Friday the 13th, a date long associated with superstition and bad luck, has been embraced by numerous businesses as an opportunity to offer consumers special deals and freebies. These promotions, often themed around the concept of "lucky" offers, provide a counterpoint to the day's traditional reputation. The available information highlights specific promotions from major brands, detailing the mechanics of the offers, eligibility requirements, and participation methods. This article compiles and explains these verified opportunities for U.S. consumers.
Current Promotions for Friday the 13th
Several national brands have structured promotions specifically for Friday the 13th, leveraging the date's cultural significance to attract customers. These offers typically require specific actions, such as making a purchase, using an app, or ordering through a third-party delivery service.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Krispy Kreme has a long-standing tradition of using the date to promote its products. For a recent Friday the 13th, the company offered a significant discount on a classic item.
- Offer: A dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for 13 cents.
- Condition: This discount is available only with the purchase of any dozen or 16-count Minis at their regular price.
- Availability: The offer is valid at participating shops. It can be redeemed in-store or online for pickup or delivery via the Krispy Kreme app or website.
- Promo Code: The code "13" must be used when ordering online or through the app.
- Limitations: There is a limit of one discounted dozen per customer.
Wendy's
Wendy's utilizes its loyalty program to provide value to members, including on dates like Friday the 13th.
- Offer: A free any size hot and crispy fries.
- Condition: The offer is available to Wendy's Rewards members and requires any purchase made through the Wendy's app.
- Additional Offer: The promotion also included a small Frosty for $1, valid through the end of the month.
Pepsi and Partner Pizza Chains
In a collaborative promotion, Pepsi partnered with several pizza chains to offer a free pizza under specific conditions.
- Offer: One free pizza from participating Papa John's, Pizza Hut, or Little Caesars locations.
- Condition: The offer is valid only when ordering via DoorDash and including a 2-liter or 20-ounce bottle of Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Diet Pepsi, or Pepsi Wild Cherry in the order.
- Timeframe: The promotion was valid from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 13.
- Minimum Purchase: A minimum order subtotal is required, excluding taxes and fees. The minimum was $40 for Papa John's or Pizza Hut and $30 for Little Caesars.
- Limitations: The offer is not valid for pickup orders and is limited to one free pizza per customer.
General Friday the 13th Shopping and Dining Trends
Beyond specific, time-bound promotions, Friday the 13th has evolved into a broader promotional event in the retail and dining landscape. Businesses often use the day to launch "Lucky 13" themed menu items, sales, and special deals. These can include "Buy One Get One Free" offers and outright freebies, though the specifics vary by location and business. Consumers are often advised to check local business social media pages, such as Facebook, for deals offered by local merchants on these dates.
Broader Freebie and Promotional Opportunities
While the provided data focuses on food and beverage promotions for Friday the 13th, the concept of free samples and promotional offers extends across numerous categories. The following information, drawn from a weekly freebie roundup, illustrates the diversity of available offers, though these are not specifically tied to Friday the 13th.
Food and Beverage Freebies
- IHOP: Offers free, all-you-can-eat pancakes (served two at a time) with the purchase of certain breakfast combos. This deal is available for a limited time at participating restaurants.
- Shake Shack: Provides a free Chicken Shack or Chicken Shack Lettuce Wrap with a $10 order every Sunday through a specified date. Orders can be placed at in-store kiosks or via the app using a designated promo code.
- Dunkin': Rewards members can receive a free, any size hot or iced coffee using a specific promo code in the app on a designated day, while supplies last.
- Raise the Roost: Offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on chicken sandwiches and chicken biscuits.
- Potbelly: Perks members can get a free original sandwich or wrap with the purchase of a big or original sandwich or wrap on a specific day.
- KFC: Rewards members who make a $5 online purchase through a specified date receive a free classic chicken sandwich.
- Chipotle: Offers buy-one-get-one-free deals on specific items during the first three Saturdays in December, with changing offers each week. Rewards members may also receive offers for free chips or guac.
Retail and Service Freebies
- Williams Sonoma: Offers free cooking and baking classes at its stores on specific dates. Reservations are required in advance.
- Hungry Howie's: Provides a free limited-edition garlic ranch flavored pizza crust on any pie purchased, available through March 31 or while supplies last.
- Chicken Salad Chick: On Guest Appreciation Day, customers can get a free scoop of Classic Carol chicken salad with no purchase necessary, while supplies last. An additional free scoop is offered with every meal ordered online or through the app.
