Summer officially begins around mid-June, and numerous brands release promotional offers and free samples to celebrate the season. Based on available data for the timeframe surrounding June 22, consumers can access various freebies ranging from restaurant meals and ice cream to beauty products and household goods. These offers often require specific actions such as downloading mobile apps, signing up for rewards programs, or visiting physical locations during limited hours.
Food and Beverage Freebies
Several food chains offer free meals and treats on and around June 22. These promotions are often tied to specific dates, times, or the purchase of another item.
Chain Restaurant Offers
- Panda Express: On June 22, Panda Express offered a free serving of orange chicken after 9:00 p.m. to celebrate the start of their late summer hours. This offer was location-dependent and time-specific.
- P.F. Chang’s: Consumers could receive a free order of lettuce wraps by downloading the P.F. Chang’s app for iPhone or Android devices.
- Chipotle: During the NHL Finals (specifically June 17 and 20), Chipotle offered free entrées to the first 5,000 people who texted a specific code to 888-222 when a designated commercial aired. The free entrée was loaded into the user's Chipotle Rewards account.
- Subway: Subway offered a Buy One Get One (BOGO) deal where customers could purchase one footlong sandwich at regular price and get a second for $1 using the code BOGO1 in the app or online.
- White Castle: White Castle provided a BOGO deal on milkshakes for Craver Nation Rewards members. Customers could use the code SUMMER after 8:00 p.m. between June 20 and 22 to redeem a free small shake with the purchase of another.
- Potbelly: Potbelly also offered a BOGO deal on June 20.
- Cava: Cava offered rewards members a free order of pita chips (classic or Hot Harissa flavors) with no purchase necessary to celebrate the first day of summer.
Ice Cream and Dessert Promotions
- Kroger: Kroger released digital coupons for a free pint of their "Summer-in-a-Pint" ice cream on June 20. The promotion was limited to 92,000 pints. However, shoppers in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Nevada were excluded from this specific promotion.
- Krispy Kreme: On June 20, Krispy Kreme offered a deal where customers could buy any full-priced dozen doughnuts and get a dozen Original Glazed for $2. This was available in-store, at the drive-thru, and online for pickup and delivery using the promo code SUMMER.
- Baskin-Robbins: Rewards members could get $1.99 scoops at participating locations from June 20 through June 27. This "Parent Pass" deal was valid for a limited time.
- Ben & Jerry’s: Ben & Jerry’s hosted a "Creamy, Dreamy Non-Dairy Summer Tour" on June 21 and 22 in Manhattan. This event featured an immersive dessert experience, free samples, and non-dairy swag.
- Edible Arrangements: According to a report by The Freebie Guy, certain Edible Arrangements locations offered free smoothies between June 16 and 21 to celebrate National Smoothie Day. Not all locations serve smoothies, so verification via the company website was recommended.
- Milkshake Factory: This chain offered a BOGO deal on vanilla milkshakes on June 20 to celebrate National Vanilla Milkshake Day.
Retail and Beauty Samples
Beyond food, there are opportunities for free samples in the beauty and general retail sectors, though these are often time-sensitive or require app downloads.
- Schick Hydro Five Razor: Walmart offered a free trial of the new Schick Hydro Five razor. Consumers were required to sign up for the offer, which was available only while supplies lasted.
- Amika Perk Pop-Up: From June 21 to 23, Amika hosted a pop-up event in Manhattan (39 Wooster St). Attendees could receive dry styling, photo opportunities, and samples.
- Crayola Stay Creative Art Exhibit: Crayola hosted an art exhibit in Manhattan (545 W 23rd St) on Friday and Saturday. While not explicitly stated as a sample distribution point, such events often include promotional giveaways.
- Veuve Clicquot Emotions of the Sun Art Exhibit: This event took place in Manhattan (216 Lafayette St) from Friday through Sunday. Similar to the Crayola event, it is an in-person brand experience.
Health and Hydration
- Liquid I.V.: On June 22 and 23, Liquid I.V. hosted a "first-of-its-kind Hydration Experience" at Gansevoort Plaza to celebrate National Hydration Day. This event likely included samples of their hydration multiplier products.
Event-Based and Regional Freebies
Several freebies mentioned in the data are tied to specific local events or regional promotions, primarily focused on New York City.
- Newman’s Own Pizza Truck: A "Pay What You Want" (PWYW) pizza truck operated at various locations in NYC.
- Free Kayaking: Downtown Boathouse and other organizations offered free kayaking every weekend.
- Shakespeare in the Parks: Live performances of Comedy of Errors were scheduled across New York City parks during the summer.
- Lincoln Center Summer for the City: This event offered free performances and dance parties.
- Free Watersports: Organizations like Downtown Boathouse and North Brooklyn provided access to free watersports activities.
- Wildly Better Well-Being NYC: On June 21, PROXY hosted a mental health event at Shopify NY.
Other Retail and App-Based Offers
- Bass Pro Shops: Bass Pro Shops offered free photos with Santa through Christmas Eve. Reservations were recommended.
- SONIC App: Making any purchase through the SONIC app resulted in a free any-size Coca-Cola, customizable with up to 11 flavor add-ins.
- Cracker Barrel: Customers who preordered a Heat and Serve Feast or Dinner by Sunday for pickup between November 22 and 30 received a free pair of mini salt and pepper shakers.
- Williams Sonoma: Stores hosted free Thanksgiving cooking classes, requiring sign-up at local stores.
- National Park Service: Sites that normally charge admission were free to enter on Veterans Day (Tuesday).
Important Considerations for Consumers
When seeking these freebies, consumers should be aware of several limitations and requirements:
- Geographic Restrictions: Some offers, such as the Kroger ice cream coupon, explicitly exclude certain states (California, Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Nevada).
- Time Sensitivity: Many offers are valid only for specific hours (e.g., Panda Express after 9:00 p.m.) or specific days (e.g., June 20 only).
- Supply Limits: Items like the Schick Hydro Five razor and the Kroger ice cream pints are available only "while supplies last" or up to a specific quantity (92,000 pints).
- Membership/App Requirements: Several offers require downloading a specific app (P.F. Chang’s, Chipotle, White Castle, SONIC) or being a rewards member (Baskin-Robbins, Cava).
- Purchase Requirements: Some "freebies" require the purchase of another item (BOGO deals at Subway, White Castle, Krispy Kreme, and Ice Cream Jubilee).
- Reliability of Sources: The data includes information from official brand websites and news outlets (KSAT, WTOP, AOL) as well as reports from social media accounts (The Freebie Guy). Consumers should verify details, particularly for location-specific events like the Edible Arrangements smoothie offer, by checking the official company website or calling local stores.
Conclusion
June 22 offers a variety of free samples and promotional deals, particularly in the food and beverage sector. Key opportunities include free orange chicken at Panda Express (after 9:00 p.m.), lettuce wraps at P.F. Chang's (via app), and significant discounts on ice cream and donuts at chains like Kroger and Krispy Kreme. Additionally, beauty samples are available at the Amika pop-up in NYC, and free razors are available at Walmart while supplies last. Consumers should carefully review eligibility requirements, including geographic restrictions, purchase requirements, and app downloads, to successfully redeem these offers.