Coin Shortage Promotions: How Businesses Are Incentivizing Coin Exchange with Free Food and Drinks

A nationwide coin shortage, spurred by reduced circulation and production disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, led many U.S. businesses to implement creative strategies to encourage customers to deposit currency. In response, several retailers and quick-service restaurants introduced limited-time promotional offers, providing free food, beverages, and other incentives to customers who exchanged rolled coins for bills. These initiatives aimed to alleviate operational challenges caused by a lack of small change while simultaneously stimulating the flow of coins back into the financial system.

The shortage, acknowledged by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. Mint in mid-2020, resulted from a combination of factors. According to credit union officials, decreased production at the U.S. Mint, reduced consumer spending with cash, and the inability of consumers to deposit coins at closed retail locations and banks contributed to the scarcity. As the Federal Reserve began rationing coin distribution, retailers found themselves unable to provide exact change, prompting a shift toward exact change payments or the use of loyalty cards to account for differences. In response, businesses sought to incentivize the public to break open their "piggy banks" and reintroduce coins into circulation.

Participating Businesses and Offer Details

Several major chains and local businesses publicly promoted coin exchange incentives. The specifics of these offers varied by location, operator, and availability.

Wawa

Wawa, the convenience store and gas station chain, offered a tiered incentive program at participating locations to address the coin shortage. * $5 Exchange: Customers who exchanged $5 in rolled coins were eligible for a free coffee or fountain drink. * $10 Exchange: Exchanging $10 in rolled coins qualified customers for a free hoagie. (Source data notes that the requirement for the hoagie offer may have increased to $50 at some point, though this varied). * Restrictions: The offer was limited to one per customer. Coins had to be rolled or consist of the same type (e.g., $10 in quarters rather than a mixture of denominations). These exchanges were only accepted during specific time windows, which differed by store (e.g., 8 AM to 3 PM).

Chick-fil-A

A specific Chick-fil-A location in Huntsville, Alabama, launched a localized promotion to assist with the shortage. * Exchange Rate: Customers were offered one free chicken sandwich for every $10 in rolled coins exchanged. * Eligibility: Any combination of rolled coin denominations totaling $10 was accepted. * Limits and Duration: Unlike the Wawa offer, there was no limit on the number of times a customer could participate in the exchange. The store owner indicated the promotion would continue until the specific store had sufficient change inventory. This offer was valid only at the Chick-fil-A on South Memorial Parkway in Huntsville.

7-Eleven

While specific location data was not detailed in the source material, USA Today reported that select 7-Eleven stores were incentivizing coin exchanges. * Incentive: Customers trading $5 in change for $5 in cash received a free Slurpee.

Operational Challenges and Consumer Impact

The coin shortage significantly impacted daily operations for businesses relying on cash transactions. Taxi drivers and laundromat operators reported difficulties in obtaining sufficient change, with one driver noting that he relied on customers providing exact change or quarters to perform routine activities like laundry. Grocery stores and other retailers urged customers to pay with exact change or cards to mitigate the issue.

The U.S. Mint issued statements encouraging Americans to "start spending their coins" or deposit them at financial institutions. The Mint operated at full capacity, minting nearly 1.6 billion coins in June 2020, with plans to increase production. However, until circulation patterns normalized, retailers were forced to adapt. Some businesses stopped giving change entirely, while others applied the difference to loyalty cards.

Coinstar and Financial Institutions

Coinstar kiosks remained operational during the shortage, though foot traffic at supermarkets decreased. Coinstar CEO Jim Gaherity noted that as lockdowns ended, coin transaction volumes began to grow, and the company increased pick-up frequencies to aid circulation. Coinstar offered eGift Cards without a fee but charged an 11.9% service fee for cash redemption.

Banks also played a role in managing the shortage. Some financial institutions, such as the Roanoke Valley Community Credit Union, reported customers bringing in large amounts of coinage—up to $4,000—finally motivated to deposit or exchange the currency they had been hoarding. Banks clarified that they supply coins only to other financial institutions, not directly to businesses, making the flow of currency from consumers to banks critical.

Future Considerations: The Penny Phase-Out

Looking beyond the immediate 2020 shortage, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) raised concerns regarding a potential future shortage driven by policy changes. In early 2025, reports indicated that the production of pennies was ordered to cease due to costs exceeding the coin's face value. With the U.S. Mint striking its final pennies in June 2025 and the Federal Reserve winding down distribution, NACS advocated for federal legislation to permit the rounding of cash transactions. This potential shift suggests that the mechanics of cash transactions may continue to evolve, requiring further adaptation by retailers and consumers.

Conclusion

The 2020 coin shortage prompted a unique intersection of consumer incentives and economic necessity. By offering free sandwiches, coffee, and other perks, businesses like Wawa and Chick-fil-A successfully engaged customers to participate in the reintroduction of currency into the banking system. While the immediate crisis has largely subsided, the event highlighted the fragility of the coin supply chain and the reliance of U.S. commerce on the availability of small denominations.