Father's Day Restaurant Freebies and Deals: A 2025 Guide for U.S. Consumers

Father's Day presents a significant opportunity for restaurants to engage with customers and for families to celebrate without the burden of home cooking. Based on current and projected promotional strategies, a wide variety of dining establishments are expected to offer special deals, free items, and bonus incentives for the holiday. This guide compiles information on anticipated restaurant freebies and deals for Father's Day, focusing on verified offers and patterns from previous years to help consumers plan their celebrations.

Many restaurants structure their Father's Day promotions around gift card purchases, which provide immediate value and encourage repeat visits. Other popular offers include complimentary items with an entrée purchase, special menu items, and limited-time discounts. The following sections detail specific offers and trends observed across various restaurant chains.

Gift Card Promotions: A Popular Father's Day Strategy

One of the most common promotional tactics for Father's Day is the "bonus card" or gift card deal. These offers provide customers with an additional card or credit when they purchase a certain amount in gift cards, effectively offering a discount on a future meal.

Applebee’s: For Father's Day 2025, Applebee's is expected to offer a promotion where customers who spend $50 in gift cards will receive a $10 bonus card. This offer is typically valid through late June, providing flexibility for future visits.
IHOP: IHOP has historically offered a similar deal, such as a $5 bonus card for every $25 in gift cards purchased. These bonus cards often have a restricted usage period, for example, from late June through August, which extends the promotional value beyond the immediate holiday.
Outback Steakhouse: Outback has previously run promotions where customers buying $50 in gift cards receive a $10 E-bonus card, valid for use through mid-July. This strategy encourages both the initial purchase and a subsequent visit.
Ninety-Nine Restaurants: This chain has offered a promotion where spending $25 on a plastic gift card results in a $5 bonus card, usable on a future visit before a specified date in September.
North Italia: A similar offer from North Italia allows customers to buy a $50 gift card and receive a $10 bonus card for a limited time.
Mrs. Fields: While not a traditional restaurant, Mrs. Fields offers a 20% discount on Father's Day cookie cakes, tins, and gift baskets with a specific promo code, aligning with the gift-giving aspect of the holiday.

These gift card deals are a key component of the Father's Day dining experience, offering a dual benefit: an immediate gift for dad and a future savings opportunity for the purchaser.

Complimentary Items and Special Menus

Beyond gift cards, many restaurants entice customers with free food items or exclusive menu offerings designed specifically for Father's Day.

Fazoli’s: A standout offer from Fazoli's is a free regular Fettuccine Alfredo or Spaghetti with Meat Sauce or Marinara with any entrée purchase. This deal is typically available on Father's Day at participating locations.
Hurricane Grill & Wings: This establishment has a history of offering dads a free domestic draft pint with an entrée purchase of $14.99 or more. This offer is generally for dine-in customers only on Father's Day.
Newk’s Eatery: A straightforward and appealing deal from Newk's is that when a customer buys an entrée, dad gets a dessert completely free.
Twin Peaks: For a value-oriented meal, Twin Peaks has offered a $12 cheeseburger bundle, which includes a non-alcoholic drink, available all day on Father's Day.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: For a more upscale experience, Carrabba's has featured limited-time Father's Day offerings, such as Spicy Palermo Wings, Ribeye with Bourbon Browned Butter, and Lamb T-Bones with Bourbon Mint.
Fleming’s: Fleming’s typically offers a premium three-course steak and surf menu starting at $89 for Father's Day, requiring a reservation.
Morton’s The Steakhouse: Another high-end option, Morton's has offered a three-course Land & Sea menu for a set price (e.g., $79), featuring a choice of entrée, side, and dessert.
ATL Wings: This chain has run a "buy one, get one free" combo deal for loyalty members on Father's Day. Signing up for the loyalty program is usually simple and can be done at the time of purchase.
Someburros: Customers can enjoy the fan-favorite Borracho Burro for a discounted price (e.g., $9) on Father's Day by mentioning a code or indicating they are there for the Father's Day special.
The Thumb BBQ: This bistro has offered a free root beer float (a $6.50 value) with a food purchase to all dads on Father's Day.
Copper & Sage and Haymaker: These locations have offered a cold beer and handheld combo for a set price (e.g., $20) as a Father's Day special.

