Fast Food Freebies to Get You Through 2024

Here’s where to snag a free bite during the holiday season

Abigail Seaberg,

AARP

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Published November 17, 2023

/ Updated November 21, 2024

a hand is reaching for fries with a burger on the table

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Many of us will be reaching for our wallets more often over the holidays. Plus it's a busy time of year — who has time to cook! If you're looking for ways to offset the hectic and expensive shopping season, check out the following deals from some of your favorite fast-food chains. Maybe a free pizza, sandwich or donut will be just the thing to help you power through the rest of the year.

Dunkin'

If a warm, gooey donut is what you're craving, Dunkin' enjoy the return of Free Donut Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, Dunkin' rewards members can get a free classic donut with any beverage purchase through Dec. 25.

Plus, check out the Dunkin’ rewards app for new offers every week through the rest of the year. Click here to find your closest location.

Domino's

If a free pizza will cure your holiday stress, opt in to Domino’s Emergency Pizza program. From now through Jan. 19, you can earn a free medium, two-topping pizza after placing any qualifying order. Just log in to your Domino's Rewards account, place an online delivery order that meets your local store’s delivery minimum or a digital carryout order that is $7.99 or more and claim your free pizza on the Domino's Tracker page or your order confirmation email within seven days. You’ll then have 30 days to redeem your Emergency Pizza via the "My Deals & Rewards" page on your Domino's rewards account. Note that timed orders will not count as qualifying purchases for this program, and only one free pizza can be earned per Domino's account.

Visit this link to find a Domino's near you.

McDonald's

Do you head toward the golden arches of McDonald's for your fast food fill? If so, check out the following deals from the classic chain:

Score a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets for $1 at participating restaurants from now through Dec. 2. You can claim this deal on the McDonald’s app up to once a week.
Take advantage of McDonald's Free Fries Fridays, and get free medium fries with a $1 minimum purchase every Friday from now through the end of the year when you order with the McDonald’s app.
Use the DoorDash delivery app to get free hash browns during breakfast or a free 6-piece Chicken McNuggets during the rest of the day with a $15 minimum purchase. • Order with DoorDash from Dec. 5 – Dec. 9 to get free hash browns during breakfast or a free McCrispy or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets during the rest of the day with a $15 minimum purchase.
Use DoorDash to get a free Big Mac with a $15 minimum purchase from Dec. 20 – Dec. 24.
Get a free 10-piece Chicken McNuggets with a $15 minimum order from Dec. 27 – Dec. 31 on DoorDash.
Use the Grubhub delivery app to score a free Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets with a $15 minimum purchase every weekend (Friday to Sunday) between now and Dec. 31.
Order your McDonald's with Uber Eats for a buy-one-get-one-free deal on medium fries between now and Dec. 15.

Find your local McDonald's here.

SONIC Drive-In

SONIC Drive-In is offering a few deals throughout the rest of November and December. Check out the following offers:

Sip on half-priced shakes in any size and flavor on every Monday of November and December.
Enjoy half-priced classic SONIC Cheeseburgers after 5 p.m. when you order online or via the SONIC app any Tuesday in November and December.
Snag a free Footlong Quarter Pound Chili Cheese Coney when you buy one on any Thursday in November and December.

Find your local SONIC here.

Baskin-Robbins

Ice cream lovers can order from Baskin-Robbins online or via their app during Cyber Weekend for $5 off orders of $15 or more (pre-tax). Just use code CHILL at checkout. This offer will last from Nov. 29 – Dec. 2.

Locate your nearest Baskin-Robbins here.

Whataburger

Whataburger customers have a variety of deals to choose from this holiday season:

From Nov. 20 – Nov. 26, Whataburger rewards members can cash in on a free chicken entrée (the Whatachick'n, Spicy Whatachick'n, 3 pc chicken strip or WhataWings) when they buy a medium fry and medium drink.
Whataburger rewards members can score a free 16-ounce iced coffee when they buy one from Nov. 27 – Dec. 3.
Whataburger rewards members can get a free Patty Melt or Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich when they purchase a medium fry and medium drink from Dec. 4 – Dec 10.
From Dec. 11 - Dec. 17, Whataburger rewards members can redeem a free small shake when they buy a medium fries. Flavor options include their all-new white chocolate peppermint shake, as well as vanilla, vanilla malt, strawberry, strawberry malt, chocolate and chocolate malt shakes.

