Fast Food Deals & New Menu Items Through July, August & Beyond

There are great meal deals and new menu items at national restaurant and fast food chains every week, to help you stretch your strained budget.

The best of what’s new includes FREE ice cream at Friendly’s and Handel’s, Hot Orange Chicken returns to to Panda Express, Crabfest returns to Red Lobster, 100 days of deals at Wendy’s, Friday freebies at Sonic, Subway $1 footlong with a purchase, new Italian-inspired menu choices at Panera, return of all-you-can-eat at Applebee’s, new menu items at Wahlburgers, Chicken & Waffles return to KFC, three-course meal for $14.99 at Outback Steakhouse, campfire meals return to Cracker Barrel, and more. 

We update this money-saving list at the beginning and middle of each month, and in between when there is a noteworthy new offer, so you can save money on fast food deals and discounts and new menu items.

All the deals and new menu items we publish here are from the trade publication Restaurant News or the digital marketing agencies which contact ecoXplorer directly with information about their national chain clients.

Many of these deals, discounts and new menu items are for a limited time.  Since the chains rarely tell us exactly when a limited time deal will expire, check with your favorite destination or prepare to be disappointed.

Scroll down for on-going deals.

As that guy in the TV commercial says, arrive hungry, my friends. Or thirsty. Or both.

See Also

Restaurant & Fast Food Deals for Seniors 55+

Friendly’s 

Free ice cream?  Yes, please. To celebrate it’s 90th anniversary, the  iconic ice cream and diner-style destination is celebratingwith sweet surprises, unbeatable value and a weekend-long birthday bash.

From July 18 through July 20, spanning Friendly’s Founders Day through National Ice Cream Day, enjoy special offers including:

• FREE Ice Cream – Guests who join the Friendly’s Fan Club Rewards program will receive a free cone or dish of Friendly’s signature ice cream on July 20^th for National Ice Cream Day.
• 90-Cent Cones or Dishes – Not a member yet? Everyone else can still scoop up the fun with 90-cent single scoop ice cream, available in-store or to-go.
• Exclusive Anniversary Sunglasses – The first 90 guests at every location will score a pair of Friendly’s 90^th anniversary sunglasses on July 18^th for Friendly’s Founders Day.
• New Mini Scoop Collection – Sample three fan-favorite flavors in a trio of adorable mini sugar cones.

For even more celebration, you can take the party home with a Free Birthday in a Bag – a festive kit packed with party gear like Conehead sundae hats, ice cream-themed games and decorations that make celebrating easy with a purchase of a 100-oz. Friendly’s sheet cake while supplies last.

Handel’s Ice Cream

July 20th – This chain with 155 locations nationwide celebrates its 80^th anniversary on National Ice Cream Day with FREE ice cream for anybody 80 and older, no purchase required.

Handel’s is not a gi-normous chain – just 155 locations nationwide – but we love the idea of a special freebie for ice cream lovers of a certain age.  And certainly anybody age 80 or more, living on Social Security and savings, appreciates a freebie.

Handel’s history – In July 1945, Alice Handel began scooping homemade ice cream out of her husband’s gas station in Youngstown, Ohio. What started as a single parlor rooted in small-batch care has grown into a beloved brand with locations nationwide,  all continuing to honor Alice’s original commitment to craftsmanship one scoop at a time.

Panda Express

For a limited time, fan-favorite Hot Orange Chicken retuns to all 2,500+ restaurants nationwide.

The Original Orange Chicken®, first introduced by Panda in 1987, revolutionized American Chinese cuisine, becoming a widespread cultural phenomenon. The crispy chicken wok-tossed in a sweet and semi-spicy orange sauce accounts for one third of all entrées sold at Panda. The brand served up  137 million pounds of the dish last year alone.

Its fiery counterpart, Hot Orange Chicken, turns up the heat – cranked up with 6X more crushed chillies and the same scorched dried chillies used in the brand’s Kung Pao Chicken.

Subway

Through August 9, get a Footlong for $1 when you buy One Footlong at the regular price – use Promo Code: BOGO1

The BOGO deal is only for MVP Rewards members, so if you aren’t already a member, this would be a good time to join to save on chef-crafted subs or create your own sandwich on freshly-baked bread.  All Subway sandwiches are made with freshly sliced deli meats, savory steak, juicy chicken, hand-chopped veggies and finished with one of Subway’s 11 signature sauces.

