Memorial Day Restaurant Freebies Discounts And Promotional Offers

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States, bringing together opportunities for remembrance, celebration, and dining out. Many restaurants and food establishments take advantage of this holiday weekend to offer special deals, discounts, and freebies to attract customers. From buy-one-get-one-free offers to military discounts, Memorial Day presents numerous opportunities for consumers to enjoy meals at reduced costs or with complimentary items. This article explores the various restaurant freebies, promotional offers, and discounts available during Memorial Day weekend, based on verified information from current and anticipated offers.

Memorial Day Restaurant Deals and Freebies

Fast Food Chains

Fast food restaurants often provide some of the most attractive Memorial Day deals, offering free items and significant discounts. Burger King, for instance, has planned a series of promotions for Memorial Day weekend 2025. On May 24, customers can enjoy a FREE Frozen Fanta Strawberry, followed by FREE Chicken Nuggets on May 25. The highlight comes on Memorial Day itself (May 26), when Burger King offers a buy-one-get-one-free Whopper as part of its Perks Week celebration.

Sonic Drive-In extends its Memorial Day celebration with 50% off all Classic and Master Shakes after 5 p.m., an offer valid through June 29, 2025. This promotion allows customers to cool off with discounted shakes throughout the summer season.

Subway provides consistent value with any Footlong sandwich available for just $6.99 throughout the entire month of May, including the Memorial Day weekend. This offer makes Subway an affordable option for families looking to enjoy a meal together without breaking the budget.

Pizza Hut, while not advertising a specific Memorial Day promotion in the available data, offers ongoing deals and discounts that make it an economical choice for holiday gatherings. The pizza chain's regular promotions provide value for customers planning pizza parties during the holiday weekend.

Casual Dining Restaurants

Several casual dining establishments offer Memorial Day specials that provide substantial value to customers. Firehouse Subs, for example, runs a promotion from May 23 to 26, 2025, where customers can buy a medium or large sub and receive a second one for 50% off, perfect for family picnics.

Denny's presents a breakfast bargain that extends beyond Memorial Day weekend. Through June 8, 2025, customers can purchase an Original Grand Slam Breakfast or All-American Slam Breakfast and receive a second plate for just $1. Additionally, from May 23 to 25, 2025, Denny's offers $10 off online orders of $30 or more at dennys.com.

Olive Garden provides an opportunity for families to enjoy extra meals over the holiday weekend with a special offer: an additional take-home entrée for just $6. Customers can choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, or Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.

Family-Friendly Options

Several restaurants offer options particularly suited for families during Memorial Day. The data suggests that some establishments provide meal kits and family packages that allow customers to enjoy restaurant-quality food at home, which can be especially appealing for families with young children.

While specific family meal promotions for Memorial Day 2025 are limited in the provided data, some restaurants have anticipated offers for 2026. Tijuana Flats, for instance, is expected to offer discounts on Family Meal Kits along with free delivery during Memorial Day weekend 2026.

Military and First Responder Discounts

Many restaurants honor military personnel and first responders with special discounts, some of which are available year-round while others are specifically for Memorial Day. Bonefish Grill offers a Heroes Discount of 10% off for all service members, veterans, and first responders every day of the year.

Outback Steakhouse similarly provides a Heroes Discount of 10% off for service members, veterans, and first responders throughout the year. These consistent acknowledgments of service provide ongoing value to military and first responder communities.

Anticipated Memorial Day Restaurant Offers for 2026

Looking ahead to Memorial Day 2026, several restaurants are expected to offer promotions based on previous patterns and anticipated strategies. Dickey's Barbecue Pit plans to provide discounts on Group Packs when customers use a promo code at checkout, either online or through the app.

Fazoli's anticipates offering a discount during Memorial Day weekend 2026 when customers use a promo code at checkout online or in-app. Gopuff expects to provide discounts for FAM members on Memorial Day essentials such as ice cream sandwiches, sparkling water, hydration drinks, and popsicles.

