National Chicken Tender Day Freebies and Deals 2025: How Consumers Can Access Offers

National Chicken Tender Day, observed annually on July 27, has become a significant promotional event for fast-casual and quick-service restaurant chains across the United States. In 2025, the holiday generated a variety of freebies and deals, primarily focused on chicken tenders and fingers. The event was largely popularized by Raising Cane’s, which claims to have started the holiday 16 years ago and officially trademarked "National Chicken Tender Day" in 2019. However, the 2025 celebrations saw participation from several other brands, including Huey Magoo’s, PDQ, and Popeyes, alongside competitive maneuvering from Wingstop.

This article details the specific offers available during the 2025 National Chicken Tender Day window, the eligibility requirements for consumers, the redemption methods, and the distinct branding strategies employed by the participating chains.

Raising Cane’s National Chicken Finger Day Offer

Raising Cane’s remains the primary driver of the July 27 holiday, which it refers to as National Chicken Finger Day. For the 2025 event, the chain offered a straightforward promotion designed to drive traffic and increase transaction size.

The Deal The core offer for 2025 was a "buy one, get one" style promotion. Customers who purchased a Box Combo meal received a free order of chicken fingers. The Box Combo consists of four chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, buttery toast, and Cane’s signature sauce. According to the brand, there was no limit on the number of free orders a customer could receive; every Box Combo purchased resulted in an additional free order of chicken fingers.

Eligibility and Redemption * No Coupon Required: The offer was automatically applied to eligible purchases. * Channels: The deal was valid for in-store orders, drive-thru, mobile app orders, and online orders. * Rewards Members: Select rewards members were also eligible to receive a limited-edition collectible necklace featuring a golden chicken finger charm.

Context Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves created the holiday in 2010. In 2025, the brand utilized a high-profile marketing campaign featuring rapper Snoop Dogg. Snoop Dogg appeared in a "Christmas-in-July" themed advertisement, where he drove a Cadillac sleigh and used the catchphrase "yo yo yo" instead of "ho ho ho." The brand stated that on previous National Chicken Finger Days, they have given away more than 150,000 chicken fingers.

Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tender Day Promotion

Huey Magoo’s, a fast-casual chain with over 75 locations, participated in the holiday on the same date, July 27. The brand distinguishes its product by referring to it as tenderloins rather than fingers.

The Deal Huey Magoo’s offered five free "Tender Bites" with the purchase of any 3-piece or larger Tender Meal. The promotion was valid only on Sunday, July 27, and was subject to supply availability.

Branding and Product Philosophy Huey Magoo’s CEO and President Andy Howard emphasized that the brand serves "chicken tenders, never fingers," clarifying that chickens do not have fingers. The brand markets its product as the "Filet Mignon of Chicken," utilizing the premium tenderloin cut. The promotion specifically included "Tender Bites," which are bite-sized pieces of their hand-breaded or grilled tenderloins.

PDQ Honey Butter Tenders

PDQ utilized the July 27 holiday to launch a new menu item rather than a traditional freebie.

The Offer PDQ introduced "Honey Butter Tenders" to their menu just in time for National Chicken Finger Day. These are crispy, hand-breaded buttermilk tenders glazed in sweet honey butter.

Availability While not a free sample in the traditional sense, the launch was timed to coincide with the holiday traffic. The item was marketed as a limited-time offer (LTO), meaning it would not be on the menu indefinitely.

Popeyes National Chicken Wing Day and Overlapping Deals

While Popeyes is a major player in the chicken space, their July 2025 promotions were primarily focused on National Chicken Wing Day (July 29), which falls shortly after National Chicken Finger Day. However, their offers overlapped the timeframe.

The Deal Popeyes offered a Buy One Get One (BOGO) deal on six-piece bone-in wings. This deal was valid through August 3. * In-Store: Guests received a free six-piece bone-in wings with the purchase of any bone-in wings order. * Delivery: Orders placed through Uber Eats or DoorDash received a BOGO deal on six-piece wings (bone-in or boneless).

