A variety of freebies and promotional deals are currently available across the United States, ranging from food and beverage discounts to retail giveaways and event-specific offers. These opportunities are often tied to specific dates, holidays, or membership programs, requiring consumers to act quickly or meet certain eligibility criteria to redeem them.
National Food and Beverage Promotions
Several national chains have rolled out limited-time offers to celebrate specific food holidays or to drive customer engagement through mobile applications and loyalty programs.
National Cheeseburger Day Deals
September 18 marks National Cheeseburger Day, and various restaurants are offering incentives to attract customers. Friendly’s is providing its Sweet Rewards members with a free medium sundae for any cheeseburger purchase made on September 18. Eligible members can access a single-day digital coupon by signing into their accounts. McDonald’s is celebrating with a 50-cent double cheeseburger deal available exclusively through the McDonald’s app on September 18. New members of the MyMcDonald's Rewards program who make their first in-app purchase will earn 1,500 bonus points, which can be redeemed for future cheeseburgers or other menu items. MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is offering a deal valid through Sunday, September 19. New and existing rewards members who order through the MOOYAH Rewards App can receive a $5 burger, provided their purchase meets a $5 minimum.
Tax Day Offers
On Tax Day, April 18, several companies offered discounts and free items. Bob Evans provided 30 percent off almost all orders with a coupon. Bruegger's Bagels offered bagel bundles for $10.40, a discount of $3.50. Firehouse Subs allowed customers to get a free medium sub with the purchase of a medium or large sub, chips, and a drink. Great American Cookies gave away a free Birthday Cake Cookie with no purchase or proof of taxes required. Hooters offered free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult entree, dine-in only. Hot Dog on a Stick gave away a free Original Turkey Dog with no purchase necessary, limit one per customer. Kona Ice served free cups of tropical shaved ice at various post offices and shopping centers.
Halloween and Holiday Seasonal Offers
During the Halloween season, Krispy Kreme offered a free Original Glazed or Classic Ring doughnut to anyone wearing a costume to a participating shop on Saturday or on Halloween, with no purchase necessary. Tropical Smoothie Cafe held a Fan Fest from November 3-9, where Tropic Rewards members could get a free 24 oz. smoothie when purchasing a bowl of food through the app. MyPanera members could get a free bakery treat when placing a minimum order for delivery through November 16. Corner Bakery offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal on Baby Bundts or Bundt Bites on November 15 for National Bundt Cake Day. Shake Shack offered a free Summer BBQ Sandwich when placing a $10 order online or through an in-store kiosk through Monday. Sheetz offered two free hot dogs with any purchase to celebrate its 800th location, available in the Sheetz app. Popeye’s offered a free 6-piece order of wings with a $10 order online or through the app every Monday following a Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown by Baker Mayfield. Sonic offered a free any-size Coca-Cola with any purchase through the Sonic App. Ice Cream Jubilee offered a buy-six-get-six-free deal on mini doughnuts through Sunday. Great American Cookies offered a free Birthday Cake Cookie on Tax Day. Andy’s Pizza offered a free slice of pizza with the purchase of a pint of beer at the new Atlas Bridge District Brewery and Tap Room on Saturday and Sunday.
Retail and Store-Specific Promotions
Retailers are utilizing reopening events and holiday seasons to distribute free goods and offer discounts.
Uniqlo Reopening
Uniqlo’s grand reopening at Tysons Corner Center included daily freebies from November 14-19. These included free goodie bags and free breakfast for early shoppers, as well as free Japanese Taiko drum performances.
Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops are offering free photos with Santa through Christmas Eve. Reserving a spot in advance is recommended.
Williams Sonoma
Williams Sonoma stores hosted free Thanksgiving cooking classes on Sunday and November 16. Customers needed to find their local store and sign up.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel offered a free pair of mini salt and pepper shakers to customers who preordered a Heat and Serve Feast or Dinner by Sunday for pickup between November 22-30.
Chicken Salad Chick
The first 100 people in line for the grand opening of a new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant on Elden St. in Herndon received freebies on November 18. Giveaways with purchase were available for early visitors on November 19-22.
Event and Location-Based Freebies
Various events and locations offer free entry or items, particularly during holidays and special occasions.
Halloween Events
In the D.C. region, several Halloween events offered free activities. The Silver Spring Zombie Walk took place on Saturday, starting with a gathering at All Set Restaurant, followed by after-parties. The Del Ray Halloween Parade took over Mount Vernon Avenue on Sunday, featuring contests for costumed pets and people with strollers. "Harbor Halloween" at National Harbor on Sunday allowed kids and dogs in costume to ride The Capital Wheel for free when an adult bought a ticket. The event also included trick-or-treating, a "Pet Pawrade," a costume contest, and a free screening of "Hocus Pocus" on the Plaza.
Veterans Day
National Park Service sites that normally charge admission were free to enter on Veterans Day, Tuesday. Cracker Barrel offered a free pair of mini salt and pepper shakers with preorders of Heat and Serve Feasts. Williams Sonoma hosted free Thanksgiving cooking classes. Sonic offered a free any-size Coca-Cola with any purchase through the app.
Other Events
The Kennedy Center offered a free "Family Sing Along" on Saturday, requiring advance registration. George Washington’s Mount Vernon offered unlimited daytime visits for the rest of 2025 with the purchase of a full-price admission ticket. The Mount Vernon Inn restaurant offered free meals for kids age 12 and younger on Tuesday evenings with the purchase of an adult entree. DC JazzFest performances could be heard for free from the Wharf Street promenade.
Membership and App-Based Freebies
Many offers require membership in a loyalty program or the use of a specific mobile app.
Chick-fil-A
Wizards fans can get free food through the Chick-fil-A app during home games. If an opposing player misses two free throws in a row in the fourth quarter, the user wins a free sandwich. The offer must be claimed the day after the game and redeemed within five days.
MyMcDonald's Rewards
New members earn 1,500 bonus points on their first in-app purchase, redeemable for menu items.
Tropic Rewards
Members could get a free 24 oz. smoothie with a food purchase during the Fan Fest.
Sheetz App
The offer for two free hot dogs required clicking the OFFERZ tab in the Sheetz app.
Sonic App
A free any-size Coca-Cola was available with any purchase made through the Sonic App.
MOOYAH Rewards App
The $5 burger deal required ordering through the app.
Friendly’s Sweet Rewards
Members received a digital coupon for a free medium sundae with a cheeseburger purchase.
General Retail and Shopping Deals
TheFreebieGuy.com provides daily updates on deals, coupon codes, and discounts at major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Macy's, Kohl's, Best Buy, Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, Costco, and Sam's Club. The site claims to help shoppers save over 50 percent on most items through coupons, promo codes, and exclusive discounts across categories like fashion, beauty, home goods, electronics, and groceries.
Conclusion
The landscape of freebies and promotional offers is dynamic, often revolving around specific calendar dates, holidays, and loyalty program engagement. Consumers seeking to maximize savings should monitor mobile apps from major food chains and retailers, join loyalty programs, and watch for seasonal events. Offers range from completely free items with no purchase necessary to discounts requiring a qualifying purchase or specific app usage. Availability is frequently limited to participating locations and specific timeframes.