National Waffle Day 2024: Restaurant Deals, Free Waffles, and Discounts

National Waffle Day is celebrated annually on August 24 in the United States, commemorating the day in 1869 when Cornelius Swartwout was awarded the first U.S. patent for the waffle iron. This food holiday provides an opportunity for restaurants, retailers, and brands to offer special promotions, freebies, and discounts to consumers. Based on the available source material, numerous businesses across the country are participating with offers ranging from free waffles with purchases to percentage discounts on waffle makers and related products.

History and Significance of National Waffle Day

The modern waffle has origins tracing back to Ancient Greece, where flat cakes called obelios were cooked between hot metal plates. Throughout the Middle Ages, wafers were made using round plates often bearing religious imagery. The contemporary Belgian waffle, characterized by a crispy exterior and light, airy interior, was introduced to America during the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle and gained popularity at the 1964-1965 World’s Fair in New York. The holiday date of August 24 specifically marks the anniversary of the waffle iron's U.S. patent, highlighting the technological advancement that made waffle preparation more accessible.

Restaurant and Food Service Promotions

Various restaurant chains and food service providers are offering National Waffle Day deals. It is important for consumers to note that many offers are subject to participation by individual locations, have specific expiration dates, and may require a purchase or membership.

Waffle House

Waffle House is offering a free waffle to members of its Regulars Club. Members will receive a coupon in their email for a free waffle with one topping, which can be redeemed at participating locations. Additionally, Waffle House provides a standard offer of a free waffle for new members who sign up for their loyalty program.

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles is providing free waffles all week with the purchase of any "Hood Classic" meal order. This offer is valid at participating locations and expires on August 25.

Jamba Juice

Jamba Juice is celebrating National Waffle Day by offering double points on all waffle bowl purchases from August 23 through August 25. This promotion is available to members of the Jamba rewards program, which is free to join. Jamba offers several waffle bowl varieties, including Tropical Waffle Bowl, PB + Banana Waffle Bowl with Chocolate Hazelnut, Chocolate-Covered Pineapple Waffle Bowl, and Strawberry Blueberry Waffle Bowl. Points accumulated through the rewards program can be used for future discounts and freebies.

Fry the Coop (Chicago)

In Chicago, Fry the Coop is offering in-store only Swaffles for $5 on August 24. The deal is limited to two per person per transaction and is available at all store locations.

NORMS

NORMS is running a costume-based promotion on August 24. Customers dressed as a chicken, a waffle, or both can receive one free order of Chicken & Waffle with the purchase of one beverage from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at all locations. Members of the NORMS 24/7 Rewards program will also earn double points on waffle purchases.

Perkins

Perkins offers a BOGO Wednesday promotion for members of its E-Club. Members can get a free entrée with the purchase of an entrée plus two drinks. The E-Club can be joined via the Perkins website or by texting PERKS to 41208.

Comfort Inn by Choice Hotels

Comfort Inn is serving a plate of appreciation for first responders with free waffles. This offer is available at participating locations and ends on August 24. Additionally, nearly 100 participating Comfort hotels nationwide are inviting community service groups, including teachers, first responders, and volunteers, for a free hot breakfast featuring the brand's famous waffles throughout the month of August.

Hampton Inn

Hampton Inn is celebrating National Waffle Day during breakfast hours on August 24. The promotion is available at select Florida locations only.

Retail and Product Discounts

For consumers interested in making waffles at home, several retailers are offering discounts on waffle makers and waffle-related products.

Dash

Dash, a retailer of home kitchen appliances, is offering tiered discounts on waffle makers and accessories for National Waffle Day. The discount is automatically applied at checkout based on the purchase amount: - 10% off for $30 spent - 20% off for $50 spent - 30% off for $100 spent The promotion ends on August 25.

NatureBox

NatureBox is offering Mini Belgian Waffles for $3.49 for a limited time.

Yogen Früz

Yogen Früz has a Hong Kong Waffle available for $2.99 at participating locations. Restrictions may apply.

Eastern Standard Provisions

Eastern Standard Provisions is conducting a 48-hour sale on August 24 and 25, offering 30% off all waffle orders, including combo boxes. The waffles are described as Liège Belgian waffles handcrafted with real butter and pearl sugar imported from Belgium. The promo code WAFFLE22 is required to receive the discount.

Goldbelly

While Goldbelly does not have an official National Waffle Day deal, they offer a general promo code, GetInMyBELLY, which provides $15 off orders of $50 or more. This code can be used for waffle-related products such as dessert waffles or chicken and waffle kits.

Kashi

Kashi is hosting a pop-up event at the Showfields location in New York City, where visitors can try Kashi GO Blueberry waffles and 7-grain waffles with fresh fruit, nut butter, and syrup toppings for free. The event runs through September 5.

Food Delivery and Grocery Offers

Grubhub

Grubhub is offering a promotion of $10 off a purchase of $10 or more, while supplies last, in their app to create a waffle party. This promotion is tied to the TV show Severance. Grubhub has partnered with Apple TV+ to give waffle parties to everyone, and the promo code to get this deal was announced on Grubhub’s Twitter at 9 a.m. ET on August 24.

Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com is offering 25% off discounted gift certificates to a wide variety of restaurants for National Waffle Day. The promo code WAFFLES is required at checkout to receive the discount.

Other Promotions

Huddle House offers a free waffle every Wednesday with a $6+ entree purchase at participating locations. This is a recurring weekly promotion, not specific to National Waffle Day.

Important Considerations for Consumers

Consumers should be aware of the following when seeking National Waffle Day deals: - Participation and Location: Many offers are valid only at participating locations. It is advisable to call ahead or check the specific location's website before visiting. - Expiration Dates: Several promotions have specific end dates, such as August 24 or 25. Offers may not be available after the stated date. - Purchase Requirements: Some free waffles require the purchase of another item (e.g., an entree or meal). - Membership Requirements: Certain deals, like the Jamba Juice double points or the Waffle House free waffle, require enrollment in a rewards program. - Limited Quantities: Some offers, like the Grubhub promotion, are available while supplies last.

Conclusion

National Waffle Day 2024 presents a variety of opportunities for consumers to enjoy waffles at a discount or for free. The promotions span from restaurant freebies and discounted meals to retail discounts on waffle-making equipment and ingredients. Key participating brands include Waffle House, Jamba Juice, Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles, NORMS, Perkins, Dash, Eastern Standard Provisions, and Grubhub. To maximize benefits, consumers should verify offer details, including participation, location, expiration dates, and any required purchases or memberships, directly with the respective businesses or through their official websites and apps.