See if there's a Whataburger near you here.

Shake Shack

Shake Shack is offering “FryDays” every Friday from now through Dec. 20. Just order at least $10 worth of food and get the Classic Fries for free. This deal is available to redeem via the Shake Shack app, online or in-Shack on the Kiosk with the code “FRYDAY.”

Find a Shake Shack near you.

Arby's

If you’re craving a sandwich after online shopping on Dec. 2, consider a trip to Arby’s. Arby's rewards members can enjoy a Cyber Monday deal of 50 percent off any Arby's Sandwich. Note that delivery orders and gift card payments will not qualify.

Check out if there's an Arby’s near you at this link.

Subway

Sandwich lovers might also want to visit Subway this holiday season for their $6.99 meal deal. Between now and Dec. 26, customers can get a 6-inch sub, a 20-ounce fountain drink and chips or two regular cookies for $6.99. All you need to do is visit your local Subway or place an order via Subway.com or the Subway app with the promo code 699MEAL.

See where your closest Subway is here.

Raising Cane's

Raising Cane's rewards members have two great deals to look forward to this holiday season:

From Nov. 25 – Nov. 26, Caniac Club members can get a free Box Combo when they buy one. You must verify your rewards member email address by Nov. 25 to receive this offer.
From Dec. 9 – Dec. 12, Caniac Club Members can get a free side of Texas toast, no purchase necessary. You must verify your rewards member email address by Dec. 8 to receive this offer.

Both offers can be redeemed by swiping their Caniac Club Card, scanning their QR code within the mobile app or placing an order online.

Locate your nearest Raising Cane’s here.

El Pollo Loco

Thinking you’ll have a taco craving this holiday season? Check out El Pollo Loco’s ongoing Taco Tuesday deal. Through Dec. 31, El Pollo Loco customers can order any two tacos in-store or online for $5 every Tuesday. You can also add chips, salsa and a regular drink for just $2.50 more. If you’re a Loco rewards member, you can also cash in on an upgraded version of this deal with any three tacos for $5.

Visit this link to find a location near you.

Habit Burger & Grill

Habit Burger & Grill is offering a wide variety of BOGO deals this holiday season. Check out their social media pages every Sunday from now through December for a promo code to enter on the Habit app under the “My Offers” tab before placing your qualifying order. Interested in a preview of the buy-one-get-one offers to come? Check out the deals below:

From Nov. 17 – Nov. 23, get a Chicken Club free when you buy one with promo code “CLUCKIN.”
From Nov. 24 – Nov. 30, get any side free when you buy one. The promo code for this offer will be revealed on Nov. 24 via Habit's social feeds.

Habit Burger & Grill is nationwide, but this chain has most of its locations in California. Click here to see if there’s a restaurant near you.

Teriyaki Madness

The fast-casual Asian restaurant chain with more than 160 locations nationwide is offering customers a fun way to celebrate National Chicken Teriyaki Day on Dec. 11. Become a Mad rewards member by Dec. 10 to receive an in-app offer on Dec. 11 for a free junior or regular chicken teriyaki bowl with a purchase of any regular or large bowl.

See if there's a Teriyaki Madness near you here.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is also offering some sweet deals this holiday season:

From Nov. 29 – Nov. 31, loyalty members can score $5 off a single purchase of $15 or more on the app.
On Dec. 16, loyalty members can snag a free Mini Sundae, Concrete, malt or shake with a purchase of $5 or more on the app.
From Dec. 20 – Dec. 31, loyalty members can get one free regular fry with an order of $5 or more on the app.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has more than 500 locations nationwide. See which spot is nearest you at this link.

Please note some of the aforementioned promotions may vary from location to location. Don’t hesitate to call your local joint or visit the chain’s rewards app to double check on the availability of these tasty deals.

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Abigail Seaberg is a freelance journalist based in San Diego. She covers subjects as diverse as oncology research, local news, celebrity updates, and health and wellness topics.