For a limited time, the sandwich chain continues to offer other daily deals –

One is the return of the $6.99 any footlong promotion, by using promo code 699FL on the Subway app or Subway.com.

The sandwich chain also continues to offer its  Meal of the Day, celebrating a different sandwich each day of the week for $6.99 for a six-inch sub and $9.99 for a footlong.

The daily deal also includes a choice of two cookies or a bag of chips and a small fountain drink. Every day features a different Subway favorite:

• Monday – Cold Cut Combo®
• Tuesday – All-Pro Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki®
• Wednesday – Meatball Marinara
• Thursday – All-New Baja Chipotle Chicken
• Friday – Tuna
• Saturday – The Ultimate B.M.T.®
• Sunday – The Philly

Red Lobster

Through September 14 – The biggest crab event of the year – Crabfest – is back, including all-new Seafood Boils –

Mariner’s Boil, featuring a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and red potatoes, or Sailor’s Boil, featuring a mix of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes. Each boil can be finished with Roasted Garlic Butter, Cajun Butter, or OLD BAY® seasoning.

With the fan favorite Crab Your Way offering, diners can enjoy a full pound of crab legs prepared your way over crispy potatoes. Choose between Snow Crab or Bairdi Crab (+$9), either  Simply Steamed, Roasted Garlic Butter, Cajun Butter or a NEW OLD BAY® & Parmesan flavoring.

New Crabfest Dishes

• Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms – A flavorful appetizer packed with rich crab stuffing
• Crab-Topped Asparagus – A premium side dish featuring asparagus topped with crab
• Crab-Topped Potato – A premium side dish, elevating a classic dish with savory crab
• Steak Oscar – Sirloin topped with lump meat in a creamy, decadent sauce
• Salmon Oscar – Atlantic salmon topped with lump crab meat in a cream, decadent sauce

There also are some new festival-themed cocktails.

Wendy’s

Through July 26, Wendy’s Summer of Savings promotion offers 100 days of deals, with a different deal for one cent or one dollar every week through Labor Day.

The program launched on National Hamburger Day on May 28,  with the chain’s classic Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger for just one cent.  It’s one of the chain’s most popular items, featuring  the restaurant’s signature square beef patty and Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, American cheese and mayo.

The one cent burger deal runs from May 28 to June 1 and is valid with any purchase after applying the digital offer, available only in the Wendy’s app.  Limit one per customer – as are all Summer of Savings deals.

June 7 to July 26 – Next is the $1 Dave’s Single with any purchase, available every Saturday.

Adding to the summer hype, Wendy’s just  added two new items to the menu to pair with the burger deals – the new  Frosty Swirls and Frosty Fusions

If you aren’t a member Wendy’s Rewards yet, this would be a good time to join, to get these 100 days of deals.

SONIC Drive-In

Through August 29, fans can open the SONIC App every Friday to unwrap a new freebie that’s automatically loaded and ready to redeem with any qualifying purchase. No codes. No hoops. Just free flavor to fuel the weekend.

Friday freebies include –

• Corn Dogs
• Classic SONIC Shakes with Purchase
• SONIC Tots and Groovy Fries
• Mozzarella Sticks
• SONIC Cheeseburgers
• ️ And more

Also, enjoy half-price drinks every day from 2–4 P.M. when you order at the drive-in, or get the same deal anytime when you order ahead in the App.

Earlier this year, Sonic introduced a  new Value Menu, features a snack, entrée and dessert for $1.99 each.

Available all day, everyday, the permanent menu options include the new queso wraps, quarter pound double cheeseburger, chili cheese coney, small tots and a 16-ounce shake in 12 different flavors.

 Wahlburgers

For a limited time, the chain is is serving up serious heat – and keeping it cool – with a fresh lineup of tropical-inspired and indulgent additions.

• Teriyaki Pineapple Smashburger: Two Certified Angus Beef patties layered with white cheddar cheese, sliced pineapple, lettuce, teriyaki sauce, and mayo – a sweet and savory escape to paradise.
• WahlStreet Spritz: A tropical take on a summer spritz with Aperol, La Marca Prosecco, Monin Strawberry Syrup, and pineapple juice.
• Strawberry Shortcake Shake: Strawberry ice cream blended with Monin Strawberry Purée and topped with whipped cream and a classic Twinkie. Available as a non-alcoholic shake or spiked with Stoli Vanilla Vodka.

