Tax Day 2019, which fell on April 15, brought a wave of promotional offers and freebies to consumers across the United States, including specific opportunities for residents of California. These deals, primarily from restaurant chains, were designed to provide a small respite or reward for taxpayers during the annual filing deadline. The offers ranged from complimentary food items with a purchase to discounted meals and exclusive app-based rewards. While many promotions were national in scope, their availability often depended on participation from individual franchise locations, particularly in states like California where consumer demand for such incentives is high.
The majority of the deals highlighted for Tax Day 2019 were valid only on April 15, though some extended through the surrounding weekend or into the following week. Common requirements for redeeming these offers included mentioning a specific phrase at the time of order, such as “1040,” or presenting a coupon. Other promotions required a minimum purchase, a download of a restaurant’s mobile application, or enrollment in a loyalty program. For California consumers, these opportunities provided a mix of no-cost items and significant discounts on popular menu items, helping to offset the potential stress of tax season. It is important to note that participation varied, and consumers were advised to confirm with their local establishments before visiting.
Major Restaurant Chains Offering Tax Day Promotions in California
Several well-known restaurant chains participated in Tax Day 2019 promotions, offering deals that were accessible to customers in California. These promotions often leveraged the tax theme to engage customers and drive traffic to physical locations or digital ordering platforms.
California Tortilla
California Tortilla offered a promotion that required customers to say “1040” in-store to receive a free small chips and queso with any purchase. This offer was valid in-store only on April 15, 2019, and was not combinable with other offers or valid for online or delivery orders. The brand’s promotion was a straightforward, in-person incentive tied directly to the tax filing theme.
Hardee’s
Hardee’s provided a free sausage biscuit from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on April 15 at participating locations. To secure the deal, customers were instructed to say “made from scratch” when ordering. This morning-specific promotion targeted the breakfast crowd and required no purchase, though it was limited to the specified time window.
Great American Cookies
Great American Cookies offered a free Original Chocolate Chip cookie on April 15, with a limit of one per customer. This promotion was available at participating locations and did not require a purchase, making it a simple, no-cost treat for taxpayers.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse featured a half-price deal on large deep-dish or Tavern-cut large pizzas on April 15. The promotion was available for dine-in, takeout, or online orders, though specific terms regarding promo codes or minimum purchases were not detailed in all reports. Later reports for subsequent years indicated a trend of BJ’s offering promo codes like “FREEAPP” for complimentary appetizers with larger orders, suggesting a pattern of Tax Day engagement by the brand.
Hooters
Hooters promoted a “Kids Eat Free” deal from April 14 through April 17, 2019. The offer required a minimum purchase of $10 or more from an adult entrée, providing a family-friendly option during the tax filing period.
Other Participating Brands
Additional chains with notable Tax Day 2019 offers included: * Boston Market: Offered a half-chicken meal and drink for $10.40 on April 15. * Pizza Hut: Provided a large two-topping pizza for $5.99, available for online or carry-out orders. * Smoothie King: Offered $2 off any smoothie through the rewards app. * Tijuana Flats: Featured a $5 burrito deal on Monday, April 15. * Kona Ice: Provided a free cup of tropical shaved ice.
Digital Engagement and App-Based Offers
A significant portion of Tax Day 2019 promotions required digital engagement, such as downloading a mobile application or signing up for a rewards program. This strategy allowed brands to build their customer databases while offering value.
B.Good required customers to download the B.Good app to receive a free burger or green/grain bowl on Tax Day. Existing app users were rewarded with free fries with any purchase. This tiered incentive structure encouraged both new downloads and continued loyalty from existing customers.
Smoothie King’s $2 discount was exclusively available through its rewards app, highlighting the growing importance of mobile platforms in executing promotional campaigns. Similarly, Burger King’s Tax Day offer in later years (2025) involved a 1-cent cheeseburger for Royal Perks members with a minimum purchase, reinforcing the trend of app-exclusive deals.
Promotions Requiring a Purchase vs. True Freebies
Consumers should distinguish between offers that are truly free (no purchase necessary) and those that require a minimum spend to unlock the benefit.
True Freebies (No Purchase Required): * Great American Cookies: Free cookie. * Hardee’s: Free sausage biscuit (during specified hours). * Kona Ice: Free cup of shaved ice. * Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt: Free small frozen yogurt (as reported for 2019).
Offers Requiring a Purchase: * California Tortilla: Free chips and queso with any purchase. * Firehouse Subs: Free medium sub when you purchase a sub, chips, and a drink. * BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Free appetizer with an online order of $25 or more (in later years). * Hooters: Kids eat free with a purchase of $10 or more from an adult.
Geographic and Participatory Considerations for California
While many of these promotions were national in concept, actual availability in California depended on individual franchisee participation. Major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego typically saw high participation rates, while rural locations may have opted out. Consumers in California were advised to call ahead or check local store social media pages to confirm participation before traveling to a location.
The provided source material does not specify any California-exclusive freebies beyond the general national campaigns. However, the concentration of chain restaurants in California makes these offers particularly accessible to residents in the state. The lack of state-specific terms in the source data suggests that California consumers were eligible for the same national offers available in other states, provided their local restaurant was participating.
Historical Context and Evolving Offers
The Tax Day freebie tradition has evolved over the years. The 2019 offers described in the source material represent a baseline of common promotions that reappeared in subsequent years with slight variations. For example, 7-Eleven offered a free medium Slurpee in 2020 as part of its birthday celebration, which coincided with the extended Tax Day deadline that year (July 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Similarly, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse transitioned from a percentage-off deal in 2019 to a promo-code-based free appetizer offer in 2020, demonstrating how brands adjust their promotional mechanics. The 2025 data indicates a continued trend of promo codes (e.g., “WRITEOFF” for 7-Eleven delivery, “10OFF40” for BJ’s), showing that digital redemption has become the standard for accessing these deals.
Conclusion
Tax Day 2019 provided California consumers with a variety of restaurant-based freebies and deals, ranging from free cookies and sausage biscuits to discounted pizzas and family meal offers. The majority of these promotions were available exclusively on April 15, 2019, and often required a specific action such as mentioning a code, downloading an app, or making a purchase. While the specific offers have since expired, the patterns observed in 2019—such as the reliance on digital apps, the distinction between purchase-required and no-purchase offers, and the importance of verifying local participation—remain relevant for consumers seeking similar promotional opportunities in future years.