Comprehensive Guide to Halloween 2017 Freebies and Restaurant Deals for Families and Consumers

Halloween 2017 presented a diverse array of complimentary offers and promotional specials across the United States, extending far beyond traditional trick-or-treating candy. These opportunities allowed families, individuals, and costumed patrons to access free food items, participate in retail events, and enjoy digital entertainment perks without incurring costs. The available deals ranged from restaurant freebies requiring costume participation to membership-based meal discounts and digital rental codes. Understanding the specific terms, eligibility requirements, and participation locations was essential for consumers seeking to maximize value during the holiday.

The landscape of Halloween freebies in 2017 was characterized by a mix of national chain promotions and regional offers. Many brands utilized the holiday to drive foot traffic through interactive events, such as craft activities and costume parades, while others focused on direct food giveaways. A significant portion of the available deals required specific actions from consumers, such as joining loyalty programs, making purchases, or simply appearing in costume. The following comprehensive guide details these offers, categorized by type and eligibility, to assist consumers in navigating the promotional environment of Halloween 2017.

Restaurant and Food Service Freebies

The restaurant sector was the primary source of free food offers during Halloween 2017, with numerous national and regional chains participating. These promotions generally fell into two categories: free items for anyone in costume and free meals for children with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Costume-Required Freebies

Several establishments offered free food items to any customer wearing a Halloween costume. These deals were typically limited to one per guest and often required the customer to mention the promotion or show a social media post.

Krispy Kreme: Participating locations in the United States and Canada offered one free doughnut of the customer's choice on October 31 to anyone wearing a costume. Additionally, while supplies lasted, customers could purchase a 24-count of doughnut holes for $5.99 to receive a free glow-in-the-dark bucket, or purchase the bucket alone for $3.99.
BurgerFi: This chain provided a free small custard to customers in costume at participating locations nationwide on October 31. The offer was limited to one per guest with no substitutions, and customers were advised to mention the offer or show the post on the BurgerFi Facebook page.
Nestle Toll House Café: Patrons visiting participating locations on October 31 could receive a free regular chocolate chip cookie by wearing a costume or showing their best smile. This offer was available to both adults and kids.
Insomnia Cookies: Customers visiting any of the chain's more than 100 locations in costume on Halloween received one free traditional cookie. This in-store offer was valid until 3:00 a.m. on November 1, local time.
El Fenix: This restaurant offered a free ghost-shaped sopapilla to guests dining in on October 31. The deal required a specific request by the diner and was limited to one per person, per visit.
Burger King: A highly specific promotion was available at five select locations across the country. Customers dressed as clowns who were among the first 500 to visit between 7:00 p.m. and closing time received a free Whopper.

Kids Meal Freebies

Family-oriented restaurants frequently offered free kids meals to encourage dining out on Halloween. These offers typically required the purchase of an adult entrée and had age restrictions for the children.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill: Families dining on October 31 with children aged 12 and younger could receive up to two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult entrée. It is important to note that this specific special was confirmed to be available at locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and Long Island. While other locations may have offered similar specials, consumers were advised to verify with their local restaurant.
Baja Fresh: Members of the Club Baja loyalty program were eligible for a free kids meal on Halloween with the purchase of an adult entrée. This offer required an email coupon, which was sent out on Halloween morning. Consumers were advised to sign up at www.bajafresh.com/clubbaja promptly to ensure receipt of the coupon.
99 Restaurants: This chain offered a free kids meal to children aged 10 and younger on October 31 with the purchase of an adult entrée. The policy allowed for one free kids meal per adult meal purchased. The chain also offered a Halloween to-go meal deal for $35.99, designed to feed four to six people.
Chuck E. Cheese: Participating locations provided free slices of Candy Corn Pizza on the hour, every hour from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on October 31, while supplies lasted. Additionally, children wearing Halloween costumes received 50 free tickets during the promotional period.

Retail and Entertainment Freebies

Beyond food service, other retail sectors offered free activities and products. These deals focused on providing experiences and value-added services rather than direct food consumption.

Bass Pro Shops Activities

Bass Pro Shops hosted its annual Great Pumpkin Celebration, offering a variety of free activities for children. The festivities generally took place on October 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on October 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., though hours and participation varied by location. Activities included: * Free crafts and pumpkin bean bag toss games for prizes. * Trick-or-treating events starting at 5:00 p.m. on Halloween. * A costume parade at 6:00 p.m. on Halloween, with participants receiving a freebie while supplies lasted. * Free photos and other kids' activities.

Digital and Miscellaneous Offers

Redbox: Consumers could text the word "RETURN" to 727272 to receive a code for a free one-day DVD rental or a $1.50 discount on a Blu-ray or video game rental. The generated code expired on November 4.
Baskin-Robbins: While not strictly a freebie, this chain offered an ice cream cone for $1.50 on October 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at participating locations.

Regional and Local Variations

While many offers were national, some deals were specific to certain regions or required local verification. For instance, the Applebee's kids meal deal was explicitly tied to Doherty Enterprises-operated locations in specific states. Similarly, the Burger King clown promotion was limited to five undisclosed locations. Consumers were consistently advised to check with their closest local establishments to confirm participation and specific terms, as franchise ownership and regional management decisions often influenced deal availability.

Conclusion

Halloween 2017 provided a robust selection of freebies and deals for U.S. consumers, ranging from complimentary doughnuts and cookies to free kids meals and retail event participation. The most widespread offers centered on costume-based free food at national chains like Krispy Kreme and BurgerFi, while family dining was supported through kids meal promotions at establishments such as Applebee's, Baja Fresh, and 99 Restaurants. Retailers like Bass Pro Shops contributed experiential value through free Halloween activities. Success in accessing these offers depended on adherence to specific requirements, including costume attendance, loyalty program membership, and purchase of adult meals. Consumers were advised to verify offer details, including participation locations and expiration times, directly with the specific brands or local establishments.