Also, there are new core menu items, including –

• Smash Style Burgers: The newest menu category, featuring two Certified Angus Beef patties seared for a crispy, caramelized crust and juicy, flavor-packed center. Launching with the Our Burger and Pepperoni Smash – stacked high and built to satisfy.
• Meatball Hoagie: Premium Italian meatballs in a savory arrabbiata sauce topped with provolone, served on a toasted Philly Amoroso roll brushed with housemade garlic butter.
• Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich: Grilled chicken glazed in tangy teriyaki, topped with lettuce, tomato, grilled pineapple, onion, and mayo – a tropical twist on a savory favorite.

Panera

For a limited time, enjoy three new, Italian-inspired menu items, part of a new summer menu –

• Italian Steak & Mozz: Tender, marinated sliced steak, fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomato, arugula, garlic aioli, fresh basil and Italian dressing on Black Pepper Focaccia.
• Italian Market Salad: Mixed greens with arugula, tossed in Italian dressing. Topped with soppressata, shredded asiago cheese, chopped basil, salt & pepper, chickpeas and croutons.
• Strawberry Basil Lemonade Fresca: Lemonade made with agave nectar and strawberry puree fruit blend, infused with fresh strawberries and basil.

Unlimited Sip Club® members can enjoy sipping on the refreshing Strawberry Basil Lemonade Fresca as part of the suite of eligible beverages.

And, for a limited time, new subscribers who sign up by June 30 will receive three full months of endless fountain drinks, iced and hot coffee, teas and more.

Health Alert – Panera Charged Lemonade & Sips

We feature a lot of new menu items here, but it’s not often we alert followers about a menu item being dropped because of lawsuits by people who said the drinks had caused health problems, including two deaths.

Panera Bread has stopped selling the highly caffeinated fruit-flavored drinks, Charged Lemonade and Charged Sips.

According to Panera’s own website, a regular size of the Charged drinks, which come in three flavors, has at least 155 milligrams of caffeine, while the large sizes have at least 233 milligrams. That’s the equivalent of one or two cups of coffee.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, most “healthy adults” can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, or about four or five cups of regular coffee, depending on the brand and roast.

Additional Warning

If you are a fan of energy drinks – read the labels – so you know that some individual servings such as Red Bull have as much caffeine as a six-pack of Coca Cola.

Dave & Buster’s

Through Sept. 1 – Buy and use the first-ever Summer Season Pass, for unlimited video game play, daily food and beverage discounts, access to new exclusive games and prizes.

The passes include the hottest new games, including 10 epic additions like Top Gun Maverick, UFC Challenge, Godzilla VR, NBA Superstars, Cyberpunk, and more.

There are three pass tiers –

• Silver: Unlimited weekday game play + 10% off food and non-alcoholic drinks – for $69.99 ($500+ Value)
• Gold: Unlimited daily game play + 20% off food and non-alcoholic drinks + earn up to 1,000 tickets each week – for $99.99($700+ Value)
• Platinum: Unlimited daily game play (no blackout dates) + 30% off food and non-alcoholic drinks + earn up to 2,000 tickets each week – for $149.99 ($800+ Value)

Chipotle’s

• After the purchase of one entrée, get 50 bonus points, five sweepstakes entries and an Extras badge
• After the purchase of two more entrées, get 100 bonus points, 10 sweepstakes entries and an Extras badge
• After the purchase of two more entrées, get 200 bonus points, 15 sweepstakes entries and an Extras badge
• After the purchase of two more entrées, get 300 bonus points, 30 sweepstakes entries and an Extras badge

If this game is for you, and you are not yet a reward program member, opt into the program online here.

Farmer Boys

The fast-casual restaurant chain has updated its Farmstand Fresh & Affordable Menu for summer.

Starting at just $9.99, the new lineup features six box options—four newly developed through internal innovation, and two returning favorites brought back by popular demand.

