Update: Fast Food Deals & Discounts Through Halloween

There are some great meal deals now through Halloween at fast food and fast casual chains, to help you stretch your strained budget whether you are eating alone or feeding a hungry crew.

We update this list several times a month, so be sure to check back regularly.

Our list includes a deal for National Dessert Day,  $5 Halloween-theme drinks at Applebee’s,  a new smoked brisket choice at Chipotle, FREE donuts from Krispy Kreme when you show proof of a Covid vaccination, and FREE fries on Fridays at McDonald’s through the end of the year.

We update this list several times each month, so be sure to check back regularly.

See also

Kids Eat Free Restaurant Deals

Halloween Week Deals at Fast Food Chains

FREE Food & Drink for Getting Vaccinated

Top fast food deals:

National Dessert Day, Thursday, Oct. 14

Photo: Friendly’s

 In celebration, all Friendly’s Restaurants locations are offering 50% off any ice cream dessert or beverage for Friendly’s Sweet Rewards Club members. 

Customers can join the Sweet Rewards Club by downloading the Friendly’s mobile app or joining at https://www.friendlysrestaurants.com/login. 

More Featured Deals in October

• Frieay Freebie: Free Fries at Wendy’s
• Applebee’s $5 Spooky Sips
• Friday Freebie: Free Fries at McDonald’s
• FREE Krispy Kreme donuts with proof of Covid Vaccination
• Rubio’s $8 lunch specials
• Arby’s introduces $1 Kids’ Meals
• Ruby Tuesday adds new BBQ items, for $9.99
• IHOP unlimited pancakes
• Taco Bell $1 items

See also

FREE Meal Delivery for Seniors & Housebound

Where to get FREE Kosher meals in NYC

Where to get FREE Halal meals in NYC

Freebies & Deals for Frontline Workers

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Note: Many fast food locations are individually owned and operated franchises, and not all locations participate in national promotions.  As a result, price and participation may vary. It’s always wise to call ahead for verification in your area. We strive to keep up with “limited-time offers,” but deals can end without notice.

So, we recommend that you call ahead or drop by to be sure that your preferred location is participating in a special offer.

That applies especially limited time offers, which can disappear without notice.  We list those first.

Photo: Wendy’sW

Wendy’s

Happy Fry-day! Fry fans can start the weekend at Wendy’s with a freebie every Friday in October.

The fast-food chain is spotlighting its Hot & Crispy Fries with a weekly special.  Customers who purchase a medium fry will score a different freebie each Friday via an in-app offer.

Simply add the offer to a mobile order or scan the the offer in-restaurant or at the drive-thru.

Here’s what’s on the menu each Friday:

• Oct. 1 – FREE Dave’s Single
• Oct. 8 – FREE 10-piece Crispy or Spicy Nuggets
• Oct. 15 – FREE Junior Bacon Cheeseburger
• Oct. 22 – FREE 10-piece Crispy or Spicy Nuggets
• Oct. 29 – FREE Classic Chicken Sandwich

A medium fry is about $3, so the weekly special is definitely worth the trip to Wendy’s.

Remember, the FREE item requires the purchase of a medium fry and is only available via the Wendy’s app.

Limited Time Offers

Image: DQ

DQ (Dairy Queen)

Autumn-themed Blizzards are back, including a few new flavors that are good enough to eat - literally - since these all have chunks of sweet things in the mix with vanilla soft serve.

• Pecan Pie Apple Blizzard: This treat has vanilla soft serve blended with pecans (obviously), brown sugar pie pieces and caramel.
• Sea Salt Toffee Fudge Blizzard: Sweet and salty, with fudge pieces, salted toffee pieces and caramel blended into a vanilla soft serve.
• Reese’s Pieces Cookie Dough Blizzard: This dessert combines Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chip cookie dough, and peanut butter topping with vanilla soft serve for the ultimate treat.
• Oreo Mocha Fudge Blizzard: With Oreo cookie pieces, chocolate fudge chunks and coffee blended into a classic vanilla soft serve, this is a choco-holics dream.
• Pumpkin Pie Blizzard: Nothing says Autumn like pumpkin pie. This fan-favorite includes pieces of real pumpkin pie blended into a vanilla soft serve, crowned with whipped topping and nutmeg.
• Royal Ultimate Choco Brownie Dough Blizzard: Vanilla soft serve meets brownie dough, chocolate fudge chunks and cocoa fudge - another choco-holics dream.
• Choco-dipped Strawberry Blizzard:  This Blizzard is a combination of two favorite flavors. With chocolate fudge chunks and real strawberries blended into a vanilla soft-serve.

