Einstein Bros Bagels 2018 National Bagel Day Celebration Five Days Of Free Bagels And Special Offers

National Bagel Day in 2018 provided bagel enthusiasts with multiple opportunities to enjoy free treats and special deals. While the holiday occurs annually, the celebrations and promotions vary by year. In 2018, Einstein Bros. Bagels took center stage by extending the celebration beyond a single day, offering a week-long promotion for loyal customers. This article examines the specific freebies and special offers available during the 2018 National Bagel Day celebration, focusing on Einstein Bros. Bagels' five-day extravaganza and related promotions.

Einstein Bros. Bagels' Five-Day Bagel Extravaganza

In 2018, National Bagel Day was celebrated on Friday, February 9th. Rather than limiting the celebration to just one day, Einstein Bros. Bagels transformed the occasion into a five-day event running from February 9th to February 13th. During this period, the chain offered a special promotion for members of their Shmear Society loyalty program.

The promotion provided existing members and new sign-ups with a free bagel and smear every day throughout the five-day celebration. To participate, customers needed to be members of the Shmear Society, which is Einstein Bros. Bagels' loyalty program. The free offer was available at participating locations across the United States.

New customers interested in taking advantage of the promotion could join the Shmear Society loyalty club through the official Einstein Bros. Bagels website. The program offered additional benefits beyond the National Bagel Day promotion, including free food and unlimited free coffee benefits when ordering through the app or online.

Special Coupon Offer for National Bagel Day 2018

In addition to the daily free bagel promotion, Einstein Bros. Bagels offered a special downloadable coupon during the 2018 National Bagel Day celebration. This coupon was redeemable for a $10 Baker's Dozen Box, which included an assortment of 13 freshly-baked bagels and two tubs of premium, whipped shmear. The regular price for this offering was $15, making the coupon a $5 savings.

The coupon was available through a dedicated webpage on the Einstein Bros. Bagels website, where customers could download it and present it at participating locations. This bulk offering was positioned as an opportunity to "brighten the mornings of colleagues, family and friends everywhere," suggesting it was ideal for both personal enjoyment and sharing with others.

According to Kerry Coyne, SVP of Marketing, Product and R&D at Einstein Bros. Bagels, the five-day celebration was designed to honor customers' love for fresh-baked bagels. She stated, "Because one day is not sufficient to celebrate the love our fans have for Einstein Bros. fresh-baked bagels, we are turning our favorite holiday, National Bagel Day, into a five-day bagel extravaganza."

Participating Locations and Important Considerations

While Einstein Bros. Bagels offered generous promotions during the 2018 National Bagel Day celebration, it was important for customers to verify participation at their local locations. The company recommended that interested individuals check the Einstein Bros. Bagels website to find the closest participating locations and potentially call ahead to confirm availability.

Participation in the promotions may have varied by location due to regional differences in operations and policies. Some locations might have had limited quantities or modified the offers based on local circumstances. Therefore, customers were advised to confirm the details with their nearest Einstein Bros. Bagels establishment before making special trips.

The Shmear Society membership was a requirement for accessing the daily free bagel promotion during the five-day celebration. While joining the program was free, it required customers to create an account and provide necessary information to enroll. Once enrolled, members could take advantage of not only the National Bagel Day promotion but also other benefits offered throughout the year.

The Significance of National Bagel Day

National Bagel Day is an annual celebration that recognizes the beloved circular bread product that has become a staple in American cuisine. The holiday provides an opportunity for bagel enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite treat and for bagel shops to express appreciation to their customers through special promotions and discounts.

In 2018, Einstein Bros. Bagels demonstrated the growing commercial significance of food-related holidays by extending the celebration beyond a single day. The company's marketing approach positioned the bagel not just as a food item but as a source of joy and connection, with Coyne noting that "bagels have the power to bring people together and turn the dull into fun."

The five-day celebration also reflected the competitive nature of the food industry, particularly among breakfast and quick-service restaurants. By offering a week-long promotion rather than a single-day deal, Einstein Bros. Bagels aimed to attract customers multiple times throughout the celebration period, potentially increasing foot traffic and sales beyond just the holiday itself.

