts for the 2017 Memorial Day weekend. For instance, Applebee’s provided a 10 percent discount for retired or active duty military members from May 27 through May 29. This offer was valid at participating Applebee’s locations owned and operated by the Apple American Group in specific regions of Georgia and Alabama. In Georgia, participating locations included those in Augusta, Dublin, Evans, Flemington, Grovetown, Macon, Milledgeville, Perry, Pooler, Savannah, and Warner Robins. In Alabama, participating restaurants were in Auburn, Oxford, and Phenix City. The discount excluded tax, gratuity, and gift card purchases.
Outback Steakhouse extended a 15 percent off coupon to military personnel and their immediate family, valid through July 4, 2017. Twin Peaks offered a free select meal to honor all armed forces members, past and present. For those seeking a breakfast option, Perkins American Food Co. anticipated offering military members a free Magnificent Seven Breakfast upon presentation of a valid ID. RA Sushi planned to provide a discount on food (excluding drinks) for military members, veterans, Gold Star Families, and first responders during the Memorial Day weekend, requiring a valid military or veteran ID.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond restaurants, other businesses offered discounts to military members. Home Depot and Lowe’s both offered a 10 percent discount for Memorial Day. Under Armour provided a 15 percent discount. Costco offered a $10 to $20 Costco Cash Card for those who purchased a new membership.
Complimentary Products and Services
Brides Across America provided free wedding dresses for military members and first responders. The U.S. National Parks Service offered free access to national parks for current U.S. military members and their dependents using a specific pass. Additionally, a free digital copy of the book "Redeployment" by Phil Klay was available for download. A form was available to request a free "Support The Troops" sticker.
General Memorial Day Food Deals and Freebies
While many promotions were military-focused, a broad spectrum of food deals was available to the general public during the Memorial Day 2017 weekend. These offers often required an in-app purchase, a promo code, or a minimum purchase.
Fast Casual and Restaurant Chains
- BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Offered a coupon for a free appetizer with any $9.95 purchase, with an expiration date of June 17, 2017.
- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Provided a discount on Group Packs for Memorial Day weekend, requiring a promo code at checkout online or in-app.
- Fazoli’s: Anticipated a discount for Memorial Day weekend in 2017, accessible with a promo code at checkout online or in-app.
- Bubbakoo's Burritos: Offered free delivery with no minimum purchase required for orders placed online and in-app during Memorial Day weekend.
- Burger King: Royal Perks members could access a week of daily deals through Memorial Day.
- Raising Cane’s: New Caniac Club members who downloaded the Raising Cane app could receive a free Box Combo. Existing members were anticipated to get a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal.
- Rita's Italian Ice: Offered a free small Kool-Aid Sharkleberry Fin Ice or Ice Blender with an in-app purchase during Memorial Day weekend.
- Shake Shack: Provided a free ShackBurger with an online, in-app, or in-store kiosk purchase using a promo code at checkout.
- Sheetz: Offered two free hot dogs with an in-app promo code.
- Smashburger: New rewards members who downloaded the app and created an account, or existing members who logged in, could receive a free Smashburger during Memorial Day weekend.
- Smoothie King: Rewards members could earn 1,000 bonus points on every purchase during the holiday weekend.
- Subway: Predicted to have a Memorial Day offer on footlongs when ordered online or in-app.
- 7-Eleven: Likely to celebrate with a delivery deal through the 7NOW app and a discount on whole pizzas.
Convenience and Delivery Services
- Gopuff: FAM members were likely to receive discounts on Memorial Day essentials like ice cream sandwiches, sparkling water, hydration drinks, and popsicles.
General Deal Structures
Many of the anticipated deals for 2017 shared common requirements: - In-App or Online Purchase: A significant number of freebies, such as those from Rita’s Italian Ice, Shake Shack, and Sheetz, required a purchase made through a brand’s mobile app or website. - Promo Codes: Discounts on items like Group Packs at Dickey’s or food at RA Sushi often required entering a specific promo code during checkout. - Membership or Account Enrollment: Offers like the free Box Combo from Raising Cane’s or the free Smashburger from Smashburger were typically tied to new app downloads or rewards account sign-ups. - Minimum Purchase: Some deals, like the free appetizer at BJ’s, required a minimum purchase of $9.95. Others, like Bubbakoo's Burritos' free delivery, had no minimum.
Important Considerations for Consumers
When seeking out these freebies and deals, consumers should be aware of several key factors:
- Participation is Not Guaranteed: The listed deals are based on anticipated or reported promotions from 2017. Individual franchise owners or store managers may have chosen not to participate, or may have modified the terms. Calling ahead to confirm participation is always a prudent step.
- Verification of Military Status: For military-specific discounts, valid identification (such as a military ID, veteran ID, or dependent ID) is almost always required. The exact forms of acceptable ID were not specified in the source material and could vary by location.
- Geographic Restrictions: Some offers, like the Applebee’s discount, were limited to specific franchise-owned regions. National chains often have corporate-owned and franchise-owned locations, with offers applying only to one group.
- Expiration Dates: While many Memorial Day deals are valid for the entire weekend (Friday through Monday), some have specific start and end dates. The BJ’s appetizer coupon, for example, was valid until June 17, extending beyond the holiday.
- Exclusions: Always check for exclusions. The Applebee’s discount excluded tax, gratuity, and gift card purchases. The RA Sushi discount excluded drinks.
Conclusion
Memorial Day 2017 offered a diverse landscape of promotional opportunities for U.S. consumers, with a strong emphasis on honoring the military community. The available deals ranged from simple in-app freebies like a free ice cream from Rita's to more substantial discounts on meals and retail purchases. The common thread across many offers was the increasing integration of digital tools—mobile apps and online ordering—as a prerequisite for accessing the best deals. For deal seekers, the key to success lay in careful planning: verifying participation with local establishments, understanding eligibility requirements, and having the necessary identification or app ready. While these specific offers are from 2017, they illustrate the enduring pattern of Memorial Day promotions that consumers can expect in future years.