Image: Applebee’s

Applebee’s

Boo! Halloween is around the corner and the celebrations have started at Applebee’s with the return of the chain’s latest $5 Mucho Cocktails™ — Spooky Sips.

Sink your teeth into Dracula’s Juice, a mouth-watering wildberry creation of a Patron Silver margarita and Bacardi Superior daiquiri.

Or cure your cravings with the Tipsy Zombie, made with Bacardi Superior, passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, lime and a gummy brain topped with melon liqueur.

At participating locations only.

Also at Applebee’s -

For a limited time, add a dozen Double Crunch Shrimp to any steak entrée for just $1 at participating locations. The fan-favorite  is battered, fried golden brown and served with cocktail sauce.

The bonus offer is available for dine-in, take-out or delivery. There is a limit of one add-on order of Double Crunch Shrimp for $1 per steak entrée order.

Bargain hunters might just split the offer in two — someone enjoys the steak, while the other crunches on the shrimp. Or, better yet, cut the steak in half and split the shrimp, so each person can enjoy their own Surf ‘n Turf meal without breaking the bank. 

For more exclusive deals and specials, join Applebee’s E-Club and receive a welcome offer.

Photo: Chipotle

Chipotle

For a limited time, the Tex-Mex chain is offering Smoked Brisket at U.S. and Canada restaurants, as a bowl, burrito, quesadilla or taco..

Made with Responsibly Raised® beef, the new protein is smoked to perfect tenderness, charred on the grill, and seasoned with Mexican spices, including fire-roasted jalapenos and chipotle chili peppers. The protein is hand-chopped and finished with a new Brisket sauce made with smoky chili peppers.

According to a press release, smoked brisket is among the top requested menu items by customers, and it has taken two years of recipe development to come up with this Mexican-inspired Smoked Brisket.

Photo: Krispy Kreme

Best Deal: Krispy Kreme FREE Donuts

Krispy Kreme continues to give away FREE doughnuts to any customer who has received at least one vaccination shot, and shows proof.  You can get the double donut freebie as often as you want - no limit.

The doughnut shop made headlines this past March, when it announced it was giving vaccinated customers a FREE doughnut for the rest of 2021.

To date, they have given away more than 2.5 million Original Glazed doughnuts via the campaign.

That includes at the Krispy Kreme flagship store in Times Square.

Details here.

Best Deal: FREE Fries at McDonald’s

Who doesn’t love McDonald’s fries? Especially, when they’re fresh, piping hot and don’t cost a dime.

The chain’s self-proclaimed “World Famous Fries” are made with premium potatoes, such as the Russet Burbank and Shepody. Fresh from the fryer, the fries are crispy and golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside. That’s what makes them so popular with fry aficionados. 

Through Dec. 31, fry fans can get FREE medium fries with any purchase of $1 or more.  The deal is only via the McDonald’s app, which is also free to download and use. The free fries offer is not valid for in-restaurant purchases.

Fast Food Deals Ending Soon

Hungry for more food deals?

Get Nathan’s hot dogs for 5 cents on Thursdays

Where to Eat in Times Square at Local Restaurants Not National Chains

Best Jewish Delis for Overstuffed Sandwiches

Best All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Deals

Have a deal we should know about?

We love to share.

email us at [email protected] and we’ll check it out.

Photo: Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee

The chain is heading into Autumn with seasonal drinks and menu items that will transport you to pumpkin patches and apple orchards.

For a limited time, sample one or more of these:

Apple Blast for those looking for a non-coffee / non-pumpkin alternative.

The savory and sweet Maple Waffle Breakfast Sandwich.

Also try the Pumpkin Latte or the Pumpkin White Mocha as Nitro, as well as Caribou’s one-of-a-kind Pumpkin Crafted Press.