These five box  come with a small order of Always Crispy Fries® and a small drink, making them a complete, value-packed meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

• Jr. Double Cheeseburger Dipping Box (NEW): Two fresh, never frozen Jr. beef patties, two kinds of cheese, ketchup, mayo, onions, and pickles on a locally-baked, toasted brioche bun. Includes choice of house-made ranch, chili ranch or avocado ranch for dipping.

• Triple Cheeseburger Dipping Box (NEW): Three fresh, never frozen Jr. beef patties, two kinds of cheese, ketchup, mayo, onions, and pickles on a locally-baked, toasted brioche bun. Includes choice of house-made ranch, chili ranch or avocado ranch for dipping.

• Chicken Quesadilla Box (NEW): Diced all-natural chicken, 2 kinds of cheese, and avocado ranch sauce folded into a warm flour tortilla.

• 3pc Chicken Strips Box (Back by Popular Demand): Three tender, seasoned and battered chicken strips fried to crispy perfection and served with Texas toast.

• 4pc Chicken Strips Box (Back by Popular Demand): Four crispy, seasoned, and battered chicken strips fried to perfection and served with Texas toast.

Rounding out the lineup as the sixth and only breakfast option, the Breakfast Muffin Sandwich & French Toast Dippers Box is a brand-new addition and Farmer Boys’ first-ever breakfast box. It features a hand-cracked cage-free egg, hickory-smoked bacon, and American cheese on a toasted English muffin, plus French toast dippers and a hot cup of coffee for a hearty start to the day.

KFC

The chain has brought back its popular Chicken & Waffles, for the first time in over five years, with $7 meal deals.

Original Recipe® fried chicken is paired with thick, golden brown waffles with pockets of pearl sugar, paired with sweet syrup.

KFC advises that prices and participation may vary while supplies last. Prices are higher in AK, HI, CA and on third-party ordering websites.

• $7 Tenders and Waffle Box – Three juicy and crispy Original Recipe® Tenders, a Liège-style waffle, and Mrs. Butterworth’s® syrup.
• $7 Two-Piece Fried Chicken and Waffle Box – Two pieces of fried chicken (drum and thigh), in your choice of Original Recipe® or Extra Crispy™, a Liège-style waffle, and Mrs. Butterworth’s® syrup.

These deals are for a limited time or available only through KFC Rewards

• Through June 8 only – $25 Chicken & Waffles Fan Favorites Box – Four pieces of fried chicken (or six tenders), 12 KFC Nuggets, four Liège-style waffles, two individual fries, and your choice of four syrups or dipping sauces.
• Double Points on Chicken & Waffles Orders –  Get double points on KFC.com or the KFC app when ordering the $7 or $25 Chicken & Waffles
• BOGO 8 pc. Chicken Bucket or 8 pc. Tenders – Available only to new sign-ups for Rewards program.
• $10 Tuesday with Tenders –  On Tuesday only, choose from eight Original Recipe® tenders (plus four dipping sauces) – or eight pieces of classic fried chicken for only $10.

As an added treat, KFC is introducing Strawberry & Crème Pie Poppers with strawberry and cream filling in a flaky crust.

Applebee’s

For a limited time, enjoy the return of the popular  All You Can Eat Special, which includes Riblets, Double Crunch Shrimp, and Chicken Tenders.

The endless stream of summery cookout-themed bites is accompanied by bottomless fries (and coleslaw) for $15.99, which is one dollar more than the same deal offered in January 2024.  Blame inflation for the one-dollar increase.

Chicken Tenders come with a choice of two dipping sauces, including Classic Buffalo, Honey BBQ, Sweet Asian Chile, Honey Dijon Mustard, Hot Honey Glaze, and the brand new Spicy Honey Mustard. House-made Buttermilk Ranch and Bleu Cheese options are also available.

The deal is dine-in only, meaning you can’t order all-you-can-eat takeout, and no sharing allowed.

The offer is limited to one person per order; no sharing is permitted. Guest must be 21 or older.

If you aren’t already a member, join Club Applebee’s for free and earn a complimentary appetizer and a free birthday dessert if you happen to be born the day you’re visiting.

Outback Steakhouse

For a limited time, the Aussie steakhouse is offering a three-course meal starting at $14.99, for dine-in only.

 Start with a soup or salad, then choose from select Down Under entrées, and finish with a slice of New York-style cheesecake.