White Castle plans to offer discounts on Sliders when customers use a Memorial Day coupon at checkout, available online, in-app, or in-store. Yogurtland intends to allow rewards members to earn double points on all Memorial Day weekend purchases.

Zaxby's is expected to offer half-off shakes when customers order online or in-store. While these offers are anticipated for 2026, they provide insight into the types of promotions restaurants commonly implement during Memorial Day weekend.

Restaurant Marketing Strategies for Memorial Day

Themed Dining Experiences

Many restaurants create themed dining experiences for Memorial Day to enhance customer engagement and create a festive atmosphere. Some establishments decorate their patios in red, white, and blue and offer outdoor grilling options featuring summer barbecue favorites like ribs, wings, and burgers.

Creating a patriotic ambiance with decorations and music can elevate the dining experience and make customers feel more connected to the holiday's significance. Some restaurants may even hire local bands to play live music, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Meal Kits and Catering

Several restaurants have found success offering Memorial Day meal kits that allow customers to enjoy restaurant-quality food at home. These kits typically include all the ingredients needed to prepare holiday favorites, making them convenient for customers who prefer to dine at home.

For restaurants that plan to close on Memorial Day but still want to generate revenue, catering options present an attractive alternative. Marketing complete packages with mains, sides, drinks, and desserts as "mouth-watering" holiday bundles can attract customers looking for convenient meal solutions. Some restaurants offer upgrade packages that include seating, setup, and teardown services for an additional fee.

Family-Friendly Activities

To attract families, some restaurants offer special activities for children during Memorial Day. Face painting with patriotic designs like flags, stars, and stripes can provide entertainment for young customers while parents enjoy their meals.

Other family-friendly options may include special children's menus, activity packs, or outdoor play areas where kids can engage safely while families celebrate the holiday.

Staff Appreciation Initiatives

Some restaurants use Memorial Day as an opportunity to appreciate staff members with military connections. By sharing their stories on social media (with permission), restaurants can give employees recognition while educating customers about the significance of Memorial Day for team members.

This approach not only supports employees but also helps customers understand the personal connections some staff members have to military service, potentially fostering deeper community connections.

Year-Round Military Discounts at Restaurants

Beyond Memorial Day-specific offers, many restaurants provide ongoing discounts to military personnel and veterans. Krispy Kreme gives veterans and active-duty military personnel a free doughnut with a small purchase of coffee. Starbucks offers free tall (12-ounce) brewed coffees to military members.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has provided free combo meal comp cards to veterans and current military that could be used through November. Olive Garden offers veterans an entrée from a special menu, along with unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks.

On the Border has offered all active and retired military a free Pick 2 combo meal. Village Inn restaurants have provided veterans and active military with a complimentary V.I.B. breakfast plus a 20% coupon for their next visit.

While some of these offers may be specifically tied to Veterans Day rather than Memorial Day, they demonstrate the restaurant industry's commitment to honoring military service throughout the year.

Conclusion

Memorial Day weekend presents numerous opportunities for consumers to enjoy restaurant meals with special deals, discounts, and complimentary items. From fast food chains offering free items to casual dining restaurants providing significant discounts, the variety of options allows customers to choose based on their preferences and budgets.

Military and first responder discounts provide ongoing recognition for those who serve, while some restaurants extend these benefits year-round. Looking ahead to 2026, anticipated offers suggest that restaurants will continue to find creative ways to attract customers during the holiday weekend.

As consumers plan their Memorial Day celebrations, restaurant promotions can provide both value and convenience, whether dining in, taking out, or enjoying catered meals at home. By taking advantage of these offers, families and individuals can enjoy the holiday without straining their budgets while supporting local businesses.

Sources

1. Memorial Day Weekend Freebies & Deals
2. Memorial Day Food Deals
3. Memorial Day Promotions for Restaurants
4. Memorial Day Weekend Events & Deals in Wichita