As November progresses, consumers across the United States are preparing for Thanksgiving, a holiday often associated with family gatherings and elaborate meals. During this time, various brands, restaurants, and grocery chains roll out promotional offers, freebies, and discounted bundles to help reduce the financial burden of holiday preparations. These offers range from complimentary food items with purchase to full take-home meal kits and loyalty program rewards. Understanding the specifics of these promotions—including eligibility requirements, redemption deadlines, and participating locations—is essential for consumers looking to maximize savings.
The landscape of Thanksgiving offers is diverse, encompassing grocery store incentives, fast-food chain promotions, and full-service restaurant takeout options. Many of these deals are time-sensitive, requiring orders or purchases to be made before the holiday, which falls on November 27 this year. Additionally, some promotions are tied to loyalty programs or specific purchasing thresholds, such as minimum spend requirements or total transaction amounts accumulated over time. This article provides a detailed overview of the available freebies and deals based on current promotional information.
Grocery Store Incentives and Free Turkey Offers
One of the most traditional ways to save on Thanksgiving dinner is through grocery store promotions that offer a free turkey or other main protein with a qualifying purchase. Several major chains have announced such offers for the current season.
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Giant, and Randalls These grocery stores are offering free turkeys to customers who meet specific minimum purchase requirements. While the exact dollar amount needed to qualify for a free turkey is not detailed in the source material, the offer generally requires shoppers to spend a certain amount on their holiday grocery haul. Consumers are advised to check with their local store branches for specific terms and conditions, as these offers can vary by region.
ShopRite ShopRite is extending a specific offer to its Price Plus club members. Members who spend $400 by November 24 are eligible to choose one free entree. The available options for the free entree include a frozen turkey (up to 21 pounds), an Empire kosher frozen chicken (up to 7 pounds), or a 96-ounce Stouffer's frozen lasagna. This promotion incentivizes members to consolidate their holiday shopping within a specific timeframe to unlock the reward.
Lidl Lidl offers a budget-friendly Thanksgiving solution for members of its free loyalty program. These members can purchase a basket of Thanksgiving dinner essentials for less than $30. The contents of this basket reportedly include a 13-pound turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pie crust, a gallon of milk, and several other items necessary to prepare a traditional dinner. This offer is designed to provide a complete meal solution at a low price point for loyalty program participants.
Aldi Aldi is running a "Thanksgiving Price Rewind" initiative, turning back the clock on prices for select holiday items. Shoppers can get up to 30% off on holiday favorites, including appetizers, desserts, sides, and drinks, provided they purchase products marked with Aldi's specific "Rewind" icon. This promotion allows consumers to stock up on staples at reduced prices comparable to those from several years ago.
Restaurant Take-Home Feasts and Bundles
For consumers who prefer not to cook, many restaurant chains offer heat-and-serve or ready-to-go Thanksgiving meal bundles. These typically feed anywhere from four to ten people and include traditional holiday proteins and sides.
Buca di Beppo The Italian restaurant chain offers a Thanksgiving feast featuring traditional sliced turkey, spicy Italian stuffing, and pumpkin pie. The cost is $105 for a meal serving three to four people, and $160 for five to six people. Pickup windows are scheduled from November 17 through November 27. On Thanksgiving Day, pickup hours are limited to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Popeyes Popeyes offers a Cajun-style Thanksgiving turkey available for delivery at a cost of $95. The chain describes the turkey as "marinated with our signature blend of Louisiana seasoning, slow roasted and then flash-fried for a crispy coating." This provides a fully prepared main course option for those ordering in advance.
General Restaurant Takeout Trends According to industry observations, many chains offer take-home feasts designed to feed four to ten or more people, often for less than $100. Most of these bundles include turkey, ham, or other proteins; potatoes and dressing; bread; and sides. Cranberries are frequently included, and some bundles also feature desserts such as pumpkin or apple pie. Consumers should note that most of these bundles require ordering in advance, with deadlines often occurring a few days before the holiday. Pickup windows are usually limited, and many restaurants are closed or have limited hours on Thanksgiving Day.
Fast Food and Casual Dining Promotions
Beyond full meals, several fast-food and casual dining chains are offering specific freebies and discounts during the November holiday period.
Domino’s Pizza Domino’s is running a promotion for a free "emergency pizza." Customers who make a purchase of $7.99 or more receive a coupon for a free pizza. This coupon must be redeemed within 30 days of receipt.
Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkin’ Donuts offers a free donut every Wednesday through Christmas with the purchase of a beverage. The promotion coincides with the availability of holiday beverages such as the Holiday Cookie Signature Latte, Cookie Butter Cold Brew, Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte, and Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte.
Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts on November 13. Additionally, the chain is introducing new Christmas flavors, including Sugar Cookie, Gingerbread Cookie Crumb, and the Red Velvet cake doughnut, starting around November 25.
Wendy’s Through November 27, Wendy’s is offering a free order of fries with any carryout purchase ordered through the Wendy's mobile app. Furthermore, customers can receive $4 off any purchase over $20 when ordering through the app.
Taco Bell Taco Bell is bringing back a discontinued menu item, the Enchirito, from Thursday through November 30. The item is described as a cheesy, beefy, saucy entrée.
Popeyes (Additional Promotion) In addition to its turkey offer, Popeyes is participating in the Grubhub Gold Days of Grubhub+ promotion until November 17. Customers can receive a free Chicken Sandwich with a minimum delivery order of $20.
Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo Wild Wings is also part of the Grubhub promotion, offering Buy One Get One (BOGO) wings with a minimum delivery order of $25.
Chipotle Chipotle is offering BOGO 50% off entrees for delivery orders with a minimum of $20, providing up to $7 off.
Jack in the Box Jack in the Box is offering $5 off delivery orders of $20 or more.
Sweetgreen Sweetgreen is offering $5 off delivery orders of $25 or more.
Select Grocery (via Grubhub) Through the Grubhub promotion, select grocery orders are eligible for 30% off (up to $25 off) with a minimum order of $40.
Shake Shack Shake Shack is offering a $0 delivery fee on all orders made through the Shake Shack app using the code GETSHACK. This promotion is valid through the end of the year.
Loyalty Programs and Other Promotions
Several other brands are offering incentives tied to loyalty programs or specific purchasing behaviors.
Smoothie King Smoothie King has introduced two secret, festive smoothie flavors: Apple Pie and Snickerdoodle. These Thanksgiving-inspired flavors are available for a limited time through the smoothie maker's app or website.
Tim Hortons Tim Hortons rewards members can get a medium Peppermint Mocha Iced Capp for $1 when ordering through the restaurant's app or website through December 12. The chain is also offering other holiday beverages and a tree-shaped donut.
Pieology Pizzeria Pieology is offering a $5 bonus gift card for free when customers buy a $25 gift card by December 31.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters La Colombe is offering 30% off coffee beans, canned lattes, and all other items on its website from November 23 through November 28. The deal is also extended to its cafes from November 25 to November 27.
Community and Charitable Resources
For those in need, Feeding America provides free Thanksgiving meals through a network of food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and faith groups. Eligible individuals can receive a Thanksgiving turkey, lunch or dinner, food box, or home delivery. Resources are available by entering a zip code on the Feeding America website.
Conclusion
The November holiday season provides a wide array of freebies and promotional deals across grocery stores, fast-food chains, and full-service restaurants. Consumers can find savings through loyalty programs, minimum purchase incentives, and limited-time app-based offers. To take advantage of these opportunities, individuals should verify specific terms, such as expiration dates and participating locations, directly with the brands or through their official promotional channels.