Photo: Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday

There’s an all-new Libby’s BBQ menu and new sides.

Originally crafted as a delivery-only concept, Libby’s BBQ offers smoky, tender, saucy BBQ entrees and is now available locations for dine-in,  Ruby TueGo and delivery,  for a limited time only.

Through September, Ruby Tuesday guests can try Libby’s BBQ entrees starting at $9.99.

The new menu includes tender, smoked beef brisket and pulled pork, available as an entree or a sandwich, and a new BBQ trio that boasts smoked brisket, pulled pork and smoked sausage all in one dish.

To complement the new  BBQ entrees, there are  new sides including coleslaw, baked beans and house-made potato salad, or choose a classic side like fries or tots.

For the everyday value seeker, Ruby Tuesday continues to offer its “2 for $22” deal, which includes one appetizer and two meals for just $22, available every day for lunch or dinner.

Photo: Living on the Cheap

Arby’s

The fast-food chain is known for its roast beef sandwiches, but they just introduced six new Kids Meals on its menu, including chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, roast beef sliders, chicken sliders and turkey sliders.

For a limited time, enjoy any Arby’s Kids Meal for just $1 with each purchase of a regular-priced meal at participating locations. The Kids Meal is available to children 12 and under. 

Each meal includes a beverage (milk, apple juice, water or soft drink) and fries or applesauce. Limit one discounted kids meal per each regular meal purchased.

Here’s what’s on the kids’ menu:

• Premium chicken nuggets kids meal (4-piece)
• Premium chicken nuggets kids meal (6-piece) 
• Chicken tenders kids meal
• Chicken slider kids meal
• Roast beef slider kids meal
• Roast turkey kids meal 

Dunkin’ Sweet Summer Treats

For a limited time, Dunkin’ is adding new Lemonade Refreshers and new Berry Powdered Donuts and MUNCHKINS^® donut hole treats to the menu at participating locations nationwide.

Lemonade Refreshers combine a classic taste of the season with vibrant fruit flavors. Made with lemonade, flavored fruit concentrate, and B vitamins, these beautifully bright beverages are available in three varieties: Strawberry flavored lemonade, Peach flavored lemonade, and Blueberry flavored lemonade.

New Berry Powdered Donuts and MUNCHKINS^® donut hole treats feature Dunkin’s signature Old-Fashioned cake ring and MUNCHKINS^®, tossed in a new berry powder that delivers a beautiful shade of pink and a delicious taste of berry for a sweet summer treat any time of day.

Photo: McDonald’s

McDonald’s Caramel Brownie McFlurry

For a limited time, McDonald’s adds the new Caramel Brownie McFlurry to the menu, a sweet spring treat that features our creamy vanilla soft serve made with real dairy, with brownie pieces and caramel topping blended throughout.

This is the first time the Caramel Brownie McFlurry® will be available at restaurants throughout the U.S., it made its original debut in 2017 in Canada – the birthplace of the McFlurry®.

It was created in 1995 by a local McDonald’s Owner and Operator, Ron McLellan, in Bathurst, Canada. Since then, it has been served up  in more than 100 countries.

IHOP photo

IHOP All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes

For a limited time, the  popular all-you-can-eat pancakes is back on the menu

Enjoy the all-you-can-eat pancakes for FREE with the purchase of a breakfast combo. (The required purchase excludes omelettes, as well as the 55+ and Kids Menus.) 

The pancakes are served two at a time until you’re “fluffy.”

The best part is that IHOP serves breakfast all day, so you can “batter up” for the savings whenever the cravin’ for pancakes strikes. 

If you’re ordering for delivery or to-go, get a bonus stack of two pancakes with the purchase of select breakfast combos.

Quiznos $5.95 Subs

For a limited time, hungry bargain hunters can bite into the Quisnos Toasty Deal of the Day for tasty savings

For $5.95, enjoy one of its tasty, toasty subs for lunch or dinner at participating locations — a different sub is available each day.