Predicted and Recurring Deals for 2025

Based on promotional patterns from previous years, several restaurant chains are likely to repeat their Father's Day offers in 2025. While these are not yet officially confirmed for the current year, they represent strong possibilities based on historical data.

7-Eleven: May offer a deep discount through its 7NOW Delivery service, such as $20 off a $30 purchase.
Arby’s: Rewards members have previously scored deals like 5 Classic Roast Beef Sandwiches for $5, and a similar offer is anticipated.
Auntie Anne’s: A BOGO deal on pretzels is a likely promotion, along with a possible reward for purchasing a certain amount in gift cards.
Baskin-Robbins: Discounts on Father's Day-themed ice cream cakes are a recurring feature.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: A free Pizookie dessert with the purchase of any entrée or appetizer is a popular repeat offer, sometimes paired with a collectible glass.
Carvel: May offer $0 delivery promotions through third-party delivery apps.
Cinnabon: Rewards members can likely expect an exclusive in-app deal.
Hurricane Grill & Wings: In addition to the beer offer, they may provide free domestic drafts with any entrée (dine-in only).
Insomnia Cookies: A potential offer is two free Classic cookies with any in-store purchase.
KFC: Potential deals could include discounted multi-piece chicken buckets or free bonus items like Saucy Nuggets with a purchase.
Jeremiah's Italian Ice: A past promotion included a Father's Day card with a coupon for a free Tadpole Treat on the next visit with any purchase.
Krispy Kreme: Often releases a limited-time Father's Day doughnut collection.
Krystal: May feature a discount on their Original or Cheese Sackfuls.
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill: Could offer all dads a free beer on the house, with no purchase necessary.
Long John Silver’s: Seacret Society members might get an in-app exclusive "Two Can Dine" offer.
Patxi’s Pizza: Has previously offered a deal where ordering a regularly priced pizza allows the purchase of a 10-inch, thin-crust specialty pizza for just $10.

Dine-In vs. Delivery and Other Considerations

It is critical for consumers to note the specific terms and conditions of each promotion. Many of the best deals, particularly those involving free alcoholic beverages or heavily discounted combo meals, are restricted to dine-in customers only. For example, the promotions from Hurricane Grill & Wings, Native Grill & Wings, and the dine-in deals from Grill & Pub are explicitly for on-premises consumption.

Conversely, some promotions are designed to drive delivery or takeout orders, often through third-party apps. Carvel's potential $0 delivery offers and the predicted deals from Insomnia Cookies are examples of this trend. Gift card promotions are generally flexible and can be purchased in-store or online.

Another important consideration is the concept of "father figures." As noted in promotional guides, many restaurants are expanding their marketing to include not just biological fathers but also grandpas, uncles, legal guardians, and mentors. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone has an opportunity to celebrate the important men in their lives.

Geographic and Participating Location Variations

A crucial detail for any consumer is that not all promotions are available at every location. Restaurant chains often have franchisees, and participation in national promotions can vary. For example, deals from chains like Fazoli's, Hurricane Grill & Wings, and Native Grill & Wings are frequently listed as "at participating locations." Consumers are strongly advised to check with their local restaurant to confirm that a specific deal is being offered before making plans.

This variability underscores the importance of checking official restaurant websites, social media pages, or calling the location directly. Information from third-party deal aggregators is useful for identifying potential offers, but official confirmation is the only way to guarantee availability.

Conclusion

Father's Day 2025 is shaping up to be a robust event for restaurant promotions, with a diverse range of offers to suit every taste and budget. The most reliable and widespread deals center on gift card purchases, which provide immediate and future value. For those seeking a special meal without the cost of a full entrée for dad, numerous chains are expected to offer free items like desserts, appetizers, or even full-sized pasta dishes with another purchase. High-end steakhouses will feature special prix-fixe menus, while casual dining spots will provide value bundles and discounted favorites. The key to maximizing these opportunities lies in planning ahead, verifying participation at local establishments, and understanding the specific conditions—such as dine-in requirements or loyalty membership—that may apply to each offer.