Tax Day, April 15th, is a date many Americans associate with filing deadlines and financial obligations. In response, a wide array of national and regional restaurant chains offer special promotions, discounts, and free items to ease the burden for consumers. These deals are typically available for a limited time on or around Tax Day, with specific terms, geographic restrictions, and eligibility requirements. This article provides a detailed overview of the freebies, discounts, and special offers available from various food and beverage establishments, based on information from promotional announcements and deal listings.
Many of these promotions require specific actions to redeem, such as using a mobile app, entering a promo code, joining a loyalty program, or presenting a coupon. Availability can vary significantly by location, and consumers are advised to confirm participation with their local restaurant before visiting. The following sections categorize the offers by type and detail the conditions for redemption.
Food and Beverage Freebies
A significant number of restaurants offer complimentary food items on Tax Day, often requiring a purchase or membership in a loyalty program.
Free Food with Purchase
Several chains provide free items when customers make a qualifying purchase. For example, Firehouse Subs offers a coupon on their website (FirehouseSubs.com/TaxDay) for a free sub with the purchase of a sub, chips, and drink. This same birthday offer is available to members of their e-club. Schlotsky’s provides a free small The Original sandwich with the purchase of chips and a medium drink at all 336 locations in 24 states, with no coupon required. Pot Belly Sandwiches allows customers to get a free Original sandwich using the code “BOGO” with the purchase of any Big or Original sandwich.
P.F. Chang’s offers a free appetizer with purchase for customers who text “CRAVE” to 242647 to receive a coupon. Tony Roma’s gives dine-in guests a free Kickin’ Shrimp coupon with the purchase of an adult entrée at locations in CA, CO, FL, IA, MT, NC, and NV. Great American Cookie provides a buy-one-get-one-free deal on chocolate chip cookie cake slices at participating stores.
Some offers are tied to specific times. Hardee’s provides a free sausage biscuit from 7-10 am when customers say “Made From Scratch” at the counter. Hot Dog On a Stick offers a free original turkey or veggie dog at participating locations, with a limit of one per customer and no purchase necessary.
Free Items for Loyalty Program Members
Joining a restaurant’s loyalty or rewards program is a common method to access Tax Day freebies. Dunkin’ Donuts DD Perks loyalty members can get a medium hot or iced coffee for $1 at participating restaurants nationwide. Quizno’s offers a 10.40 percent deduction off any purchase, including catering, for Toasty Points loyalty app members on Tax Day.
Paris Baguette rewards members can receive a free pastry with the purchase of any beverage on April 15. Smoothie King Healthy Rewards members get $3 off purchases worth $15 or $4 off purchases worth $20. Noodles & Company Rewards Members receive $4 off any online order of $10.
B.Good offers a free green or grain bowl or a burger through April 20 for customers who download their app. If the app is already installed, customers can still get free fries with any purchase. This deal is valid in MA, CT, ME, NH, NY, RI, and TX.
Free Items with No Purchase Necessary
Some promotions provide free items without requiring a purchase. Cinnabon offers 2 free Classic Bites, but customers should check with their local restaurant for participation, as the offer is valid nationwide. Kona Ice provides a free cup of tropical shaved ice on Tax Day, which they celebrate as “Chill Out Day.” Customers can visit a Kona Ice truck during select hours for this freebie.
Chick-fil-A offers 3 free minis through the app at locations nationwide. McDonalds select locations offer a free small coffee, or a Quarter Pounder for 18 cents when you buy a Quarter Pounder, or a BOGO for 50 cents Big Mac. Sonic offers half-price cheeseburgers, but customers should check with their local Sonic for Tax Day offers.
Discounted Meals and Special Pricing
Many restaurants feature discounted meals or special pricing on Tax Day, often with a specific dollar amount tied to the date.
$10.40 Deals
A common theme is pricing items at $10.40, a nod to the tax date. Boston Market offers a half chicken individual meal with two sides, cornbread, and a regular fountain beverage drink for $10.40 in AZ, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI.
Papa Murphy’s offers two large pizzas for $10.40 on Tax Day. Godfathers Pizza provides a large 1-topping pizza and Monkey Bread for $10.40. Grimaldi’s offers a 16-inch traditional cheese pizza for $10.40 at locations in ID, NV, AL, AZ, CA, FL, KS, KY, NY, SC, TX, and WI.