Smashburger

Shake Happy Hour returns with 50% off shakes on Fridays, 2pm to 5pm.

Order online with code Shake25, or just mention the deal in-store.

Perkins American Food Co.

The family-dining restaurant chain is celebrating National Burger Month with the introduction of The Great American Burger Trio – a cheeseburger, fries, and pie, all for just $9.99.

The Burger, Fries, and Pie combo includes an 100% Angus beef cheeseburger served on a  warm brioche bun, paired with crispy fries, and a slice of pie made daily at the in-store bakery.

Choose from classics like tangy Lemon Meringue, homestyle Apple Pie, and the best-selling French Silk. And just in time for the season, the brand is bringing back the long-awaited Strawberry Pie, which is made from fresh, hand-cut strawberries prepared each morning.

Join the Perkins e-Club and receive 20% off your next visit just for signing up for the program. Plus, receive other exclusive offers.

The chain also has launched The Great American Pancake Trio for just $4.99, featuring a choice of  classic buttermilk, chocolate chip, blueberry, or strawberry flavors. Other sides or toppings are additional.

The recipes reflect Perkins legacy since 1958, when it first opened as a single pancake house.

Additionally, for a limited time, there are ½ price appetizers from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to close, including Chicken Strips, MozzaSticks, Fried Pickles, Onion Rings and Strawberry & Cream Cheese Crispers.  This deal is available at select Perkins locations only.

Olive Garden

The Italian chain is offering a lunch deal – Monday-Friday, get a choice of 10 pastas and the never-ending appetizers for just $12

There also are $6 take home entrees when you dine in or order to-go.

Huddle House

The chain has rolled out Smashed Burger lineup to the permanent menu.  There are three choices –

• HuddleBurger® Smash Deluxe: Two seasoned smashed all beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle chips, and the signature sweet & tangy Huddle sauce on a toasted potato bun.
• Mega Bacon Smash Deluxe: Two seasoned smashed all beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, four strips of Applewood smoked bacon, pickle chips, and the signature sweet & tangy Huddle sauce on a toasted potato bun.
• Breakfast Smash: A seasoned smashed all beef patty, American cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, a farm-fresh egg, and the signature sweet & tangy Huddle sauce on a toasted potato bun.

Download the mobile app to earn points to redeem for meals.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

For a limited time – After seven years, the buffet chain  is welcoming back the brand’s beloved Campfire Meals – including an all new Campfire Shrimp Skillet, alongside Campfire Chicken and Campfire Beef, plus a new decadent S’mores Brownie Skillet featuring a HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Bar.

Each Campfire Meal is braised with a signature blend of Campfire Seasoning, wrapped in tin foil and slow cooked to induce a bounty of aroma and flavor for guests to unlock right at the table. Each meal is served alongside Buttermilk Biscuits and Cornbread Muffins. The lineup features:

Campfire Shrimp Skillet – Starting at $10.99, this latest addition to the Campfire menu features grilled shrimp and andouille sausage cooked in a buttery broth with campfire-seasoned corn and potatoes, served in a cast iron skillet.

Campfire Chicken – A savory, marinated half-chicken is seasoned with campfire spices, slow-cooked with sweet corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes and onions in a buttery broth.

Campfire Beef – Tender beef is slow-braised with the same classic campfire vegetables and spices, sealed in foil for hearty, savory goodness.

S’mores Brownie Skillet is a unique nod to the experience of making s’mores over a campfire. The new dessert features a rich chocolate brownie topped with a roasted marshmallow and a melting HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Bar, all served warm over crumbled graham crackers and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Through August 31 – There’s a new Smoke Stacks menu offering the option to choose from signature Smoke Stacks or build your  own custom stack from a mix of slow-smoked meats, sides, and toppings.

Already a fan favorite, the Brisket Mac Stack and Chili Mac Stack are just the beginning. The new menu expands on this concept by turning favorites into fully customizable stacked creations.

McDonald’s

The Golden Arches has introduced one of its most major menu changes in years – the new value platform, McValue™, nationwide.

McValue will include current fan-favorites like the $5 Meal Deal, exclusive in-app offers, and local food and drink deals – plus, a brand new Buy One, Add One for $1 offer on popular items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. TLDR: More choices, any time hunger strikes.

