This past summer, July 12 marked a beloved American tradition — National French Fry Day, a time for people to enjoy complimentary fries and exclusive deals from their favorite fast-food chains. This annual celebration occurs on the second Friday of July, a deliberate shift that started in 2022 when fast-food giants Checkers and Rally’s successfully lobbied for the date to always fall on a “Fry-day,” amplifying the spirit of this casual holiday.

French fries have a near-universal appeal in the U.S., standing just behind hamburgers in popularity. According to YouGov’s survey on American cuisine, hamburgers top the list with an 85% popularity rating, closely followed by french fries at 84%, with grilled cheese sandwiches sharing the same ranking. Fries are not only an iconic side dish but have also taken center stage as one of the most popular deep-fried foods, as shown by Ranker’s polls.

This Fry Day, various fast-food chains participated in the festivities by offering enticing deals and freebies, drawing in fry enthusiasts nationwide. Here’s a roundup of some of the most popular offers from leading chains:

McDonald’s: Free Fries Every Friday

McDonald’s celebrated National French Fry Day by offering free fries through its app, giving customers a medium order of fries with any $1 purchase on July 12 and continuing the promotion every Friday through December 27, 2024. On July 13, the day following Fry Day, McDonald’s offered a bonus promotion where app users could enjoy any size fries free of charge with no purchase necessary. New app users also received a free Big Mac with their first $1 purchase.

To add a unique twist to the Fry Day experience, McDonald’s introduced a Special Grade Garlic Sauce, available exclusively through their app. This dipping sauce gave fans a fresh flavor option to enjoy with their complimentary fries.

Burger King: Free Fries for Royal Perks Members

Burger King honored National French Fry Day by extending a free fries offer to members of its Royal Perks loyalty program. Members could redeem a free order of fries with a minimum $1 purchase on July 12 and continue to enjoy this offer every Friday through the end of the year. Additionally, during the July 12-14 weekend, Royal Perks members earned double Crowns, Burger King’s reward points, on purchases including fries.

To celebrate National Grilling Month in July, Burger King added an extra treat for Royal Perks members: a free hamburger with any $1 purchase on Fry Day, enhancing the month’s festivities.

Other Participating Chains

While McDonald’s and Burger King led the promotions, other popular fast-food brands such as Wendy’s and Jack in the Box also offered their own special deals, adding to the Fry Day excitement. Each chain’s social media channels provided details, allowing customers to keep an eye on additional promotions for fry lovers across the country.

The nationwide enthusiasm for National French Fry Day underscores America’s deep-rooted love for fries, reflecting their role in comfort food culture. This casual holiday has become a fun summer tradition, one that celebrates fries in all their crispy, golden glory, reminding Americans to indulge in one of the country’s most iconic snacks