Other Potential 2018 Bagel Day Promotions

While the provided sources primarily focus on Einstein Bros. Bagels' promotions during the 2018 National Bagel Day, other bagel shops and restaurants may have also offered special deals. However, specific details about these promotions are not available in the source material.

It is common for various food establishments to participate in National Bagel Day by offering discounts, freebies, or special menu items. These promotions can range from a free bagel with purchase to special pricing on bagel platters or unique bagel creations. In 2018, other national chains, regional bagel shops, and local bakeries might have joined the celebration with their own offers.

For consumers interested in maximizing their National Bagel Day experience, checking with local bagel shops and restaurants directly or through their social media channels would have been advisable. Many establishments promote holiday-specific deals through local advertising, in-store signage, or digital platforms.

Maximizing Value from Bagel Shop Promotions

For consumers looking to make the most of promotions like those offered during the 2018 National Bagel Day celebration, several strategies can be effective. First, joining loyalty programs such as Einstein Bros. Bagels' Shmear Society provides access to exclusive deals and birthday rewards, as well as special promotions throughout the year.

Second, downloading and using coupons and promotional codes offered by bagel shops can result in significant savings. Einstein Bros. Bagels' $5 coupon on the Baker's Dozen Box provided substantial value for customers looking to purchase bagels in larger quantities.

Third, taking advantage of multi-day promotions allows customers to enjoy special offers over an extended period. Einstein Bros. Bagels' five-day celebration in 2018 provided multiple opportunities for customers to visit and enjoy free bagels, potentially increasing the overall value of the promotion.

Finally, being aware of additional benefits that come with loyalty program membership, such as free coffee or birthday rewards, enhances the overall value of participation. These ongoing benefits can complement holiday-specific promotions and provide continued value throughout the year.

The Evolution of National Bagel Day Promotions

Comparing the 2018 National Bagel Day celebrations with those of other years reveals how promotions for this food holiday have evolved. While 2018 saw Einstein Bros. Bagels extend their celebration to five days, other years may have featured different approaches to the holiday.

For example, in 2025, Einstein Bros. Bagels offered different promotions, including a free egg sandwich with a purchase for rewards members who ordered ahead in the app or online throughout January. This shift demonstrates how companies may modify their holiday promotions based on business objectives, customer preferences, or operational considerations.

The evolution of National Bagel Day promotions also reflects broader trends in the food industry, including the increasing importance of digital ordering, loyalty programs, and personalized offers. As technology advances and consumer behaviors change, bagel shops and other food establishments continue to adapt their promotional strategies to remain competitive and appealing to customers.

Conclusion

The 2018 National Bagel Day celebration, particularly through Einstein Bros. Bagels' five-day extravaganza, provided significant value to bagel enthusiasts. By offering a free bagel and smear daily to Shmear Society members from February 9th to 13th, the company demonstrated its commitment to customer appreciation and the growing significance of food-related holidays in the retail landscape.

The additional $5 coupon on the Baker's Dozen Box further enhanced the promotion's appeal, offering customers an opportunity to enjoy premium bagels and shmear at a reduced price. For both existing loyal customers and new members joining specifically for the promotion, these deals represented substantial value during the celebration.

While specific details about other bagel shops' 2018 promotions are not available in the provided sources, it is clear that National Bagel Day has become an important occasion for bagel establishments to attract customers and express appreciation. The 2018 celebrations set a precedent for multi-day promotions that could be replicated or expanded in future years.

For consumers, the 2018 National Bagel Day highlighted the benefits of joining loyalty programs, taking advantage of special coupons, and being aware of extended promotions that offer multiple opportunities to enjoy free or discounted items. As food-related holidays continue to gain prominence in the retail calendar, consumers can expect more creative and valuable offers from their favorite bagel shops and restaurants.

Sources

1. Triangle on the Cheap - Einstein Bros. Bagels
2. PR Newswire - Einstein Bros. Bagels Celebrates National Bagel Day