Promotional offers and freebies are a staple of the American consumer landscape, particularly around designated "national days" that provide brands with opportunities to engage customers. These events often feature limited-time discounts, free products with purchase, or complimentary items to drive traffic and reward loyalty. The provided source materials detail a variety of such promotions across different food and beverage categories, offering a snapshot of how brands structure these marketing initiatives.
National French Fry Day Promotions
National French Fry Day, observed in July, serves as a prime example of how quick-service restaurants utilize specific menu items to generate sales. According to a report dated July 11, 2025, numerous chains offered distinct promotions to celebrate the occasion. These offers generally fell into two categories: free fries with a purchase requirement or discounted pricing on fries.
Several brands required a purchase to redeem the free fry offer. For instance, Smashburger allowed customers to obtain free fries with any purchase of $1 or more using the code "FRYDAY25" on July 11. Sonic offered a free medium Tot or Fry with a purchase on the same day. Wahlburgers provided a free order of fries for in-store or online orders totaling $10 or more, requiring the mention of "Fry Day" or the code "FRYDAY25." Similarly, Wendy's offered any size Hot & Crispy Fries with a purchase through their app, a deal available not only on National Fry Day but every Friday for the remainder of the year. White Castle offered free cheese fries with any order using the code "CHEESY" from July 11 through July 13.
Other promotions focused on reduced pricing. Whataburger sold medium fries for 75 cents on July 11 for digital orders placed between 11 AM and 8 PM. Wayback Burgers offered a regular order of fries to Wayback Rewards members on July 11, available for in-restaurant or online orders.
National Cheeseburger Day and Related Offers
September 18 marks National Cheeseburger Day, and early announcements suggest a variety of participating brands. BurgerFi planned to offer $1 cheeseburgers with the purchase of a cheeseburger. Farmer Boys similarly offered $1 Big Cheese cheeseburgers at participating locations. Holiday Inn's Burger Theory locations intended to give away 10,000 classic cheeseburgers with no purchase necessary, while supplies lasted. Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries offered half-off all burger combos from 5 PM to close for customers who downloaded the My Hwy 55 app.
These cheeseburger deals follow a pattern seen in other food holidays. For example, Qdoba Mexican Grill offers free guacamole with orders of burritos, tacos, and quesadillas every day, a policy established in 2014, which serves as a constant value proposition rather than a time-limited event.
Labor Day and Early September Food Deals
Labor Day weekend in early September historically features a range of dining specials. LongHorn Steakhouse provided a free grilling advice hotline on September 3, connecting customers with certified Grill Masters. Outback Steakhouse offered a free Bloomin’ Onion with any dine-in purchase on "Bloomin Monday," requiring customers to mention the phrase to their server. Pei Wei offered two regular rice bowls for $10 with the promo code "2FOR10" for online and dine-in orders. Potbelly Sandwich Shop ran a "buy one, get one free" deal on Wreck sandwiches through September 2.
Potbelly also hosted a "Free Shake Friday" event from September 6 through September 9, providing a free shake with an entrée purchase at participating locations. Perk members had the perk automatically added to their accounts. Additionally, National Beer Lover’s Day on September 7 is noted as a time when bars and restaurants may offer specials, though specific details were not provided in the source material. Apps such as Ibotta were mentioned as tools for obtaining year-round cash back on beer purchases at grocery and liquor stores.
Historical Context and Brand Histories
Understanding the history of food brands provides context for their promotional strategies. Seyfert’s, a potato chip company, opened in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on August 20, 1934. The company gained national attention in 1987 when the "Potato Chip Lady," Myrtle Young, appeared on "The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson." Seyfert’s eventually announced its closure in 2018, exactly 84 years after it opened. While historical context does not directly relate to current freebies, it illustrates the longevity and evolution of brands that participate in modern promotional events.
Culinary Trends and Unique Food Items
The provided sources also highlight various culinary trends and unique food items that occasionally intersect with promotional activities. Vlasic announced the rollout of Pickle Chips, an alternative to potato chips, in April 2019. Carl's Jr. tested a cannabis-infused burger (CBD-infused) at a Denver location on April 20, 2019. Heinz explored the concept of "mayochup," a combination of mayonnaise and ketchup, in April 2018.
Other unusual food items mentioned include macaroni-and-cheese-flavored candy canes, sold for $5.95 by Archie McPhee, and a tarantula burger served by a North Carolina brewery during Exotic Meat Month. While these items are not typically associated with free samples, they represent the broader landscape of food marketing and consumer interest in novelty products.
Dessert and Breakfast Offers
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, observed on August 4, is associated with recipes and culinary inspiration rather than specific brand freebies in the provided data. However, it serves as another example of a designated day that encourages consumption of specific food items. The source material focuses on vegan recipes for chocolate chip cookies, cookie dough cheesecake, and cookie dough nice cream, indicating a trend toward plant-based and alternative dietary options.
National Coffee Day, occurring in late September, is noted as a time when coffee shops, stores, and restaurants offer freebies and deals. Specific offers were not detailed in the provided chunks, but the existence of the holiday suggests a recurring opportunity for promotional activity.
Smartphone Apps and Cash Back
The mention of smartphone apps such as Ibotta indicates a digital component to modern consumer savings. Ibotta offers cash back on alcohol, including beer, at various retail locations and restaurants in most states. This reflects a shift toward app-based loyalty programs and savings mechanisms that complement traditional freebies and discounts.
Conclusion
The provided source materials illustrate a diverse array of promotional offers available to U.S. consumers. From National French Fry Day discounts at major chains to Labor Day specials and historical brand narratives, these events serve as key touchpoints between brands and customers. While specific offers are time-sensitive and subject to participation rules, the underlying strategy remains consistent: incentivizing purchases through value-added incentives like free items or reduced pricing. Consumers seeking these opportunities should monitor official brand communications and app-based offers to maximize savings.