Kids Eat Free: A Guide to Restaurant Promotions and Meal Deals for Families

Dining out with children can be a costly endeavor for families across the United States. To help mitigate these expenses, many national and regional restaurant chains offer promotional programs commonly known as "Kids Eat Free" or discounted kids' meal deals. These offers typically require the purchase of a regular adult entrée and are often available on specific days of the week or during designated hours. Based on data compiled from various consumer deal websites, this article outlines current restaurant promotions, eligibility requirements, and important verification steps for parents and caregivers seeking to save money on family meals.

National Chain Promotions

Several large restaurant chains offer nationwide programs that allow children to eat for free or at a reduced cost. These deals generally require the purchase of an adult entrée and may be subject to specific time restrictions.

Bob Evans

At Bob Evans restaurants, children can eat for free on Tuesdays. The offer is exclusively available through the Bob Evans app and appears in the app only on Tuesdays. To redeem the offer, an order of an adult entrée must be placed via the app.

Chili's

Chili's offers free kids' meals to members of the "My Chili's Rewards" loyalty program. Members can receive emails and texts containing offers for free meals for children 12 years old and younger. This offer requires the purchase of a regular adult entrée. The kids' menu, known as the Pepper Pals menu, includes items such as pizza, pasta, and burgers.

Golden Corral

Golden Corral offers a daily promotion where children ages 3 and under eat free from the buffet. This offer is valid all day, every day, provided it is accompanied by the purchase of an adult meal.

IHOP

IHOP offers a kids-eat-free promotion that varies by location. Generally, kids 12 and under can eat free every day from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. when dining in and accompanied by the purchase of an adult entrée. Additionally, kids' meals are available for $2.99 when dining in.

Chick-fil-A

According to one source, Chick-fil-A offers a kids-eat-free deal on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the purchase of an adult meal. However, another source notes that some locations may charge a nominal fee of $0.99 instead of offering the meal completely free.

Cinnabon

Cinnabon offers a free treat for children 12 and under on Sundays. With the purchase of any baked good, customers receive a free 5-count of CinnaSweets if the child is present at the time of purchase. This is a single-use offer per transaction.

Atlanta Bread Company

Atlanta Bread Company offers a weekly kids-eat-free promotion with the purchase of an adult entrée. Because the specific day and time vary by location, customers are advised to contact their local restaurant to confirm details.

Cowboy Chicken

Cowboy Chicken offers a kids-eat-free deal for children 10 and under. This promotion is valid every Monday after 4:00 p.m. with the purchase of any adult entrée.

Regional and Local Promotions

In addition to national chains, many local and regional restaurants offer similar promotions. Availability often varies significantly by franchise and location.

OKC Metro Area (Oklahoma City)

The OKC metro area features several restaurants with daily kids-eat-free discounts. * Daily: My Chili’s Rewards members can receive free kids' meal offers. * Daily: Golden Corral allows children 3 and under to eat free from the buffet with an adult meal purchase. * Daily: IHOP offers free kids' meals from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with an adult entrée purchase (dine-in only).

Greenville, SC

Local deal listings for Greenville, SC, indicate that various restaurants offer kids-eat-free deals throughout the week. However, specific participating restaurants and details are not listed in the source data; consumers are encouraged to check local listings or inquire directly with restaurants.

Lake Charles, LA

Specific restaurants in Lake Charles, Louisiana, offer discounts on specific days: * Mr. Gatti’s Pizza (Monday): Offers Magic Mondays with half-price kids' meals ($2.99 after 5:00 p.m.) and a magician performance. They also host a kids-eat-free and karaoke event on Mondays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., requiring one adult entrée for one free kids' meal. The location features a fenced-in outdoor area with games. * Rotolo’s Pizzeria (Monday): Offers kids' meals for 99 cents with the purchase of an adult entrée. * Que Pasa Taqueria (Monday/Tuesday): Offers 50% off kids' meals on Mondays and $4.99 kids' meals on Mondays and Tuesdays. This location features an outdoor fenced-in patio.

Important Considerations and Verification

While these promotions can provide significant savings, there are several critical factors that consumers must consider before visiting a restaurant.

Location and Franchise Variability

Most restaurant chains operate on a franchise model. As a result, promotions such as "Kids Eat Free" are often optional for franchise owners. Consequently, a promotion advertised nationally or in one region may not be honored at a specific local franchise. For example, while a chain may advertise a kids-eat-free night, individual locations in Lake Charles, LA, or other areas may not participate.

Verification is Essential

Sources consistently emphasize the importance of verifying details before making a special trip. Because restaurants may change their policies, hours, or participation status without notice, consumers should: 1. Call the specific location to confirm the offer is currently valid. 2. Verify the hours of the promotion (e.g., 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). 3. Confirm age restrictions (e.g., 10 and under, 12 and under, 3 and under). 4. Check for requirements such as app downloads (Bob Evans), loyalty program membership (Chili’s), or specific purchase minimums.

Unadvertised Specials

Some sources suggest that restaurants may offer unadvertised specials for kids. Consumers are encouraged to ask their server about available kids' meal deals even if they are not explicitly listed on a menu or website.

Conclusion

"Kids Eat Free" promotions are a valuable resource for families looking to dine out without exceeding their budget. These offers are available at a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from national chains like Bob Evans and Chili's to local eateries in specific regions like OKC and Greenville. However, the availability and terms of these deals are highly variable and subject to change. To ensure a successful and cost-effective dining experience, parents and caregivers should always verify the specific details—including days, times, age restrictions, and purchase requirements—directly with the restaurant location before visiting.