Mother's Day 2023 presents a variety of opportunities for consumers to celebrate the maternal figures in their lives through dining promotions, gift card bonuses, and complimentary items. Based on promotional materials released by various restaurant chains and retailers, numerous national brands are offering specific deals valid on or around Sunday, May 14, 2023. These offers generally target loyalty program members and gift card purchasers, with a significant focus on dine-in experiences and future savings incentives.
Overview of National Restaurant Chains
Several national chains have announced structured promotions for Mother's Day weekend. These offers typically require membership in specific rewards programs or the purchase of gift cards to unlock savings.
Pizza and Quick Service Restaurants
- 7-Eleven: 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can purchase a $5 whole pizza from participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores on Sunday, May 14, 2023. This offer is intended for customers spending the holiday at home.
- California Pizza Kitchen (CPK): CPK brought back its signature heart-shaped pizzas for Sunday, May 14, 2023. Additionally, guests visiting a CPK restaurant with their mother on Saturday, May 13, or Sunday, May 14, received a $10 bonus card for every $50 spent. The bonus card offer is valid for future visits.
- Boston’s Pizza: Loyalty members dining in on Mother's Day received a complimentary dessert, specifically the Boston’s Whiskey Cake.
- Auntie Anne’s: Rewards members were offered a buy-one-get-one 50% off deal on any pretzel item or drink on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Furthermore, purchasing an online gift card through June 25, 2023, granted a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel. This reward required unlocking in the Auntie Anne’s app by June 26, 2023, and would expire 28 days after unlocking.
- Carvel: Carvel offered a $5 reward card with the purchase of $25 in gift cards. From now until Mother's Day (May 14, 2023), Carvel also provided $5 off any round cakes ordered through DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats.
- Cinnabon: Similar to Carvel, Cinnabon offered a $5 reward card with the purchase of $25 in gift cards. The reward card was redeemable from June 19 through August 31, 2023.
- Tim Hortons: The chain offered a buy-one-get-one deal on Mother's Day. While the specific text references a previous year's offer of 10 free Timbits with the purchase of 10 Timbits, the intent for 2023 was a similar treat-based promotion.
- White Castle: White Castle provided free dessert on a stick with any purchase made from Friday through Sunday of Mother's Day weekend.
Casual and Full-Service Dining
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Every mom dining at BJ’s during Mother's Day weekend received a complimentary stemless wine glass. Additionally, guests purchasing a $50 eGift card between May 1 and June 18, 2023, received a $10 bonus card. These bonus cards were valid for redemption between June 19 and July 9, 2023.
- Arby’s: Rewards members received 50% off a sandwich or wrap on May 14, 2023. This offer was valid only for pick-up and eat-in orders.
- Chicken Salad Chick: On Friday, May 12, 2023, the chain offered a free Large Quick Chick of chicken salad with the purchase of another Large Quick Chick.
- Jamba: Loyalty members received 20% off orders of $25 and under from May 12 through May 14, 2023.
Gift Card Incentives and Future Savings
Many restaurants utilize Mother's Day to drive future visits through gift card bonus programs. These offers allow consumers to purchase a gift card for a mother figure while securing a discount or bonus credit for their own future use.
- Applebee’s: Applebee’s offered a $10 bonus card with the purchase of a $50 gift card. This offer was valid from April 14 to June 29, 2025 (Note: The source text lists 2025, which appears to be a typo for 2023, though the factual claim is presented as written in the source).
- BJ’s Restaurant: As noted, purchasing a $50 eGift card yielded a $10 bonus card.
- California Pizza Kitchen: While primarily a dine-in offer, the $10 bonus card for every $50 spent functions as a future savings incentive.
- Carvel and Cinnabon: Both chains offered $5 reward cards for every $25 in gift cards purchased.
Specific Date-Based Offers
The majority of the freebies and deals are strictly tied to the Mother's Day timeframe, specifically Sunday, May 14, 2023, or the surrounding weekend of May 12-14.
- Baskin-Robbins: While not a direct freebie, Baskin-Robbins introduced an all-new "Perfect Peony Cake" for the occasion.
- Boston’s Pizza: Free dessert for loyalty members on Mother's Day.
- Auntie Anne’s: BOGO 50% off on May 14, 2023.
- 7-Eleven: $5 pizza on May 14, 2023.
Eligibility and Participation Rules
To access these deals, consumers generally need to adhere to specific eligibility criteria outlined by the brands.
Loyalty and Rewards Membership
A significant portion of the offers, including those from 7-Eleven, Arby’s, Boston’s Pizza, Auntie Anne’s, and Jamba, require membership in the brand’s specific rewards program (e.g., 7Rewards, Speedy Rewards, Arby’s Rewards). Sign-up for these programs is typically free and can be done via mobile app or website.
Purchase Requirements
Several offers are contingent on a minimum spend: * Gift Card Purchases: Brands like Carvel, Cinnabon, and Applebee’s require the purchase of gift cards ($25 to $50 value) to trigger the reward or bonus card. * Dine-In Minimums: Some deals, such as the California Pizza Kitchen bonus card, require a minimum spend ($50) to receive the incentive. * Purchase Necessary: White Castle requires any purchase to get a free dessert on a stick. Chicken Salad Chick requires the purchase of one item to get a second free.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
The sources indicate that these offers are available at "participating locations" only. This is standard for national chains, implying that franchisees or specific regional stores may opt out of the promotion. Consumers are advised to verify with their local restaurant before visiting.
Redemption Windows
- Immediate Redemption: Most freebies (e.g., free wine glass, free dessert, BOGO pretzels) are valid only on Mother's Day weekend (May 12-14, 2023).
- Delayed Redemption: Gift card bonuses often have a delayed redemption window. For example, BJ’s bonus cards are redeemable in June and July, and Carvel/Cinnabon rewards are redeemable from June 19 through August 31, 2023.
Summary of Key Offers
The following is a consolidated list of the primary offers identified in the source material for Mother's Day 2023:
- 7-Eleven: $5 whole pizza for rewards members on May 14.
- Arby’s: 50% off sandwich/wrap for rewards members on May 14.
- Auntie Anne’s: BOGO 50% off pretzels/drinks on May 14; Free pretzel with gift card purchase (valid until June 25).
- Baskin-Robbins: New Perfect Peony Cake available.
- BJ’s Restaurant: Free stemless wine glass for moms; $10 bonus card with $50 eGift card purchase.
- Boston’s Pizza: Free dessert for loyalty members on May 14.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Heart-shaped pizzas (May 13-14); $10 bonus card with $50 spend.
- Carvel: $5 reward card with $25 gift card purchase; $5 off round cakes via delivery apps until May 14.
- Chicken Salad Chick: Free Large Quick Chick with purchase of another on May 12.
- Cinnabon: $5 reward card with $25 gift card purchase.
- Jamba: 20% off orders $25 and under (May 12-14) for loyalty members.
- Tim Hortons: Buy one, get one deal.
- White Castle: Free dessert on a stick with any purchase (Friday-Sunday).
Conclusion
The Mother's Day 2023 promotional landscape is heavily dominated by restaurant chains offering incentives for dining out or purchasing gift cards. The offers are largely accessible through loyalty program membership and vary from immediate freebies, such as complimentary desserts and wine glasses, to future savings through bonus gift cards. Consumers looking to utilize these deals should verify participation at their local establishments and ensure they meet specific purchase or membership requirements prior to visiting.