Friendlys Restaurant Promotions Free Ice Cream Meals And Special Offers For Customers Veterans And Rewards Members

Friendly's, a family restaurant chain known for its ice cream and American cuisine, has a history of offering promotional freebies and special offers to customers. These promotions have included free ice cream cones, signature milkshakes, and complimentary meals for military veterans. This article examines the various freebies and promotional offers available from Friendly's as documented in multiple sources.

Friendly's Ice Cream Freebies

Friendly's has frequently offered free ice cream products as part of promotional events. One of their most notable promotions was the free Fribble giveaway. The Fribble, described by Friendly's as "their legendary, super-thick, soft-serve shake," was available in multiple flavors including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or coffee. According to a 2012 promotion, customers could receive a free Fribble at all Friendly's locations on a Saturday between noon and 5 p.m. This promotion was implemented as a way to thank loyal customers, particularly after the chain had emerged from bankruptcy and closed approximately 100 restaurants. At that time, Friendly's operated in 16 states with nearly 400 locations.

Friendly's also hosted an annual Free Ice Cream Day, which first debuted in 2008 and continued in subsequent years. During this event, customers could receive a free one-scoop dish or cone of any of Friendly's 26 ice cream flavors between noon and 5 p.m. at participating restaurants. The promotion proved popular, with the 505-unit chain giving away more than 300,000 cones during the inaugural event. To increase participation, Friendly's promoted the giveaway on social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter, with the goal of setting a new record for free ice cream distribution.

The chain has also offered birthday freebies to customers, although specific details about eligibility requirements and frequency were not fully detailed in the source materials. One source mentions the "return the Friendly's birthday freebie offer," suggesting these promotions may have been periodically available to customers.

For National Ice Cream Day, Friendly's has provided special offers to customers, including 90-cent single-scoop ice cream cones or dishes available either in-store or to-go. During these promotions, Rewards members could receive an even better deal—a free cone or dish of ice cream on Sunday. The company advised customers to check with their local Friendly's restaurant for specific timing, as the freebies were typically available during a 2-hour window.

Military Appreciation Offers

Friendly's has demonstrated appreciation for military service members through special promotions, particularly around Veterans Day. The restaurant has offered complimentary meals to veterans and active military personnel with valid military identification or honorable discharge cards. One such promotion occurred on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11th, 2017.

The military appreciation promotion included two meal options:

For breakfast, veterans and active military could receive the Big-Two-Do® Breakfast, which allowed for customization. Customers could choose two slices of Brioche French toast, two buttermilk pancakes, or two slices of toast; two strips of crispy applewood-smoked bacon or two sausage links; and two made-to-order farm fresh eggs. The meal also included a fresh cup of coffee.

For lunch or dinner, the restaurant offered a complimentary All-American Burger with fries and a beverage. The All-American Burger featured a fresh Big Beef® patty topped with sliced tomato, crisp lettuce, red onion, and a dash of mayo on a buttery brioche roll.

This military appreciation promotion was valid for dine-in guests only at all Friendly's locations. The offer was limited to one breakfast or lunch/dinner entrée per person. Friendly's emphasized that the promotion was part of their commitment to giving back to the community and recognizing the men and women who serve the country.

Friendly's Rewards Program Benefits

Friendly's offers a rewards program that provides additional benefits to members, including special promotions and free items. While specific details about the rewards program structure and enrollment process were not fully detailed in the source materials, it was noted that Rewards members could receive a free cone or dish of ice cream on Sunday during certain promotions.

The rewards program appears to be designed to incentivize repeat business and provide exclusive offers to loyal customers. During National Ice Cream Day promotions, for example, regular customers could purchase single-scoop cones or dishes for 90 cents, while Rewards members received theirs for free.

The company has also used its rewards program to distribute special offers during other promotional periods. However, the source materials did not provide comprehensive information about how customers can join the rewards program, what other benefits it offers, or whether there are any membership fees or purchase requirements to maintain rewards status.

Promotion Terms and Conditions

Friendly's promotional offers typically come with specific terms and conditions that customers should be aware of. These terms vary depending on the particular promotion but generally include:

Time restrictions: Most ice cream freebies and special offers are available during specific hours, typically between noon and 5 p.m. on designated days. Some promotions, like the birthday freebies and Veterans Day offers, may have different timeframes or be available for the entire day.

Location availability: While many promotions are advertised as being available at "all Friendly's locations," it's important to note that restaurant chains may have franchisees who choose not to participate in certain promotions. Additionally, the number of participating locations can change over time, as evidenced by Friendly's closure of approximately 100 restaurants during a bankruptcy period.

Eligibility requirements: Some promotions have specific eligibility criteria. For example, the Veterans Day offer required valid military identification or an honorable discharge card. The rewards program offers were limited to program members.

Limitations: Most offers are limited to one per customer. The military appreciation promotion specifically stated it was limited to one breakfast or lunch/dinner entrée per person.

Dine-in requirements: Some promotions, such as the military appreciation meals, were valid only for dine-in guests and not available for takeout or delivery.

Purchase requirements: The source materials did not indicate that any of the ice cream freebies required a purchase, though other restaurant promotions sometimes have minimum purchase requirements to qualify for free items.

Conclusion

Friendly's has demonstrated a commitment to offering promotional freebies and special offers to various customer segments. Their ice cream promotions have included signature Fribbles, free single-scoop cones or dishes during special events, and birthday freebies. The chain has also shown appreciation for military service members through complimentary meals on Veterans Day, offering either a customizable breakfast or an All-American Burger with fries and a beverage. Additionally, Friendly's Rewards program members have access to exclusive offers, including free ice cream items.

When taking advantage of Friendly's promotions, customers should be mindful of the specific terms and conditions, including time restrictions, location availability, and eligibility requirements. While many promotions are advertised as being available at all locations, it's always advisable to check with your local Friendly's restaurant to confirm participation and any location-specific variations.

As a restaurant chain that has faced financial challenges including bankruptcy and restaurant closures, Friendly's appears to use these promotional offers as a way to attract customers, show appreciation, and build loyalty. Whether through free ice cream on special days, complimentary meals for veterans, or exclusive rewards for members, Friendly's continues to provide value to its customer base through these promotional offerings.

Sources

1. Friendly's Fribble Freebie Announcement
2. Friendly's Ice Cream Free Promotion
3. National Ice Cream Day Deals
4. Friendly's Birthday Freebie
5. Free Ice Cream Day Promotion
6. Veterans Day Free Meal Offer