New Years Day 2019 Free Meals Drinks And Promotions Across The Country

The transition into a new year brings with it numerous opportunities for consumers to take advantage of special promotions and free offers. Many businesses use New Year's Day as a chance to thank customers and attract new patrons with exclusive deals. This guide examines the freebies, meal deals, and promotional offers available specifically on New Year's Day 2019, based on verified information from participating businesses across the United States.

New Year's Eve Celebrations and Free Offers

New Year's Eve 2018 marked the beginning of a season of special promotions that extended into New Year's Day 2019. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is particularly significant for businesses offering deals, as it represents one of the busiest times for consumer spending and celebration.

National Champagne Day coincided with New Year's Eve in 2019, providing an opportunity for establishments to feature special promotions. In Nevada, PT's Tavern restaurants participated in the celebration by offering free champagne to guests at the stroke of midnight. This offer provided a festive way for patrons to ring in the new year without additional cost.

For those concerned about transportation safety during New Year's Eve celebrations, AAA implemented its holiday safe ride program. Through this initiative, participating AAA Clubs provided free rides for both members and nonmembers in many parts of the country from New Year's Eve through January 2, 2019. This service addressed the heightened risk of impaired driving during the holiday season, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies as one of the deadliest times on the roads.

Restaurant Deals and Free Meals

Numerous restaurant chains offered special promotions to celebrate New Year's Day 2019. These deals varied by location and required verification of participation before visiting. The following establishments provided notable offers:

Bahama Breeze featured a Caribbean-inspired New Year's Eve celebration with Legendary Island Cocktails priced at $2.19 from 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve until close. The special menu included options such as the Killer Bee, Painkiller, Goombay Smash, Zombie, and Dark 'N Stormy cocktails. As with many location-specific promotions, the offers and times could vary by individual restaurant.

Baskin-Robbins participated in the New Year's celebration by offering regular and kids-sized scoops of ice cream for $1.50 on January 1, 2019. This promotion was available at participating locations nationwide, providing a sweet treat to start the new year.

Bob Evans implemented a special two-day promotion beginning at 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve and continuing through January 1, 2019. The restaurant offered two select adult entrees for $9.99 each, with the additional benefit of free kids meals with each adult purchase. This family-friendly deal aimed to attract customers during the holiday period when many families gather for meals.

Burger King partnered with DoorDash to offer a free order of Chicken Fries with qualifying purchases. Customers who spent $5 on DoorDash between December 31, 2018, and January 6, 2019, could receive the free Chicken Fries by adding them to their cart and using the promo code NEWYEAR. This promotion was limited to the first 30,000 orders and was valid only for participating Burger King locations within DoorDash's delivery zones. The offer did not apply to pickup or dine-in services.

Chili's Grill & Bar introduced its first $5 margarita of the month for 2019 on New Year's Day. The featured drink, the Cherry Blossom, had been a fan favorite from 2018. This margarita was made with Lunazul tequila, St-Germain, fresh sour, and grenadine, providing a refreshing option for customers looking to celebrate the new year.

Cumberland Farms provided a practical New Year's Day promotion by offering a free cup of coffee, either hot or iced, from 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve through 5 a.m. on January 1. This offer helped customers who were celebrating late into the night or starting their New Year's Day early with a complimentary caffeine boost.

Ending Promotions and Limited-Time Offers

December 31, 2018, marked the final opportunity for customers to take advantage of several limited-time promotions that would not extend into the new year. Applebee's and Chili's both ended their festive December drink specials on this date, creating a sense of urgency for customers who wanted to experience these seasonal offerings before they disappeared.

IHOP concluded its special Grinch menu promotion on December 31, 2018, along with its kids eat free offer. These holiday-themed promotions had been popular during the Christmas season and represented the chain's effort to capitalize on the festive period with menu items and family-friendly deals.

Many national restaurant chains also used the end of December as a cutoff date for gift card promotions. These programs often included freebies or bonus value that customers could utilize in 2019, making December 31 a significant date for consumers looking to maximize their benefits before the promotions expired.

January Freebies and Giveaways

The first day of 2019 also brought opportunities for consumers to enter free giveaways and contests. January's First Friday Freebie contest offered participants a chance to win a 6½" × 3" hanging wooden sign with a rustic design intended to serve as a reminder of what matters during the months ahead. The sign complemented a package of three scented sachets for the home from Lifescapes, featuring the Sea Salt & Driftwood scent to help make homes feel fresh as the new year began.

This giveaway acknowledged the challenging events of 2020 (though the source material was written before 2020) and encouraged recipients to simplify, appreciate what they have, and dream of better days ahead. The promotion aligned with the tradition of making resolutions and setting intentions at the start of a new year.

Important Considerations for Freebie Seekers

When planning to take advantage of New Year's Day promotions and freebies, consumers should keep several important considerations in mind:

Participation in these promotions varied by location, even within the same chain of businesses. Many offers were available only at participating locations, meaning that not every franchise or store location necessarily honored the deals. This variability made it essential for consumers to check with their nearest establishment before making plans to visit.

Some promotions required specific conditions to be met, such as making a minimum purchase or using a particular service. For example, Burger King's free Chicken Fries required a $5 minimum spend through DoorDash and was limited to the first 30,000 orders. These limitations helped businesses manage the cost and volume of their promotional offerings.

While not specifically mentioned for New Year's Day promotions, many veteran-specific deals require proof of military service. For other promotions, customers might need to show identification or provide contact information to receive their free items or discounts.

Conclusion

New Year's Day 2019 offered numerous opportunities for consumers to enjoy free and discounted products and services across the country. From restaurant meals and ice cream treats to coffee and cocktail specials, businesses provided various ways for customers to celebrate the start of the new year without breaking the budget. Additionally, transportation safety initiatives like AAA's free ride program helped ensure that celebrations could be enjoyed responsibly.

For those seeking to maximize their benefits during this time, planning ahead and verifying participation at local locations proved essential. Many promotions were time-sensitive or had limited availability, making it important for consumers to act quickly when opportunities arose.

As with any promotional period, the key to taking full advantage of New Year's Day freebies lies in staying informed, verifying details with specific locations, and understanding the terms and conditions of each offer. By doing so, consumers could make the most of these special deals while welcoming the new year.

Sources

1. Free coffee, car rides and more deals on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
2. Free coffee, doughnuts, cheeseburgers and more: How to fill 2019 with freebies and deals
3. Wishes and freebies for a bright new year