The arrival of spring in 2025, marked by the vernal equinox on Thursday, March 20, at 5:01 a.m. EDT, is a time of renewal and celebration. For U.S. consumers, it also signals a season of special promotions from food and beverage chains. Brands capitalize on the cultural shift from winter to spring, offering limited-time freebies and discounts to attract customers and mark the seasonal transition. This article provides a detailed overview of the verified freebies and deals available on the first day of spring 2025, based on information from official brand announcements and reputable news sources. It focuses on food and beverage offers, as the provided source material does not include information on beauty, baby care, pet products, health, or household goods. All information is derived exclusively from the provided context documents, which prioritize official brand promotions and verified reports.
Verified Spring 2025 Freebies and Deals
The primary freebies and deals for March 20, 2025, are concentrated in the food and beverage sector. The following offers have been confirmed by multiple sources and are presented here in detail, including eligibility rules, timing, and participating locations where specified.
Dairy Queen Free Cone Day
Dairy Queen is participating in its annual Free Cone Day celebration to welcome spring. On March 20, 2025, customers can receive a free small vanilla soft-serve cone at participating locations. The offer is valid all day. It is important to note that the promotion applies to most non-mall locations, as well as some participating mall venues. Consumers are advised to verify participation with their local store, as not all locations may be included in the offer.
Rita’s Italian Ice Free Ice Day
Rita’s Italian Ice is continuing its long-standing tradition of offering free Italian ice on the first day of spring. On March 20, 2025, customers can visit any of Rita’s more than 575 locations to receive a free 6-ounce Italian ice in their preferred flavor. The chain is also debuting a new Skittles Italian Ice flavor and running a sweepstakes for a chance to win free Italian ice for a year. This promotion is confirmed by multiple sources and is available to all customers without a purchase requirement.
Jamba $1 Iced Beverage Day
Jamba is offering a promotional price on select iced beverages on March 20, 2025. From 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, customers can purchase a small (16 oz) iced beverage in the Mangomorphosis or Dragonberry Blitz flavors for $1 at participating locations. This offer is not free but represents a significant discount. Consumers should confirm participation with their local Jamba, as the promotion is available only at select locations.
Buffalo Wild Wings BOGO Boneless Wings Deal
Beginning on March 20, 2025, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) deal on boneless wings. This promotion is available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery at participating locations. The deal is tied to the spring season and March Madness, providing a value offer for wing enthusiasts.
Shake Shack Free Avocado Bacon Burger
From March 16 to April 7, 2025, Shake Shack is offering a free Avocado Bacon Burger with a minimum purchase of $10. The offer is valid for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. While this promotion spans beyond the first day of spring, it is part of the seasonal marketing efforts by food chains to attract customers during this period.
Wendy’s App-Exclusive Burger Deal
Through April 13, 2025, Wendy’s is offering a $1 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or a $1 Double Stack with an additional purchase. This deal is exclusively available through the Wendy’s app and is tied to the March Madness basketball tournament. Consumers must use the app to access the offer, highlighting the growing trend of mobile-exclusive promotions.
Gopuff FAM Member Discount
Gopuff FAM members can save 40 percent off select chips and dips in honor of March Madness. This promotion is available from March 18 to April 7, 2025. The offer is targeted at members of the Gopuff subscription service, providing a discount on snacks that are popular during sports viewing events.
Dunkin’ Rewards Bonus
Dunkin’ rewards members can earn 100 bonus points by ordering ahead on Mobile Mondays during March. This promotion is ongoing and includes March 20, 2025. It is designed to encourage the use of the Dunkin’ app and reward loyal customers with points that can be redeemed for future purchases.
Grubhub+ and Amazon Prime Member Discount
From March 18 to April 7, 2025, Grubhub+ and Amazon Prime members can use the code HOOP5 to get $5 off two orders of $20 or more. This promotion is tied to March Madness and is available to members of both subscription services. It provides a discount on food delivery orders, which may include offers from participating restaurants.
Contextual Information: Spring Equinox and Seasonal Promotions
The first day of spring in 2025 is defined by the vernal equinox, which occurs when the sun aligns with the Earth’s equator, resulting in nearly equal daylight and darkness. This astronomical event symbolizes renewal and longer daylight hours, making it a popular time for brands to launch seasonal promotions. The provided sources indicate that the vernal equinox on March 20, 2025, at 5:01 a.m. EDT, is the catalyst for these food and beverage freebies and deals.
The sources also provide information about other spring-related dates, though these are not directly related to free sample programs. For example, Earth Day 2025 is on April 22, and National Park Week begins on April 19, when all U.S. National Parks waive entrance fees. However, these are not part of the freebies and deals discussed in this article, as they fall outside the scope of food and beverage promotions.
Eligibility and Participation Rules
The freebies and deals listed above have specific eligibility rules, primarily based on location, timing, and membership requirements. For most food offers, participation is limited to specific chains and may not be available at all locations. Consumers are advised to check with individual stores or use official brand apps to confirm participation before visiting.
For app-based offers, such as those from Wendy’s, Dunkin’, and Grubhub+, users must have the respective app installed and an active account. Some promotions, like the Gopuff FAM member discount, require a subscription to the service. No purchase is required for the free cone or free Italian ice offers, but other deals, such as the Shake Shack burger or Wendy’s burger, require an additional purchase or a minimum order value.
Limitations of the Source Material
The provided context documents focus exclusively on food and beverage promotions for the first day of spring 2025. There is no information about free samples, trials, or deals in other categories such as beauty, baby care, pet products, health, or household goods. Additionally, the sources do not include details about mail-in sample programs or broader promotional offers beyond the specific chains mentioned. As a result, this article is limited to the verified food and beverage freebies and deals available on March 20, 2025.
Conclusion
The first day of spring in 2025, March 20, brings a variety of freebies and deals from food and beverage chains across the United States. Consumers can enjoy free treats such as Dairy Queen’s small vanilla cone and Rita’s 6-ounce Italian ice, along with discounted beverages from Jamba and value deals from Buffalo Wild Wings, Shake Shack, Wendy’s, Gopuff, Dunkin’, and Grubhub+. These promotions are tied to the seasonal equinox and March Madness, offering opportunities for savings and celebration. To maximize these offers, consumers should verify participation with local stores, use required apps or memberships, and be mindful of timing and location restrictions. While the source material does not cover other product categories, the available food and beverage deals provide a clear snapshot of seasonal marketing efforts in 2025.