Buy One, Add One for $1

Here’s how it works: buy one full-priced menu item from the McValue menu and add one more item of your choice for just $1.

McValue Breakfast Buy One, Add One for $1 menu items include:

• Sausage McMuffin®, Sausage Biscuit, Sausage Burrito, Hash Browns

McValue Lunch/Dinner Buy One, Add One for $1 menu items include:

• 6-pc. Chicken McNuggets®, Double Cheeseburger, McChicken®, Small Fries

$5 Meal Deal & More

The $5 Meal Deal has officially been extended through next summer and will include McValue choices.

The $5 Meal Deal features your choice of a McDouble® or McChicken® sandwich, small fries, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets® and a small soft drink for just $5.**

KFC

Competing with the McDonald’s $5 deal, KFC is adding a hot new lineup of five flavor-packed bowls including icons like the Famous Bowl and saucy twists like the new Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl to its $5 meal deal options.

For a limited time, the fan-favorite Nashville Hot Sauce is back on KFC menus nationwide, while supplies last. Indulge your cravings with a hearty, warm, comforting bowl this winter for just $5 each, making your post-holiday wallet happy. The five flavor-packed $5 options are available starting today at KFC restaurants, KFC.com and the KFC app:

• NEW Nashville Hot Loaded Fries Bowl – Crispy fries, coleslaw, pickles and five Original Recipe® Nuggets, drizzled with Nashville Hot Sauce.
• Nashville Hot Mac & Cheese Bowl – Combining mac & cheese with five Original Recipe® Nuggets, three-cheese blend and Nashville Hot Sauce.
• Nashville Hot Famous Bowl – A remix on a legendary KFC menu item, with layers of mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, three-cheese blend, five Original Recipe® Nuggets, plus the delectably spicy Nashville Hot Sauce.
• Mac & Cheese Bowl – A cheesy comfort meal, featuring creamy mac & cheese, three-cheese blend and five Original Recipe® Nuggets.
• Famous Bowl – One of the most iconic KFC menu items – with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, three-cheese blend and five Original Recipe® Nuggets.

Fans also get Nashville Hot Sauce on the new KFC Original Recipe® Tenders while supplies last.

For those looking for even more flavor options, KFC is also introducing two digital exclusive menu items: the Korean BBQ Mac & Cheese Bowl and Korean BBQ Loaded Fries Bowl (also just $5). KFC’s Korean BBQ – first debuted on Saucy Nuggets last year – is a sweet and savory combination.

Additional $5 meal deals include –

• Chicken Nuggets: Eight chicken nuggets hand-breaded with KFC’s Original Recipe, Secret Recipe Fries and your choice of two sauces.
• Famous Bowl with KFC Chicken Nuggets: Made fresh to order with a foundation of creamy mashed potatoes, sweet corn, 100% white meat chicken nuggets, drizzled with home-style gravy and topped with three shredded cheeses.
• Two-Piece Drum & Thigh: Two pieces of fried chicken (drum and thigh), creamy mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit.

KFC continues to offer its popular “$10 Tuesdays” deal: get a bucket of eight pieces of drums and thighs for ten bucks.

Every day of the week, customers can also get  the $20 Family Deal – six pieces of chicken on the bone (two drums, two thighs, one breast and one wing), four individual sides of your choice, and four  biscuits.

Dunkin’

The chain is  joining others in offering a $5 meal deal, along with some new menu items. with a bang, introducing an irresistible $5 meal deal alongside an exciting winter menu that’s bound to delight coffee enthusiasts and breakfast lovers alike.

The budget-friendly $5 combo includes two made-to-order Wake-Up Wrap sandwiches paired with a medium coffee. Customers can customize their wraps with egg, cheese, and their choice of bacon, sausage, turkey sausage, or opt for a meatless version. The beverage option includes either a 14 oz. hot coffee or a refreshing 24 oz. iced coffee.

There’s no word on whether this is a limited time or permanent offer, so stay tuned.

Pizza Hut

For a limited time, get the NEW Triple Treat Box®, with  With 2 medium 1-topping pizzas, 5 breadsticks & 10 cinnamon sticks.

Starting at just $19.99, this box has a little something for everyone. You can even order your pizzas with Tavern crust and a square-cut for sharing. Add toppings or upgrade to cheese sticks or a different dessert like Cinnabon® Mini Rolls for an extra charge. It really is a three-course meal all in one.