Sauce Pizza & Wine offers beer and wine for $4.15 when dining in, with locations in AZ, NM, and TX. Hooters has select appetizers available for $4.15; customers should check the app for participating locations.
BOGO and Percentage-Based Discounts
Chuck E. Cheese’s offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on large cheese pizzas, valid Tuesday through Thursday. Fazoli’s provides a buy-one-get-one-free deal on baked spaghetti with the code “TAX25” at participating locations.
Cici’s Pizza offers adult buffets for just $4.15 with the purchase of a large drink in AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NE, NC, NM, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, and VA. Mountain Mike’s Pizza offers $3 off any large pizza using code 481658 or $8 off any two large pizzas using code 883457.
Jet’s Pizza offers a single topping, eight corner pizza for $10.99 using coupon code TAXES in AZ, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI. Hungry Howie’s offers a one-topping medium pizza for 15 cents with the purchase of a one-topping large pizza at regular menu price.
Corner Bakery offers two entrees for $10.40 from April 15-17, available only for dine-in in CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MD, NV, NJ, NM, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI. Farmer Boys offers two Breakfast Burritos or two Double Big Cheeses for $10.40 on Monday at participating locations in Arizona, California, and Nevada, with no coupon required.
Slim Chickens offers a Chick’s Meal for $5.99 on Tax Day, which includes three tenders, two pieces of Texas Toast, a side, and a medium drink. Tijuana Flats offers $5 burritos on Monday at all locations in IN, VA, NC, and FL. Rock Bottom Restaurant offers $5 off any $15 purchase.
Red Lobster offers a coupon for $5 off two dinner entrees or $3 off two lunch entrees, valid until April 22. BJ’s Brewhouse offers half off large pizzas on Tax Day for dine-in, take-out, or delivery at 209 locations in 29 states.
App-Based and Online Deals
Several deals require ordering through an app or website. Pizza Hut offers any large two-topping pizza for $5.99 with online carryout orders through Monday. 7-Eleven offers $10.40 off orders of $20 or more using the code “WRITEOFF” in the 7NOW Delivery app.
Bite Squad and Waitr offer no delivery fee with a $20 purchase using promo code TAXDAY19. Bite Squad serves AR, FL, HI, MN, MI, NC, ND, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, and WI. Waitr covers AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MI, MO, SC, TN, TX, and VA.
Applebee’s offers $1 margaritas through April 28 nationwide. Krispy Kreme offers a special where customers who purchase a dozen Original Glazed or assorted doughnuts get a second dozen for the price of sales tax. Online orders require the code “TAXBREAK” for the second dozen free. STK offers a signature cocktail for $10.40 all day.
Non-Food Promotions
While most Tax Day deals are food-related, some other businesses offer promotions. Staples provides free document shredding of up to 1 lb. with a coupon. National Parks offer free admission nationwide on Tax Day.
Important Considerations for Consumers
It is critical for consumers to understand the specific terms and conditions of each promotion. The provided information indicates that not all offers are available at all locations, and calling ahead is recommended. Many deals are tied to specific states or regions, as detailed in the descriptions above. For example, California Tortilla has locations in 8 states and the District of Columbia, while Farmer Boys is only in Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Loyalty program membership is often a prerequisite for certain offers, such as those from Dunkin’ Donuts, Paris Baguette, and Smoothie King. App-based deals require downloading and using specific mobile applications, like those for B.Good, 7-Eleven, and Krispy Kreme (for online orders).
Promotion dates can extend beyond April 15th. Applebee’s $1 margaritas are valid through April 28, Olive Garden’s “Buy One, Take One” deal is available through May 4, and B.Good’s free bowl/burger offer runs through April 20. Always check the expiration date and any blackout dates.
Conclusion
Tax Day presents a significant opportunity for U.S. consumers to access free food items, discounted meals, and special promotions from a wide variety of restaurant chains. The offers range from simple freebies like coffee and cookies to complete meals at symbolic prices like $10.40. Success in taking advantage of these deals requires careful attention to the specific requirements, which often include joining a loyalty program, using a mobile app, entering a promo code, or presenting a coupon. Geographic restrictions are common, and consumers should verify participation with their local establishment. By understanding the terms and planning ahead, consumers can effectively use these Tax Day promotions to reduce costs and enjoy a treat.