National Croissant Day 2018 Free Food Offers and Restaurant Loyalty Rewards

National Croissant Day, observed annually on January 30, provides a specific opportunity for consumers to access promotional offers from food and beverage brands. Based on the provided source material, specific freebies and deals were available in 2018, alongside broader information regarding restaurant loyalty programs that offer free food rewards. This article details the offers available for National Croissant Day 2018 and outlines general strategies for obtaining free food through rewards programs.

National Croissant Day 2018 Offers

The primary source of information regarding National Croissant Day 2018 comes from a historical context document regarding food holidays. While the specific date mentioned in the source is January 30, the provided text does not explicitly include the year 2018 in conjunction with active freebies. However, the text describes the nature of the holiday and the product itself.

The Croissant

The term "croissant" translates to "crescent" in French and is pronounced "kwah-SAWN." It is a rich, buttery, crescent-shaped roll made of puff pastry. The production involves a technique known as laminating, which layers yeast dough with butter. Traditionally, croissants are served as a breakfast bread with jam and butter.

Variations and History

Two classic variations of the croissant include the almond croissant, which is filled with almond paste (frangipane) and topped with sliced almonds, and the chocolate croissant, known correctly as pain au chocolat, which contains a piece of dark chocolate. In the early 1970s, the croissant evolved from a breakfast bread to a sandwich substitute, introducing savory variations such as broccoli, ham, and cheese.

The source also addresses a common myth regarding the croissant's origin. Contrary to popular belief, the croissant was not created in the shape of the Turkish flag's crescent to commemorate the defeat of the Turks at the Siege of Vienna in 1683. Recipe books do not include croissant recipes until the early 1900s.

Free Food Offers and Restaurant Loyalty Programs

Beyond specific holiday deals, the provided source material details various restaurant loyalty programs that offer free food. These programs generally fall into two categories: those requiring a purchase and those offering rewards with no purchase necessary.

Programs Requiring a Purchase

Several restaurant chains offer rewards that require a minimum purchase to redeem. Upon signing up for an eClub, users may receive an email containing a coupon or have the offer loaded into a mobile app. The specific terms and rewards frequently change, so consumers are advised to read the fine print or contact local stores for verification.

LongHorn Steakhouse: Members of the eClub receive a free appetizer with the purchase of one adult entrée. Special coupons and birthday offers are also awarded.
Del Taco: Members of the Del Yeah! Rewards program receive two free tacos with any purchase upon signing up. A free premium shake is also available on the member's birthday.
Panera Bread: Members of MyPanera receive a free pastry item after making a purchase. Additional freebies are awarded to members over time.
Village Inn: Members of the rewards program receive $10 off any purchase of $11 or more. The program also offers "free money" accumulation and exclusive offers.
Fazoli's: Members of Fazoli's Rewards earn one point for every dollar spent. Points can be redeemed for items such as drinks, cookies, breadsticks, and pizza, starting at 25 points.
Taco Cabana: Loyalty members receive a free $5 reward, discounted food, 50 MY TC! reward points, and a birthday surprise.
Cold Stone Creamery: Members of Cold Stone Club Rewards receive a coupon for a buy one, get one free creation.
FATZ: Members of the loyalty club receive $5 off their purchase, plus anniversary and birthday treats.
Shake Shack: While not explicitly linked to National Croissant Day, the source mentions a Shake Shack offer for National Fried Chicken Day (July 6). Customers could get a free Chicken Shack sandwich with a $10 purchase using a promo code via the app or kiosk. The terms excluded drive-thru and third-party delivery apps.

Programs with No Purchase Required

Some loyalty programs offer free food rewards simply for joining, without requiring a subsequent purchase.

Dunkin' Donuts: Members of Dunkin' Rewards receive a free coffee upon enrollment, on their birthday, and for every 500 points spent.
Chili's: Members of My Chili’s Rewards receive a reward such as free chips and salsa or a free drink upon joining.
IHOP: Members of IHOP Rewards receive free birthday pancakes. The program also hosts IHOP Free Pancake Day. Members earn one PanCoin for every $5 spent.
T.G.I. Friday's: Members of Fridays Rewards receive free chips and salsa just for joining, plus a free dessert on their birthday.
Dairy Queen: Members of the Blizzard Fan Club receive a buy one, get one free Blizzard treat coupon.
Pretzel Maker: The source indicates that Pretzel Maker gives away a free pretzel for National Pretzel Day and on birthdays.

National French Fry Day 2018 Offers

Although the search query focused on National Croissant Day, the provided source material includes specific details regarding National French Fry Day 2018 (July 13). This information is relevant to the broader category of food freebies.

Dunkin' Donuts (Dunkin')

On July 13, 2018, Dunkin' Donuts offered free "Donut Fries" to the first 100 guests at five participating locations in the Southland (California). The giveaway occurred between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Donut Fries were described as croissant-style donut dough tossed in cinnamon sugar, served warm with a crisp texture. For those not near the giveaway locations, the item was available for $2 at all Dunkin' locations.

Participating locations included: * 1132 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica * 6201 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles * 26441 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita * 15415 Jeffrey Road, Irvine * 1428 S (specific city/street not fully detailed in the source)

Consumer Strategy for Accessing Freebies

The source material highlights several methods for consumers to access free food and products:

Email Sign-ups: Most restaurant rewards are distributed via email coupons after joining an eClub.
Mobile Apps: Offers are frequently loaded directly into restaurant apps, requiring users to show the offer at checkout.
Birthday Rewards: A significant number of programs offer specific freebies on the member's birthday.
Holiday Promotions: Brands often align freebies with specific food holidays (e.g., National French Fry Day, National Pretzel Day, National Croissant Day).
Points Accumulation: Some programs, like Fazoli's and Dunkin', allow users to accumulate points through purchases to redeem free items.

Conclusion

The provided source material indicates that National Croissant Day 2018 was associated with historical context regarding the pastry rather than specific widespread freebies in the provided text. However, the text confirms that various restaurant loyalty programs exist that provide free food through sign-up bonuses, birthday rewards, and purchase-based redemptions. Consumers interested in free food should prioritize joining eClubs and mobile app programs for brands they frequent, as well as monitoring specific food holidays for limited-time offers.