National Lemonade Day, observed annually on August 20, presents an opportunity for consumers across the United States to enjoy refreshing beverages through a variety of promotional offers. In 2025, numerous restaurant chains and food brands are participating with deals ranging from completely free lemonade to discounted purchases and charitable donations. This guide details the specific promotions, eligibility requirements, and participating brands based on information from the provided sources. The offers primarily involve in-store, online, and mobile app transactions, with several brands supporting the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding childhood cancer research.
Participating Brands and Specific Offers
The following brands have been identified in the source material as offering promotions on or around August 20, 2025. It is important to note that availability may vary by location, and some offers are contingent on specific actions, such as making a purchase or joining a membership program.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s has a long-standing partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, having raised over $16 million for childhood cancer research. For National Lemonade Day 2025, the brand’s promotion focuses on supporting ALSF through customer purchases. - Offer Details: Customers can support ALSF by purchasing the new Rockin’ Poppin’ Strawberry Lemonade, with 50 cents from each beverage sold being donated to the foundation. - Additional Donation Methods: Customers may also contribute directly by purchasing digital lemons for $1 or $5 donations through the Applebee’s website or mobile app. Furthermore, donations can be made by buying an Applebee’s gift card online or in-restaurant.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is offering a free beverage with a purchase requirement during a specific time window on National Lemonade Day. - Offer Details: Customers can receive a free lemonade with any purchase of $10 or more. This offer is valid on August 20, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. - Eligible Beverages: The free drink includes standard lemonade, fifty-fifty lemonades (a blend of organic iced tea and housemade lemonade), and other iced tea flavors.
Raising Cane’s
This promotion is exclusively available to members of the Raising Cane’s loyalty program. - Eligibility: Only Caniac Club members are eligible for a free lemonade on August 20, 2025. The offer is valid for one day only. - Membership Information: Customers who are not already members can sign up for the Caniac Club by obtaining a card at a local Raising Cane’s location and registering it on the brand’s website to access this and future deals.
Hot Dog on a Stick
This chain is providing a bundled offer that includes a free food item with the purchase of a lemonade. - Offer Details: From August 20 to August 25, 2025, customers who purchase a frozen or flavored lemonade in a regular or large size will receive a free hot dog or cheese on a stick. - Redemption Methods: The deal is available in-store. An online promotion is also available using the code LEMONADEDAY24.
Corner Bakery Cafe
Corner Bakery Cafe is offering a discounted lemonade with a portion of proceeds donated to charity. - Offer Details: Customers can purchase a regular-sized lemonade for $2. From each sale, $1 is donated to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. - Charitable Context: The foundation is described as a nonprofit organization focused on researching children’s cancer.
Chick-fil-A
The source material indicates that while Chick-fil-A as a corporation has not made an official National Lemonade Day announcement, individual branch locations may be participating. - Reported Offer: Several branches are reportedly giving away free medium lemonades to customers who place an order through the mobile drive-through. - Verification Requirement: Consumers are advised to check with their local Chick-fil-A to confirm participation before attempting to redeem this offer.
Charley’s Cheesesteaks
This brand is offering a free lemonade with any purchase. - Offer Details: Customers who buy any item at a Charley’s Cheesesteaks location on August 20, 2025, can request a free lemonade. - Flavor Options: The free drink is not limited to traditional lemon flavor; customers may choose from the brand’s real fruit lemonades.
Salad & Go
Salad & Go’s promotion requires a purchase and applies to both in-store and online orders. - Offer Details: After purchasing any item, customers are eligible for a free lemonade on August 20, 2025. - Online Redemption: To receive the free lemonade on online orders, customers must use the code LemonadeDay.
Additional Context: National Lemonade Day
According to the sources, National Lemonade Day is an American tradition that was historically observed in May but has since moved to August to align with the summer season and the back-to-school period. The holiday encourages the enjoyment of lemonade, often through community stands or homemade preparations, but also through commercial promotions.
Important Considerations for Consumers
When seeking to redeem these offers, consumers should be aware of the following factors derived from the source material: - Geographic and Location Variability: Offers, particularly those from Chick-fil-A, are subject to individual franchisee decisions. It is crucial to verify participation with a specific location. - Time-Sensitive Offers: Many deals are valid only on August 20, 2025 (National Lemonade Day), with some extending to August 25 (Hot Dog on a Stick). Shake Shack’s offer is limited to a 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. window. - Purchase Requirements: Several promotions require a minimum purchase (Shake Shack, Charley’s Cheesesteaks, Salad & Go) or the purchase of a specific item (Applebee’s, Hot Dog on a Stick, Corner Bakery Cafe). The Raising Cane’s offer requires membership in the Caniac Club. - Digital vs. In-Store Redemption: Some deals are exclusively in-store, while others can be redeemed online or via a mobile app. Codes (e.g., LEMONADEDAY24 for Hot Dog on a Stick, LemonadeDay for Salad & Go) are required for online orders. - Charitable Component: Applebee’s and Corner Bakery Cafe are directly supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through their National Lemonade Day promotions, allowing customers to contribute to childhood cancer research while making a purchase.
Conclusion
National Lemonade Day 2025 offers U.S. consumers a variety of ways to enjoy lemonade through promotional deals from well-known restaurant chains. The available offers include free lemonades with purchases, discounted beverage prices, and opportunities to support charitable causes. However, each promotion comes with specific terms, including time constraints, membership requirements, and location-dependent availability. Consumers interested in these deals should carefully review the eligibility rules and verify offer details with participating locations before visiting. The strong association with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation across several brands underscores the holiday’s potential for community and charitable engagement alongside commercial promotions.