- Club Crackers: The purchase of two boxes of Club Extra Buttery crackers in a single transaction allows customers to claim a promo code for a free Fandango at Home movie rental.
- Montana West: Offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on select handbags and wallets online for a limited time.
- Regal Theatres: On National Popcorn Day, customers dressed as a favorite movie star can receive a free large popcorn at the concession stand.
Community and Event-Based Freebies
- Noon Yards Eve: A free celebration for children at The Yards in Washington, D.C., running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on December 31, featuring carnival games, train rides, bounce houses, and a balloon drop at noon.
- Midnight Madness (Annapolis): A holiday event offering free parking, street entertainment, and in-store treats in downtown Annapolis on December 18.
- American Red Cross: Offers free Red Cross x PAC-MAN socks to individuals who give blood by a specified date, while supplies last.
Understanding the Mechanics of Free Offers
The promotions detailed in the provided sources illustrate several common models for how brands distribute free products and discounts. Understanding these models can help consumers navigate and successfully redeem offers.
Purchase-Required Offers
Many of the most substantial discounts, such as Krispy Kreme's 13-cent dozen and Wendy's free fries, require a qualifying purchase. This model is designed to drive sales while providing added value to the customer. The condition is typically straightforward: buy a specific item or meet a minimum spend threshold to unlock the free or heavily discounted item. For example, the Pepsi pizza offer required the purchase of a specific Pepsi product and a minimum order subtotal from a pizza chain.
Loyalty Program Benefits
Wendy's promotion highlights the value of brand loyalty programs. Free items are often reserved for members, incentivizing customers to download the app, create an account, and make purchases through the brand's official channels. This allows companies to gather customer data and foster repeat business. The requirement to use the app for the Wendy's fries offer is a common tactic to increase digital engagement.
Third-Party Platform Integrations
The Pepsi and pizza chain promotion demonstrates an integrated marketing campaign involving multiple brands and a third-party delivery service (DoorDash). Consumers must navigate the conditions of all parties: the brand (Pepsi), the restaurant chains (Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars), and the delivery platform (DoorDash). These offers often come with specific time windows and order minimums, emphasizing the need to read the full terms and conditions.
Time-Limited and Location-Specific Promotions
Many freebies are available only for a limited time or at participating locations. The Krispy Kreme offer is valid only on the specific Friday, and the Pepsi pizza deal is constrained to a six-hour window. Similarly, IHOP's pancake deal is for a "limited time," and offers from brands like Hungry Howie's and Club Crackers have expiration dates. Consumers should verify participation at local outlets before visiting.
No-Purchase-Necessary Freebies
Some offers, like the free scoop of chicken salad at Chicken Salad Chick on Guest Appreciation Day, require no purchase. These are often used as customer appreciation gestures or to drive foot traffic with the hope that customers will make additional purchases. These freebies are frequently subject to availability ("while supplies last").
Strategic Considerations for Consumers
To maximize the benefits of freebies and promotional offers, consumers should adopt a strategic approach.
- Read the Fine Print: Always check the offer's terms and conditions. Key details to look for include the expiration date, participating locations, required actions (e.g., app download, promo code), purchase requirements, and limits per customer.
- Use Official Channels: To ensure validity, redeem offers through the brand's official app, website, or in-store. Third-party reports or social media posts may be inaccurate or outdated.
- Plan Ahead: For time-sensitive offers like the Friday the 13th promotions or specific event-based freebies, planning is essential. Check store hours, participate early, and have any necessary information (like a promo code) ready.
- Leverage Loyalty Programs: Signing up for brand loyalty programs can provide access to exclusive offers, early notifications, and personalized deals. This is a primary method for receiving free fries, coffee, or other items.
- Stay Informed: Regularly check brand social media pages, local news outlets, and dedicated deal websites for announcements about new freebies and promotions.
Conclusion
Friday the 13th has been effectively repurposed by brands like Krispy Kreme, Wendy's, and Pepsi as a day for customer-centric promotions, transforming a symbol of bad luck into an opportunity for savings and free items. The offers are typically structured around specific conditions such as a qualifying purchase, app usage, or participation in a loyalty program. Beyond this specific date, the broader landscape of free samples and promotional deals is vast, spanning food, retail, and community events. Success in obtaining these offers relies on careful attention to the stated eligibility rules, time constraints, and participating locations. By understanding the common models of these promotions and staying informed through official brand channels, consumers can strategically access valuable freebies and deals.