National French Fry Day is an annual food holiday dedicated to the popular side dish, where participating restaurants offer special promotions, freebies, and discounts to customers. The holiday has evolved from a fixed date to a dynamic event, now consistently observed on the second Friday in July. This change was influenced by a petition from restaurant chains Checkers & Rally's, who advocated for a "Fry Day" to always fall on a Friday. For 2026, the celebration is scheduled for Friday, July 10. The event typically features a mix of offers, including free fries with a purchase, free fries for loyalty program members, and discounted items, though specific terms and local participation can vary. Many promotions require a purchase, while some, such as certain McDonald's offers, are available without any purchase necessary.
The availability of these deals often depends on joining a restaurant's rewards program or using its mobile app. For instance, many national chains like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's require customers to claim offers through their respective apps. Eligibility for these programs is generally open to U.S. residents, but participants must often create an account and may need to provide an email address and agree to the brand's terms of service. Geographic availability can also differ, as some offers are valid at participating locations only. Consumers are advised to check the specific terms for each promotion, as offers, prices, and local participation may vary. The following sections detail the specific promotions available from various restaurant chains based on information from past and projected National French Fry Day events.
McDonald's
McDonald's consistently participates in National French Fry Day with a straightforward offer accessible through its mobile application. According to multiple sources, McDonald's provides free medium fries to app users. For the 2025 event, the offer was a free medium fry with the purchase of $1 or more. For the 2026 prediction, the offer is expected to be a free medium fry with an in-app purchase of $1 or more. A notable detail is that, in some instances, McDonald's offers free fries with no purchase necessary for app users. Loyalty program members may also have opportunities to receive larger fry sizes at select locations. The promotion is typically valid only on the holiday itself, July 11 for 2025 and July 10 for 2026, and must be claimed through the McDonald's mobile app.
Burger King
Burger King's National French Fry Day promotion is available to members of its Royal Perks loyalty program. For the 2025 event, Royal Perks members could get a free order of fries of any size with a purchase of $1 or more. The offer was scheduled to appear automatically in members' rewards accounts upon logging in on the holiday. Some locations may also feature bonus offers, such as limited-time bundles. The 2026 promotion is expected to be similar, with Royal Perks members receiving a free any-size fry with a $1 purchase. The offer is typically valid for a limited time, and the specific terms for 2026 have not been finalized, but the pattern from previous years suggests a similar structure.
Wendy's
Wendy's celebrates National French Fry Day by offering a free fry to rewards members who place a mobile order through the Wendy's app. For the 2025 event, rewards members could receive a free any-size fry with any in-app purchase. The 2026 prediction follows a similar pattern, with an expected offer of a free any-size fry with an in-app purchase. Wendy's fries are described as natural-cut, skin-on fries sprinkled with sea salt. The promotion is typically available only on the holiday and requires the use of the Wendy's mobile app and a rewards account.
Arby's
Arby's offers a National French Fry Day promotion to its rewards members that extends beyond the holiday itself. For the 2025 event, rewards members who purchased a Cheesesteak online would receive a free order of fries of any size on their next visit. The free fry was valid for seven days and the overall offer was valid through August 31, 2025. A similar promotion is projected for 2026, with rewards members who buy a Cheesesteak online likely to receive a free any-size fry on their next visit, valid for a limited redemption period. This promotion requires an Arby's rewards account and an online purchase of a specific item.
Carl's Jr.
Carl's Jr. offers a free fry to its rewards members on National French Fry Day. For the 2025 event, rewards members could get a free large order of fries or waffle fries with any purchase made online, in-app, or in-store on July 11. The 2026 prediction indicates a similar offer: a free any-size natural cut or waffle fry with an online, in-app, or in-store purchase on July 10. Participation requires a Carl's Jr. rewards account, and the promotion is valid only on the holiday.
Checkers & Rally's
Checkers & Rally's has a unique promotion for National French Fry Day. For the 2025 event, customers could bring in a recent French fry purchase from a competitor and receive a free large fry with no purchase necessary at Checkers & Rally's. This offer does not require a rewards membership or an app download, making it one of the most accessible promotions. The specific details for the 2026 event have not been released, but based on the 2025 offer, it is a notable promotion that rewards customers for choosing Checkers & Rally's over a competitor.
