Memorial Day 2026 Restaurant Deals And Discounts Overview

Memorial Day weekend in 2026 presents numerous promotional opportunities for U.S. consumers, with a variety of restaurants and retailers offering discounts, free items, and special meal deals. These offers are primarily designed to honor military personnel, veterans, and active service members, though many are available to the general public or specific loyalty program members. The promotions span a wide range of dining options, from fast food and casual dining to pizza and dessert establishments. Understanding the specific terms, eligibility requirements, and validity periods for each offer is essential for consumers seeking to maximize value during this holiday period.

The available data highlights a significant focus on military appreciation, with several brands providing exclusive discounts or complimentary items upon presentation of valid military identification. In addition to military-specific offers, many promotions are tied to customer loyalty programs or require the use of promotional codes for online or in-store redemption. The geographic availability of these deals may vary, with the source material frequently advising customers to confirm participation with their local establishments prior to visiting. This comprehensive overview details the specific offers, conditions, and timeframes identified in the provided information.

Military Appreciation Offers

A substantial portion of the Memorial Day 2026 promotions are dedicated to recognizing the service of military members and veterans. These offers typically require the presentation of a valid military ID at the time of purchase or order. Perkins, for example, offers military personnel a complimentary Magnificent Seven Breakfast on May 27th with valid identification. This specific single-day promotion provides a no-cost meal option for eligible individuals during the holiday week.

Pokeworks extends a discount to military members on May 26th, offering 20% off any in-store order. To redeem this offer, customers must present a valid military ID and use the promotional code MEMDAY25. Similarly, Marco’s Pizza acknowledges military service with an ongoing policy of providing a 10% discount to military members. This discount appears to be a standing offer rather than a limited-time promotion specific to the holiday. The requirement for valid military identification is a consistent theme across these offers, ensuring the discounts are reserved for the intended recipients.

Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurant Promotions

Fast food and quick service chains are participating in the Memorial Day promotional period with a mix of free items, discounts, and value meals. Burger King offers a free Original Chicken Sandwich to its Rewards Members. This complimentary item is available with any purchase of $1.00 or more, making it a low-barrier offer for members of their loyalty program.

Sonic Drive-In promotes a half-price shake offer, available daily after 5:00 PM for a limited time starting May 19th. This promotion provides a discount on a popular menu item during evening hours. Shake Shack offers a free single burger, but this is contingent on a minimum purchase requirement of $10.00. This structure encourages a higher transaction value while providing a complimentary food item. Zaxby’s is also running a promotion through June 1st, offering half-price shakes in flavors including Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Birthday Cake. This extended timeframe allows consumers to take advantage of the dessert discount beyond the immediate Memorial Day holiday.

Pizza and Casual Dining Deals

Pizza restaurants and casual dining establishments are featuring deals focused on group meals and family bundles. Casey’s is offering a buy-one-get-one-50%-off deal on large pizzas from May 23rd through May 26th. This promotion is timed to cover the core Memorial Day weekend period. Marco’s Pizza promotes the "Crowd Pleaser Bundle" for $24.99 when using the promo code FEED5. This bundle includes two medium one-topping pizzas, CheezyBread, and CinnaSquares, providing a complete meal for a group at a set price.

Newk’s Eatery presents a "Family Meal Deal" from May 23rd to 26th, which includes two pizzas and a salad for $20. This offer provides a budget-friendly option for family dining during the holiday. Dickey’s BBQ Pit offers a $10 discount on various Group Packs, such as the Big Yellow Box Classic Sandwich, Family Pack, or Picnic Pack. These group-oriented deals cater to gatherings and celebrations typical of the Memorial Day weekend.

Discount Codes and Online Ordering Incentives

Several promotions rely on promotional codes for redemption, particularly for online orders or food delivery services. Denny’s provides a $10 discount on orders of $30 or more using the code SUNFUN from May 23rd to 25th. This offer is valid for a short window leading into the holiday weekend. Fazoli’s offers $10 off any order of $50 or more on May 26th with the code MEMORIAL25, targeting customers planning larger orders.

GrubHub, the food delivery platform, is running a series of promotions from May 26th to June 1st. These include Buy One Get One (BOGO) wings up to $15 at Buffalo Wild Wings, 25% off $20+ at SONIC (with a maximum discount of $6), 20% off $25+ at Arby’s (maximum $7), 25% off $20+ at Dunkin’ (up to $7), and 30% off $35+ at CVS (maximum $12). These platform-specific discounts provide a variety of options for consumers ordering through the app. Additionally, Cotton Patch Cafe offers Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken meals for $9.99 when dining in from May 23rd to 26th. Hot Dog on a Stick provides a 50% discount on a Cheese on a Stick when purchasing another through May 31st, valid both in-store and potentially for other order methods.

Convenience Store and Retail Offers

Beyond traditional restaurants, convenience stores are also participating with value meal deals. 7-Eleven offers $2 snack deals starting May 19th, featuring items like Clif Bars, Rice Krispie Treats Big Bars, and Quest Protein Cookies. Loyalty members can access a $4 meal deal which includes a value grill item, 7-Select chips, and a Big Gulp drink. A $5 meal option is also available, consisting of two grill items or one Big Bite Hot Dog. These offers provide quick and affordable food options for consumers on the go.

Conclusion

The Memorial Day 2026 promotional landscape offers a diverse array of discounts and free items across the restaurant and convenience sectors. The primary categories of offers include military-exclusive discounts requiring valid ID, loyalty program member perks, time-sensitive discount codes, and bundled meal deals for groups or families. Key dates to note range from May 19th for the start of certain promotions (e.g., 7-Eleven, Sonic) to June 1st for the conclusion of others (e.g., Zaxby’s, Potbelly, GrubHub). Consumers are advised to verify offer availability at specific locations and to note any required codes or membership enrollments to successfully redeem these promotions. The emphasis on military appreciation and group-oriented meal deals aligns with the traditional themes of the Memorial Day holiday.

Sources

1. Passion for Savings - Memorial Day Freebies 2026