2018 Food Freebies: A Guide to Restaurant Promotions and Meal Deals

The year 2018 offered a wide variety of food freebies and promotional deals across numerous restaurant chains and food service providers. These offers were often tied to specific holidays, cultural events, or national observances, providing consumers with opportunities to enjoy complimentary meals, desserts, and side items. The promotions varied significantly in terms of eligibility requirements, redemption methods, and availability, ranging from simple in-store freebies to complex gift card purchase incentives.

Restaurant Promotions by Holiday and Event

Several major holidays and events in 2018 served as catalysts for restaurant freebies. Brands frequently used these occasions to drive traffic, reward loyal customers, or encourage specific purchasing behaviors.

Father’s Day Incentives

Father’s Day 2018, observed on June 17, featured a mix of complimentary meals for dads and gift card purchase bonuses. * Beef ‘O’ Brady’s: On June 17 only, participating locations offered a free meal for dads with a purchase of $10 or greater in equal or greater value. * Steak ‘N Shake: Provided a free meal for dads on Father’s Day, limited to two free meals per table or party. This dine-in-only event required a beverage purchase at Dallas and Arlington locations and was not valid with other offers or discounts. * Restaurant Gift Card Promotions: Many chains incentivized gift card purchases, which effectively provided future value to the purchaser. * Applebee’s: Through July 1, customers purchasing a $50 gift card received a $10 bonus card. The bonus card expired on August 12, 2018. * Bahama Breeze: Buying a $50 gift card through June 30 resulted in $20 in Bonus Cards (mailed to the billing address), valid for dine-in use on specific dates in May through August. * TGI Fridays: Purchasing $50 in gift cards through June 30 yielded a $10 Bonus Bites card, valid from July 1 through August 31. * Texas Roadhouse: Offered a $5 bonus eGift card for every $30 spent on gift cards (maximum bonus $100) for a limited time. * B.J.’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: For every $50 in gift cards purchased, customers earned $10 in Bonus Bucks valid starting June 19 through August 31. * Black Angus: Also offered $10 in Bonus Bucks for every $50 in gift cards purchased through June 18.

Tax Day Specials

Tax Day 2018 (April 17) featured several limited-time offers designed to provide relief or value to consumers. * Cicis Pizza: Offered a sale price of $4.17 for a regular adult buffet on April 17, with a coupon required from the restaurant's Facebook page. * Hardee’s: Provided free sausage biscuits from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on April 17. * Hot Dog on a Stick: Gave away a free original turkey or veggie dog on April 17. * Great American Cookies: Offered a free cookies & cream cookie to anyone visiting a participating shop on April 17. * Sonic: Featured half-price cheeseburgers on April 17. * Hooters: Provided a free Kids’ Meal with a restaurant purchase of at least $10 (limit one per adult, for kids under 12). * Firehouse Subs: Offered a free medium sub with the purchase of a full-priced medium or large sub, chips, and a drink (coupon required, valid April 17-19). * Schlotzsky’s: Provided a free small Original sandwich with the purchase of chips and a medium drink. * Chuck E. Cheese’s: Offered one free large cheese pizza for every large pizza purchased (April 17-19). * Kona Ice: Provided free shaved ice from Kona Ice trucks on April 17. * Office Depot: Offered free document shredding (up to 5 lbs) through April 28 with a coupon.

Veterans Day Appreciation

On Veterans Day 2018 (November 11), and the surrounding weekend, many restaurants offered free meals or treats to military personnel and veterans, typically requiring proof of service. * Boston Market: On November 11 and 12, offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal on individual meals with a drink. A coupon was required, but no I.D. * Bruegger’s Bagels: Provided a free cup of coffee (any size) to veterans and active military on Veterans Day. * Buffalo Wild Wings: Offered free traditional or boneless wings with a side of fries for veterans and active military (dine-in only, proof of service required). * Chili’s: Provided a free meal from a select menu for veterans and active military (dine-in only, proof of service required). * Chipotle: Offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal on burritos, bowls, salads, or tacos for active-duty, Guard/Reserve, retired military, and military spouses with ID. * Cicis Pizza: On November 10, offered a free pizza buffet to active or retired military members with ID. * City Barbeque: Provided a free sandwich platter on Veterans Day (proof of service required). * Cookies by Design: Offered a free iced sugar cookie to military members and veterans at the North Olmsted location from November 8 to 10. * Cracker Barrel: Provided a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or a Crafted Coffee on Veterans Day.

Election Day Participation

In November 2018, some restaurants encouraged civic participation by offering food items to those who voted in the Midterm Elections. * Shake Shack: Offered free fries with any order on Election Day (November 6) for customers who likely possessed an "I Voted" sticker.

National Food Holidays

Various national food days throughout the year prompted specific promotions. * National Pizza Day (February 9): * Baskin-Robbins: Offered free samples of Sweetheart Polar Pizza Ice Cream from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. * Blaze Pizza: Provided a free fountain drink with any pizza order and a BOGO deal. * California Pizza Kitchen: Offered the new cauliflower crust at no additional charge (on this day only; normally a $2.50 fee). * December Specials: * Burger King: Through January 6, offered a free order of Chicken Fries with a $5 spend on DoorDash using promo code NEWYEAR. Limited to the first 30,000 orders and valid for participating locations within delivery zones. * Chipotle: Through January 7, offered free delivery on orders $10 or more for the "Chipotle Free Delivery Bowl" via the app or website.

Online and Non-Restaurant Food Freebies

While most offers were restaurant-based, some extended to other food-related services or retail locations. * CVS Photo: Offered a free 8x10 photo print (a $3.99 value) with same-day in-store pickup using promo code DADPRINT, limit 1 per customer. * Dollar Tree: Featured Father’s Day cards for $1 each (some 2 for $1). * Massage Envy: Offered a voucher for a free 30-minute Today Body Stretch session with a $125 gift card purchase.

Conclusion

The landscape of food freebies in 2018 was dominated by restaurant chains leveraging holidays and specific calendar dates to drive sales and engagement. Offers ranged from direct free meals for specific groups (such as fathers and veterans) to bonus value cards tied to gift card purchases. Consumers had to navigate various restrictions, including specific redemption dates, coupon requirements, proof of eligibility, and purchase minimums. While many offers provided genuine value without purchase (e.g., Veterans Day meals, Tax Day treats), a significant portion of the promotions were structured as incentives for future spending or delivery orders.