Del Taco
Del Taco's National French Fry Day offer is available to members of its Del Yeah! loyalty program. For the 2025 event, Del Yeah! members could get a free regular fry with any online, in-app, or in-store purchase on July 11. The promotion requires a Del Yeah! rewards account and a purchase, which can be made through various channels. The 2026 details have not been specified, but the promotion is expected to follow a similar structure for loyalty members.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box provides a free fry to members of its Jack Pack Rewards program on National French Fry Day. For the 2025 event, Jack Pack Rewards members could enjoy a free fry of any size or shape with any in-app purchase. The offer is valid only on July 11 and requires the Jack in the Box app and a rewards account. The 2026 promotion is predicted to be similar, with a free fry available with an in-app purchase for rewards members.
Smashburger
Smashburger's National French Fry Day promotion is available with any purchase and requires a promo code. For the 2025 event, customers could get a free order of fries—options included Smashfries, Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, or Scorchin’ Fries—with any purchase of $1 or more made online, in-app, or in-store. The promo code FRYDAY25 was required at checkout. The 2026 prediction indicates a similar offer, with a free fry available with any purchase when using a promo code at checkout. This promotion is valid only on the holiday.
Sonic
Sonic offers a free fry or tots with any purchase on National French Fry Day. For the 2025 event, customers could receive a free medium fry or tots with any purchase on July 11. The 2026 prediction is for a free medium fry or tots with any purchase on July 10. The promotion is typically valid only on the holiday and does not require a rewards membership, though it does require a purchase.
Wahlburgers
Wahlburgers' National French Fry Day promotion requires a minimum spend and a promo code. For the 2025 event, customers could get a free order of fries when spending $10 or more and using promo code FRYDAY25 at checkout online or in the app. For in-store purchases, customers had to mention "Fry Day" when ordering. The 2026 prediction follows a similar pattern, with a free order of fries available when spending $10 or more and using a promo code at checkout online or in the app. In-store, mentioning "Fry Day" may be required.
Other Participating Chains
Several other restaurants are expected to participate in National French Fry Day with various promotions:
- Beef 'O' Brady's: For the 2025 event, customers could save 50% off a basket of fries on July 11 at participating locations. This is a single-use offer that cannot be combined with other deals.
- City Barbecue: In 2025, customers could enjoy a free French fry or Three Cheese Mac & Cheese when redeeming an offer online or in the app.
- Dog Haus: Rewards members could get a free fry with a purchase of $10 or more in 2025.
- Farmer Boys: For the 2025 event, an in-app purchase of $5 or more would result in an order of fries for $1.
- Fatburger: In 2025, a free order of Fat or Skinny Fries was available with any Fatburger sandwich or burger purchase when ordering online and using promo code FryDay25 at checkout. This deal was valid from July 9–13.
- Krystal: In 2025, a free small fry was available with a $10 or more spend online or in the app using promo code FRYMEUP at checkout.
- Penn Station: For the 2025 event, a free small fry was available with the purchase of any sub from July 11–13, 2025. The 2026 prediction is for a similar offer: a free small fry with any sub purchase.
- Wayback Burgers: For the 2026 prediction, Wayback Rewards members can look forward to a $1 regular-size fry (regularly $2.99).
- Whataburger: The 2026 prediction is for a discounted medium fry when ordering online or in-app between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. (local time) on July 10.
- White Castle: The 2026 prediction is for a free Cheese Fries with any order when using a coupon or promo code during checkout online, in-app, or in-store.
Conclusion
National French Fry Day is a significant promotional event for U.S. consumers, featuring a wide array of freebies and deals from numerous restaurant chains. The promotions are predominantly available through restaurant loyalty programs and mobile apps, with many requiring a purchase to redeem the offer. Key participating chains include McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Arby's, Carl's Jr., Checkers & Rally's, Del Taco, Jack in the Box, Smashburger, and Sonic, among others. The holiday is consistently observed on the second Friday in July, with the 2026 event scheduled for July 10. Consumers interested in these offers should join the relevant rewards programs, download the necessary apps, and carefully review the specific terms and conditions for each promotion, as details can vary by location and are subject to change. The information provided is based on past events and predictions for 2026, and final offers should be verified with the official brands closer to the date.