National Cookie Day 2017: Comprehensive Guide to Free Cookies and Promotional Deals

National Cookie Day, observed annually on December 4, serves as a significant promotional event for major bakery and food service brands. In 2017, numerous national chains participated by offering free cookies, discounted packages, and limited-time product launches. These promotions provided U.S. consumers with opportunities to obtain high-value bakery items at no cost or reduced prices. The event is historically linked to the Blue Chip Cookie Company of Milford, Ohio, which established the December 4 date, shifting the observance from an earlier November date associated with Sesame Street. The following guide details the specific freebies and deals available during the 2017 observance, focusing on eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and participating brands.

Great American Cookies

Great American Cookies participated in the 2017 National Cookie Day festivities with a straightforward, no-purchase-necessary offer. Participating locations distributed one free original chocolate chip cookie to customers.

Offer Details: The promotion provided one free regular-sized chocolate chip cookie per person.
Eligibility: No purchase was required to redeem the offer. The promotion was strictly limited to one cookie per customer to ensure availability for a wider audience.
Availability: The offer was valid only on December 4, 2017, at participating Great American Cookies stores.
Verification: The brand utilized its official Twitter handle, @Gr8AmCookies, to promote the event and encourage consumers to locate nearby stores.

Mrs. Fields

Mrs. Fields utilized National Cookie Day 2017 to celebrate both the holiday and the company’s 40th anniversary. The brand executed a dual-strategy promotion involving in-store giveaways and online discounts.

In-Store Promotion: Every Mrs. Fields location nationwide participated in a giveaway of 400 free cookies per store. The offer was restricted to the first 400 customers at each location. The cookies provided were described as freshly-baked, gooey chocolate chip cookies.
Online Promotion: To accommodate customers unable to visit physical stores, Mrs. Fields offered an online promotion providing up to 40 percent off holiday and signature cookie packages. This sale was subject to supply availability. An example of a discounted item was the 60 Nibbler Signature Tin, which was reduced from $39.99 to $23.99.
Eligibility: The in-store giveaway was available on a first-come, first-served basis. The online discount required purchase through the Mrs. Fields website.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market integrated National Cookie Day into a broader, multi-day sales event focused on their in-store bakery sections.

Offer Details: The retailer offered a 50 percent discount on all items located in the store's cookie bar.
Duration: Unlike single-day offers from other brands, the Whole Foods promotion ran from December 1 through December 4, 2017.
Product Variety: The cookie bar at Whole Foods featured seasonal treats unique to specific store locations. Offerings included items such as buttery rugelach and chocolate sandwiches.
Additional Promotions: In conjunction with the discount, Whole Foods offered limited-edition cookie tins, allowing shoppers to fill tins for holiday parties or gift exchanges.

Nestle Toll House Cafe

The Nestle Toll House Cafe chain offered a specific freebie targeted at chocolate chip cookie enthusiasts.

Offer Details: Participating locations provided a free chocolate chip cookie to customers.
Eligibility: The offer was limited to one cookie per person. No purchase was necessary to receive the free cookie.
Availability: The promotion was valid only at participating locations on National Cookie Day.

Cinnabon

Cinnabon marked National Cookie Day 2017 with a product launch rather than a traditional free cookie giveaway.

Product Launch: The brand introduced a new item called the "Cookie BonBite." This product consisted of a bite-sized Cinnabon cinnamon roll baked inside a chocolate chip cookie.
Purchase Incentive: Customers who purchased the Cookie BonBite on December 4 received a free 8-ounce fairlife Ultra-Filtered Milk.
Availability: The Cookie BonBite was available for purchase beginning on National Cookie Day and was offered for a limited time thereafter.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies, a chain known for late-night delivery, offered a purchase-dependent freebie.

Offer Details: Customers who made any purchase at an Insomnia Cookies store location received one free traditional cookie.
Eligibility: The free cookie was contingent upon a purchase. The offer was valid in-store only.
Cookie Selection: The free cookie options included nine traditional varieties: Chocolate Chunk, Double Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter, Classic with M&M’s, Snickerdoodle, Sugar, Oatmeal Raisin, Double Chocolate Mint, and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut.

Summary of 2017 National Cookie Day Offers

The 2017 National Cookie Day landscape was dominated by two distinct types of offers: "no purchase necessary" giveaways and "purchase required" incentives. Great American Cookies, Mrs. Fields (in-store), and Nestle Toll House Cafe provided the most accessible options for consumers seeking free items without spending money. Mrs. Fields stood out for the volume of free products offered, with 400 cookies per location, though this required early arrival. Whole Foods provided the most extended promotional window, allowing consumers to take advantage of discounts for four days. Cinnabon and Insomnia Cookies required a purchase to receive benefits, though Cinnabon's offer included a high-value new product launch. Consumers were advised to verify participation at specific locations for in-store offers, as franchise participation can vary.

Conclusion

National Cookie Day 2017 offered a diverse array of opportunities for U.S. consumers to enjoy free or discounted bakery items. The participating brands—Great American Cookies, Mrs. Fields, Whole Foods Market, Nestle Toll House Cafe, Cinnabon, and Insomnia Cookies—tailored their promotions to fit their specific business models, ranging from mass giveaways to product launches and multi-day sales. The event highlighted the utility of food holidays as marketing vehicles for brands and provided tangible value to deal seekers and cookie enthusiasts. To maximize benefits, consumers needed to pay close attention to specific eligibility requirements, such as first-come-first-served limits and purchase necessities, and verify the validity of offers at their local participating outlets.