Differentiation Popeyes did not specifically promote chicken fingers/tenders for the July 27 holiday but focused on their bone-in wing inventory for the July 29 holiday, extending the offer through early August.

Wingstop’s Competitive Stance

Wingstop, a direct competitor in the chicken tender market, took a unique approach to the July 27 holiday in 2025.

No Deals, But Trademark Action Wingstop did not offer any specific deals or discounts on National Chicken Finger Day. Instead, on July 24, 2025, the brand filed a trademark application for the phrase "National Chicken Tender Day."

The "Finger vs. Tender" Dispute Wingstop’s Chief Revenue Officer, Mark Christenson, stated that while some consider chicken fingers, strips, and tenders to be the same, Wingstop "isn’t buying it." By filing the trademark, Wingstop aimed to stake a claim on "distinctive crispy tenders." This move was viewed as a direct jab at Raising Cane’s, which holds a trademark on "National Chicken Tender Day." Wingstop noted that "National Chicken Tender Day" is on July 27, the same date as Raising Cane’s event.

Other Related Chicken Promotions (July 29 and November)

While the primary focus of the provided data is the July 27 holiday, several sources included data regarding National Chicken Wing Day (July 29) and National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day (November 9), which offer additional context for consumers seeking chicken freebies.

National Chicken Wing Day (July 29)

7-Eleven: Members of 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards received BOGO deals on July 29. These included buy eight boneless wings get eight free, or buy five bone-in wings get five free. Participating locations included 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores. There was also a promotion to get five bone-in wings for free when buying two Red Bull drinks.
Applebee’s: Applebee’s offered a BOGO Mix & Match of 10-piece boneless wings and nine-piece bone-in wings. To redeem, customers had to use the promo code "WINGDAY25" in the app or online.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Customers making a purchase of $10 or more received six free wings of their choice.

National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day (November 9)

Buffalo Wild Wings: Offered one free classic or spicy chicken sandwich with any $10 minimum purchase.
Burger King: Customers could claim a free Royal Chicken Sandwich with a minimum purchase of $3. This required enrollment in Royal Perks.
Wingstop: Offered a free chicken sandwich with any $10 purchase.

Consumer Redemption Guide

For consumers looking to take advantage of these types of promotional offers, the following eligibility rules and redemption methods are standard across the industry, based on the 2025 data.

Redemption Methods 1. In-Store/Drive-Thru: Most offers, such as the Raising Cane’s Box Combo addition, are automatically applied by the point-of-sale system or staff when the qualifying item is ordered. 2. Mobile Apps: Many chains require orders to be placed through their proprietary mobile app to access digital-exclusive deals (e.g., Applebee’s promo code). 3. Third-Party Delivery: Partnerships with Uber Eats or DoorDash often provide distinct offers from in-store deals, such as the Popeyes BOGO wings. 4. Loyalty Programs: Membership in rewards programs (e.g., 7Rewards, Royal Perks) is frequently a prerequisite for receiving free items or BOGO deals.

Eligibility Requirements * Purchase Requirement: Most "free" items require the purchase of a specific qualifying item (e.g., Raising Cane’s Box Combo, Huey Magoo’s 3-piece meal). * No Coupon/Code: Some offers are automatic (Raising Cane’s), while others require specific promo codes or app activation (Applebee’s, Burger King). * Geographic Restrictions: While the sources indicate "nationwide" availability for major chains, specific participation may vary by franchise location. * While Supplies Last: Promotions are often limited by inventory, as noted by Huey Magoo’s ("while supplies last").

Conclusion

National Chicken Tender Day on July 27, 2025, served as a major promotional vehicle for Raising Cane’s, which utilized the holiday to reinforce its brand identity and drive sales through a BOGO offer on its signature Box Combo. Competitors like Huey Magoo’s and PDQ engaged with the holiday through product-focused promotions and limited-time menu additions. The event also highlighted competitive tensions in the industry, evidenced by Wingstop’s trademark filing for "National Chicken Tender Day" and its refusal to participate in the July 27 deals. Consumers seeking free chicken products in the future should monitor the days immediately surrounding July 27 for overlapping National Chicken Wing Day deals and monitor November for National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day offers.