• Additional charge for more than 1 pizza topping, Pan & extra cheese.
• Additional charge for select dessert options & cheese stick upgrade.
• Priced higher in some locations, including CA. Taxes, tip & delivery fees not included.

Shoney’s

A new Theme Meals program offers a different menu each day, along with the chain’s famous  All-You-Care-to-Eat Fresh Food Bar. Here are the daily details –

Monday: Backyard BBQ – BBQ ribs, grilled wings, grilled BBQ chicken, beef sliders, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, mac ‘n’ cheese, pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw, tomato cucumber onion salad, cabbage beef soup

Tuesday:  Flavor Fiesta – Taco beef, chicken & steak fajitas, whole roasted jalapeño, black beans, pinto beans, salsa, flour tortillas, chips, cheese sauce, sour cream, diced tomatoes, diced onions, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese Soups/Other: chicken tortilla soup

Wednesday: Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) – Current breakfast items (including Enhanced Breakfast), apple cinnamon roll bake, fresh fruit, broccoli cheddar soup

Thursday: Dinner Italiano – Baked spaghetti, chicken parmesan, chicken alfredo, lasagna, bread sticks, dinner rolls, Caesar salad, potato sausage soup

Friday: Surf to Table (Seafood Night) – Clam strips, fried oysters, seafood bake, shrimp & grits, crab rice, seafood pasta alfredo, jambalaya, gumbo, clam chowder

Saturday: Surf ‘n’ Turf (Seafood and Steak) – Clam strips, fried oysters, seafood bake, shrimp & grits, crab rice, seafood pasta alfredo, jambalaya, gumbo, clam chowder,4oz ranch steak, mushrooms, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, grilled onions & peppers, loaded potato soup clam chowder

Sunday: Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner – Crispy chicken, meatloaf, turkey & dressing, beef pot roast, collard greens, baked sweet potatoes, cabbage, cream corn, cabbage beef soup, broccoli cheddar soup

Taco Bell

For a limited time, the chain is offering new Cheesy Street Chalupas, which are served as a bundle of two, featuring traditional street taco ingredients tremixed with premium proteins, all wrapped in chalupa shells that have been stuffed with melted mozzarella and pepperjack cheeses.

Choices are slow-roasted Cantina chicken or grilled, marinated steak, for $5.49.

Ongoing Deals & Discounts

Bob Evans Restaurants

Find more than 30 lunch and dinner combinations for $8.99 or less. Founder, Bob Evans, believed in the importance of family values, like eating meals together, and always worked to support the changing needs of the American family.

According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grocery prices are up more than 8% from this same time last year, due to rising inflation, which has been consistently leading consumers to look for affordable and convenient meal options.

Farm-fresh meals under the “American Values” include  Pick 2 Lunch Combos, start at $6.99, and Dinner Bell Plates, start as low as $7.99. These prices are offered every day and are not a limited-time offer.

Carl’s Jr. & Hardee’s

Join the new rewards program to get your choice of a free Western Bacon Cheeseburger, Famous Star, or Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich.

Domino’s Pizza

The Mix & Match Deal will get you and two or more items on its Mix & Match menu for $5.99. That includes some sticks and medium pizzas options.

Any combo with three-topping pizzas and Dips & Twists will run you $8.

Friendly’s

Join the Friendly’s Sweet Rewards Club and you’ll get a free medium sundae.

Hooters

Make a $30 purchase, and you’ll get $10 off with the code “GET10.” Place an order for $50, and you’ll wind up with $15 off when you use the code “GET15.”

That’s all there is –  there’s no “GET20.”

Olive Garden

The pasta chain is now offering alcohol delivery with $15 bottles of wine and $10 six-packs. You have to order food to get alcohol, and the deal is only available where local laws permit.

Popeyes

Popeyes is offering free contactless delivery through its app with a minimum $20 order.

Quiznos

Get four meals for $29.99. The family meal comes with four 8-inch subs, four bags of chips, and four cookies. Use the code “8026.”

Rubio’s Coastal Grill

Place an order directly through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com to get free delivery on any order of at least $20.

This list of great deals at national chains is updated at the beginning and middle of each month.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are from the restaurant or fast food chain.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA) and is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.

Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter