The transition from one year to the next is a prime time for restaurants and retailers to attract customers with special promotions, freebies, and deals. For U.S. consumers, this period—spanning New Year’s Eve on December 31 and New Year’s Day on January 1—offers a unique opportunity to enjoy discounted or complimentary food and beverages. Based on historical patterns and predicted offers for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons, numerous national chains are expected to roll out enticing promotions. These deals often include free items with purchase, significant discounts on specific menu items, BOGO (Buy One, Get One) offers, and exclusive in-app promotions for loyalty program members. This article compiles the available information on these anticipated freebies and deals, focusing on food and beverage offers, to help consumers plan their celebrations and first meals of the new year.
It is important to note that restaurant deals can vary by location and participation may not be universal. Consumers are always advised to call their local establishment to confirm participation before visiting. The offers listed below are based on predictions and past event data, as specific details for the upcoming holiday period may not yet be fully confirmed by all brands. The primary sources for this information include deal-focused websites that track seasonal promotions and predict future offers based on historical trends.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Promotional Landscape
New Year’s Eve, falling on December 31 each year, and New Year’s Day, on January 1, are key dates for restaurant promotions. Many national chains leverage these days to offer deals that encourage dining out, whether for a festive Eve celebration or a relaxed Day meal. These promotions often fall into several categories: freebies with a purchase, discounted or BOGO offers on specific menu items, and special promotions on beverages and desserts. The deals are designed to attract a wide range of diners looking to start the new year with savings.
For the 2025-2026 holiday season, specific deals have been announced for December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026. For the following year, 2026-2027, many offers are predicted based on the previous year’s events, with the understanding that prices, savings, and local participation may vary. Revisiting promotional posts as the dates approach is recommended, as deals can be added or modified as they are officially confirmed.
Confirmed and Predicted Food Freebies by Brand
Several national chains have a history of offering New Year’s promotions. Below is a breakdown of expected and confirmed deals from various restaurants and food retailers, organized for clarity.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is expected to offer multiple promotions for New Year’s Eve and Day. For the 2025-2026 season, 7-Eleven’s 7NOW Delivery service is set to provide in-app deals: on December 31, 2025, a $10 discount on orders of $20 or more using the code CHEERS, and on January 1, 2026, a 50% off discount using the code NYDAY. Additionally, participating Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits counters within 7-Eleven locations are serving BOGO chicken sandwiches and biscuits through January 1, 2026. Speedy Cafe, also within 7-Eleven, is offering $5 large one-topping pizzas through January 6, 2026. For 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members, there is a special offer of two pizza slices and a 20-ounce Coca-Cola for $5 at 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes locations on both December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026; this offer is valid through January 6, 2026.
For the 2026-2027 period, 7-Eleven is predicted to offer exclusive 7NOW Delivery in-app deals. Furthermore, 7-Eleven’s Raise the Roof locations are anticipated to have a BOGO promotion on chicken sandwiches and biscuits.
Baskin-Robbins
For New Year’s Eve 2025, Baskin-Robbins is offering a 31% discount on all scoops on December 31, 2025.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza has a two-part promotion for rewards members. For New Year’s Eve 2025, rewards members who spend $20 or more online or in-app by December 31, 2025, will have a free two-topping pizza offer loaded to their rewards account on January 1, 2026. Predictions for the 2026-2027 season suggest Blaze Pizza will offer rewards members an exclusive in-app offer for the New Year.
Burger King
For New Year’s Eve 2025, Burger King’s Royal Perks members can get a small coffee and a 4-piece Cini Minis for $3 through December 31, 2025. Looking ahead to 2026-2027, Burger King is expected to have a New Year’s offer for Royal Perks members.
Church’s Texas Chicken
A prediction for the 2026-2027 New Year’s period suggests Church’s Texas Chicken will likely offer free delivery.
Cinnabon
Cinnabon Rewards members can anticipate a deal on a coffee drink with a baked good purchase for the 2026-2027 New Year.
Crumbl
Crumbl is predicted to celebrate the New Year with a 6-pack of cookies for the price of a 4-pack during the 2026-2027 season.
Duffy’s Sports Grill
For New Year’s Day 2027, Duffy’s Sports Grill is predicted to offer brunch with drink deals on their Dixie Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
Fazoli’s
Fazoli’s is anticipated to offer a free whole pizza with the purchase of a Family Meal when using a promo code at checkout online or in-app for New Year’s in 2026.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
From December 29 to 31, 2026, Freddy’s is expected to offer discounted menu items to celebrate Freddy’s Snack Week and the New Year.
Gopuff
Gopuff FAM members are predicted to look for exclusive deals to ring in the New Year for the 2026-2027 season.
Hardee’s
Hardee’s My Rewards members can anticipate a free any-size fry or Hash Rounds with a purchase of $1 or more on December 31, 2026.
Huddle House
For New Year’s Day 2027, Huddle House will likely offer the Hangover Helper for free when a purchase is made on January 1.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is offering a free doughnut with any purchase for rewards members. This offer is mentioned in the context of New Year’s promotions, though a specific date for the 2025-2026 season is not provided in the source data. A prediction for 2026-2027 also suggests Krispy Kreme will be a source of free and cheap food for the New Year.
Starbucks
Starbucks is running a “Buy One, Get One Free” drink promo for app users, which is included in the list of New Year’s freebies.
Other New Year’s Deals and Freebies
Beyond restaurant-specific food offers, the New Year’s period also sees promotions from other retailers and services, though the focus here remains on food and beverage-related freebies and trials.
Subscription Service Trials
Subscription services like Audible and Headspace are noted as offering extended free trials to help consumers relax and reset during the New Year. While not a traditional food freebie, these trials represent a no-cost opportunity for consumers to explore new content. Audible offers audiobooks, and Headspace provides guided meditation, both of which can complement a New Year’s wellness focus.
Grocery and Retailer Deals
Grocery stores are also participating in the New Year’s deal season with BOGO deals and digital coupons. While specific brands are not named in the source data, the presence of these promotions indicates a broader opportunity for savings on food items at the grocery level.
Maximizing New Year’s Food Freebies
To take full advantage of these potential freebies and deals, consumers should consider a few strategic approaches. First, joining the loyalty programs or downloading the apps for favorite restaurants well in advance is crucial, as many of the best offers—like the Blaze Pizza or Burger King promotions—are exclusive to app users or rewards members. Second, verifying local participation is essential, as national chains often leave participation decisions to individual franchise owners. A quick phone call to the local store can prevent disappointment. Finally, keeping an eye on deal-tracking websites and the official social media or app channels of these brands as the New Year’s Eve and Day approach will provide the most up-to-date and accurate information, as some deals may be announced last-minute or modified.
Conclusion
The New Year’s holiday presents a valuable opportunity for U.S. consumers to enjoy food freebies and deals from a variety of national restaurant chains. Based on historical patterns and predicted offers for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons, brands like 7-Eleven, Baskin-Robbins, Blaze Pizza, Burger King, and Krispy Kreme are expected to offer promotions ranging from free items with purchase to significant discounts and BOGO deals. While specific details for the upcoming holiday are still emerging, the compiled information from deal-focused sources provides a reliable forecast of what consumers might expect. To ensure success, consumers are advised to confirm participation with local establishments, join relevant loyalty programs, and monitor official brand communications as the dates draw nearer. By planning ahead, savvy deal seekers can ring in the new year with festive and affordable dining experiences.