Here’s the weekly line-up:

• Sunday – Honey Bacon Club
• Monday – Spicy Monterey
• Tuesday – Turkey Ranch & Swiss
• Wednesday – Baja Chicken
• Thursday – Ultimate Turkey Club
• Friday – Classic Italian
• Saturday – Honey Bacon ClubThe discount is not valid with any coupon or other offer

Taco Bell photo

Taco Bell $1 Menu

The Mexican fast-food restaurant offers a Cravings Value Menu at participating locations, with select menu items for just $1 each. The line-up changes periodically, so double-check the menu options at your location of choice.

Here’s what’s currently available:

• Loaded Nacho Taco
  
• Chicken Chipotle Melt
• Beef Burrito
• Cheesy Bean & Rice Burrito
• Cheesy Roll-Up
• Chips and Nacho Sauce 
• Cinnamon Twists

If you choose correctly, $3 is enough for a filling meal. 

Start  with an appetizer like the Cheesy Roll Up or Chips and Nacho Cheese Sauce. For the main dish, give the iconic Beef Burrito a try or enjoy the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito instead. Top off your meal with a mouth-watering dessert — Cinnamon Twists!”

For added value, the chain also offers a Happier Hour special every day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — get a medium drink or regular Freeze for just $1. Combine the two deals for maximum savings!

McDonald’s 2 for $6

• Big Mac
• Filet-O-Fish
• Quarter Pounder with Cheese
• Chicken McNuggets (10-ct.) 

You must purchase two items to get the savings. Otherwise, you pay the regular price for each individual item.  So, you are getting the extra menu item for just an extra buck or two.

Hungry bargain hunters would be foolish not to get the second item for the tasty savings. If you’re really hungry, you might just eat both items and, for calories sake, skip the fries and/or soft drink.

Even better, share the second item with a friend or family member…or save it for a “bonus” meal or snack later in the day.

KFC New Chicken Sandwich

Kentucky Fried Chicken is introducing what it claims is its best chicken sandwich ever.

The new KFC Chicken Sandwich is available in select markets now, and will be available seven days a week in all 4,000 KFC restaurants in the U.S. by the end of February.

The new KFC Chicken Sandwich is made with the quarter-pound, all-white meat, double-breaded, Extra Crispy™ chicken breast filet, a  freshly-toasted buttery brioche bun, crispier, thicker pickles, and the Colonel’s real mayo or spicy sauce. Each sandwich is made when ordered, so it is served piping hot every time. .

As the new KFC Chicken Sandwich makes its way into KFC’s 4,000 restaurants across the country, you can track the progress to your favorite location  KFC.com/findthesandwich to find out when the sandwich arrives at their local KFC.  Or, sign up to be notified when it arrives.

When it does -

• KFC Chicken Sandwich à la carte for $3.99
• KFC Chicken Sandwich combo meal, which includes KFC Secret Recipe Fries and medium drink, for $6.99

(Prices and participation may vary. Tax extra.

National Chains News in NYC - Another NYC Success Story

Mamoun’s Falafel

New York City’s oldest falafel restaurant and the fastest growing Middle Eastern restaurant chain in North America, has opened a new location in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 150 Route 17. It is the fourth of 25 Mamoun’s Falafel franchise locations coming to New Jersey in coming months, and joins locations including Hoboken and Princeton.

The brand grown from a single 200-square -foot store opened by Syrian immigrant Mamoun Chater in 1971. Today, the company is run by Mamoun’s four sons and has grown beyond their father’s dreams of a small family restaurant. Franchising has allowed Mamoun’s Falafel to expand across the U.S. rapidly with new units opening on both coasts within the new few months.

Mamoun’s Falafel is on target to expand beyond 1,000 units within the next few years, as interest in New York City’s oldest and favorite falafel brand increases daily.

A true NYC and American success story - founded by immigrants, second-generation family-owned and operated, and expanding.  We wish them well.

Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant  is dedicated to authentic traditional Middle Eastern cuisine including falafel, shawarma and baba-ghanouj.  Everything is made from scratch using only the freshest natural ingredients and the finest imported spices. 

The brand has been featured on Food Network and the Travel Guide Channel and is listed in the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die. Mamoun’s Falafel currently operates nine locations in New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

A true NYC and American success story - founded by immigrants, now second-generation family-owned and operated, and expanding.  We wish them well.

