Tax Day Freebies and Restaurant Specials in Indianapolis: A 2025 Guide

Tax Day, typically April 15, serves as a deadline for filing federal income tax returns, but it has also evolved into a day when numerous restaurant chains and retailers offer promotional deals to help consumers offset the financial burden. For residents of Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, a variety of free food items, discounted meals, and special offers are available. These deals often require specific actions such as joining loyalty programs, presenting coupons, or making a minimum purchase. The following guide details the verified offers for the 2025 tax season based on local news reports and national deal aggregators.

Verified Tax Day Offers for 2025

The 2025 tax season features a mix of traditional "freebie" offers and percentage-based discounts. While some deals are strictly limited to Tax Day, others extend through the week or require enrollment in rewards programs prior to the deadline.

Kona Ice: National Chill Out Day

Kona Ice is perhaps the most prominent participant in Tax Day promotions, offering free shaved ice at locations nationwide. In 2025, Kona Ice is celebrating "National Chill Out Day" with the motto "No Taxation Without Relaxation."

The Offer: Free cups of shaved ice.
Eligibility: Open to everyone; no purchase necessary.
Indianapolis Area Availability: Specific locations and times have been published for the greater Indianapolis area and Fort Wayne. In Indianapolis, a truck is scheduled to be at 7855 S. Emerson Ave. from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 15.
Fort Wayne Locations: For residents near Fort Wayne, trucks will be stationed at East Wayne Street (noon to 2:00 p.m.), Bowser Avenue (3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), CVS Lot on East State Blvd. (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and the YMCA on Park Drive (6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.).

BOGO and Free Item Offers

Several chains are offering Buy One, Get One (BOGO) deals or free side items with minimal requirements.

Potbelly: Potbelly is running a BOGO sandwich special. To redeem, customers must use the promo code BOGO online or through the Potbelly mobile app.
Dog Haus: Customers who spend $5 or more at Dog Haus on April 15 can receive a free side of tater tots. This requires using the Haus Rewards program.
Great American Cookies: Participating locations are offering a BOGO deal on Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Slices in-store on April 15.
Fazoli's: Fazoli's offers a BOGO deal on its classic Baked Spaghetti. Customers must use the promo code TAX25 to redeem this offer.

Discounted Meals and Drinks

For those looking to save money rather than receive free items, several restaurants offer percentage discounts or specific price points on Tax Day.

Firehouse Subs: Firehouse Subs is offering a free medium sub with the purchase of an additional medium or large sub, chips, and a drink. This deal requires a coupon, which can be downloaded at FirehouseSubs.com/TaxDay.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Customers can receive $10 off a purchase of $40 or more. This deal is valid for dine-in, takeout, or delivery using the promo code 10OFF40.
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK): CPK Rewards members can save $10 on purchases of $40 or more. This offer is valid for dine-in or takeout through April 17 but excludes locations in Hawaii.
Benihana: Participating locations are offering all cocktails for $10.40 on April 15.
Arby's: Arby's Rewards members have a weekly promotion throughout April. Members receive one free sandwich loaded into their account each week. To redeem, orders must be placed online or through the app with any purchase.

Deals Requiring Loyalty Program Enrollment

Some of the most lucrative deals are restricted to members of specific loyalty programs. Consumers interested in these offers should sign up prior to Tax Day.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Rewards customers who make a minimum purchase of $1 (in-store, drive-through, or via app) will earn double points on their purchases.
Dave & Buster's: Customers who join the D&B Rewards program can receive 50% off all food at participating locations. This specific promotion is valid through April 28, extending beyond Tax Day.

Local Indianapolis Establishments

In addition to national chains, specific Indianapolis-area restaurants have been identified as offering Tax Day specials.

Garbanzo Mediterranean: Located at 1340 E. 86th St. and 11100 N. Michigan Rd. in Indianapolis, this location is featuring $6 Handhelds menu items.
Hooters: Several Indianapolis locations (W. Georgia St., E. 82nd St., and S. U.S. 31) are offering a free meal for children 12 and under. This is for dine-in only and requires the purchase of $15 or more by the accompanying adult for each child.
Kona Grill: The Carmel location (Clay Terrace Blvd.) is offering two Kona margaritas for $10.40.

Convenience Store and Retail Offers

Tax Day deals are not limited to sit-down restaurants. Convenience stores and retailers also participate.

Casey's: Casey's convenience stores are offering a free large one-topping pizza on April 15. This likely requires participation in their rewards program, though specific terms were not detailed in the source material.
7-Eleven: 7-Eleven offers a promotion where customers can get $10.40 off orders of $20 or more in delivery through the 7Now app using the code WRITEOFF.

Sweepstakes and Giveaways

Some brands are utilizing Tax Day for sweepstakes entries rather than immediate discounts.

Bob Evans: Bob Evans is running a "Tax Day Giveaway" through midnight CT on April 15. Participants can enter to win a comfort kit containing a robe, a heated coffee mug, and a year's supply of Bob Evans microwavable products (macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes). To enter, consumers must follow Bob Evans on Instagram or Facebook, like the giveaway post, and comment with the hashtag #Sweepstakes.

Important Considerations for Consumers

While the offers listed above are based on reports from local news and national deal sites, consumers should be aware of several factors when seeking these deals.

Verification and Availability

The source material indicates that offers are "participating locations only." It is strongly recommended that consumers verify the availability of specific deals at their local Indianapolis branch before traveling. For national chains, checking the official restaurant website or calling the specific location is the best course of action.

Terms and Conditions

Most free food offers come with strings attached. * Coupons: Firehouse Subs explicitly requires a coupon downloaded from their website. * App/Online Ordering: Potbelly and Arby's require orders to be placed through their respective apps or websites using specific promo codes. * Dine-In vs. Takeout: Hooters' deal is dine-in only, while others like BJ's Brewhouse offer flexibility for takeout and delivery. * Minimum Purchase: Many "free" items are actually "free with purchase," such as the Firehouse Subs offer or the Dog Haus tater tots (requires a $5 spend).

Timing

Not all deals are valid only on April 15. Some extend for a few days (e.g., CPK through April 17), while others, like the Dave & Buster's 50% off food deal, are valid through April 28. Conversely, the Arby's offer is a weekly recurring deal throughout the month of April.

Regional Restrictions

Some deals have geographic limitations. For example, the California Pizza Kitchen offer explicitly excludes Hawaii. While the provided sources focus on Indianapolis and Indiana, national chains may have varying rules depending on the state.

Conclusion

Tax Day 2025 in Indianapolis offers a wide array of opportunities for consumers to enjoy free or discounted food and drinks. From free shaved ice at Kona Ice trucks to BOGO sandwich deals at Potbelly and Firehouse Subs, there are options for various tastes and budgets. The most valuable deals often require preparation, such as downloading coupons, signing up for loyalty rewards, or using specific promo codes in mobile apps. By consulting local listings and verifying terms with individual restaurants, consumers can effectively "celebrate" the end of tax season with a treat.