What’s New on Fast Food Menus

TGI Fridays^® is partnering with Beyond Meat^®, a leader in plant-based meat, to build on its offerings and introduce new menu items featuring Beyond Beef^®  including for  a proprietary chili recipe exclusive to the restaurant chain.

Fridays was one of the first casual dining restaurants to offer the Beyond Burger^®. 

Now, in addition to Beyond Chili, you can  order Beyond Chili Loaded Potato Skins, Beyond Chili Ballpark Nachos, and a Beyond Chili Cheeseburger — as well as the Beyond Meat Cheeseburger that’s been a favorite menu item since 2018.

Fridays sees the plant-based trend growing and believes the taste, health benefits and versatility of plant-based meat signifies its exponential potential.

The brand shares this data from Datassential Menu Trends  and Mattson Survey 2020)

• The presence of “‘plant-based” on U.S. menus has increased by more than 3,000% over the past four years, and is expected  to jump another 70% over the next four years.
• More than eight in 10 U.S. consumers are “aware” of “plant-based” and more than half (54%) of consumers have tried it.
• 74% of consumers are trying to eat less meat since the onset of COVID-19, and 61% of consumers are open to restaurants featuring more plant-based products.
• Plant-based protein is more than a trend, it’s here to stay. 83% of consumers believe that diets higher in plant-based protein are a “fundamental change that will last for a long time or forever.”
• About 64% of all Americans “like” or “love” potato skins with 28% saying “love.

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Subway

For a limited time, the popular sub shop is offering a Footlong sub for just $5 at participating locations, when you buy two. You must purchase two subs to get the savings.

The offer only applies to orders placed online or via its app,  not in-restaurant.

When you add any two Footlong subs to your cart, the discount will automatically apply.

The offer is not valid with any additional discounts or for delivery.

Plus, any extras, such as including double meat and guacamole, cost extra.

Deals With No Expiration Date Announced

Pizza Hut

The new Double It Box serves up value for hungry famlies, especially those with food feuds, such as pepperoni or no pepperoni, anchovies or no anchovies.

Now available nationwide, get TWO medium-sized one-topping pizzas in ONE box for just $12.99 (at most locations), which works out to less than $1 a slice. So, whether you’re trying to please a group of picky kids, a partner, roommates or in-laws, it provides more options that satisfy more opinions – all in one box – without breaking the bank.

Order via three contactless order offerings: delivery, carryout, or curbside pickup, for customers that want their pizza right out of the oven, but don’t want to leave the safety and comfort of their car. Those ordering can select their preferred method when ordering over the phone, through the official Pizza Hut app or on the Pizza Hut website.

Since March 2020, Pizza Hut has served close to 20 million contactless digital orders and welcomed several million new customers to the Hut Rewards loyalty program.

Wendy’s

Wake up to savings at Wendy’s with this buy-one-get-one for $1 deal.

Wendy’s added a breakfast menu earlier this year, and wants everybody to know about it with this deal.

Buy any one of these items at regular price and get a second one for just $1

• Breakfast Baconator
• Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit
• Sausage, Egg & Swiss Croissant
• Frosty-ccino

You can mix-and-match the offer to a create the perfect breakfast pairing for your taste, and save money in the bargain.

Also for a limited time, Wendy’s has brought back its popular 4 For $4 meal deal

Get four chicken nuggets, small fries, a small drink and your choice of one of the following sandwiches for just $4:

• Crispy Chicken Sandwich
• Jr. Cheeseburger
• Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger

Qdoba

Two meal deals are available indefinitely at QDOBA, the fast-casual Mexican restaurant.  One deal is for the entire family, the other for just one person.  Fill your burrito bowl with these savings: \

Family Meal Deal – The meal comes with all the fixings for a group of five, and comes with your choice of grilled adobo chicken or steak, cilantro lime rice & black beans, its signature 3-Cheese queso, pico de gallo, salsa verde, shredded cheese, tortillas and a large bag of chips, starting at $34.95.

Burrito Meal Deal – Get a hand-crafted burrito loaded with flavor, a side of freshly-made tortilla chips and salsa, for just $9.95.

Order through QDOBA.com or the QDOBA app, in-restaurant to-go ordering, and delivery via third-party provider