While we’ve barely digested the glories of National Fried Chicken Day, here comes National Fry Day!
And McDonald’s is celebrating by offering not only free fries for a day, but - if you’re lucky - free fries for life. And they’re also renaming the whole thing.
And, did you hear McDonald’s makes birthday cakes?!
Okay, okay, wait -- a little clarification.
The legendary burger giant has utilized their obvious industry heft to take the formerly named National French Fry Day and rename it World Famous Fan Day.
We are not sure which governing body debated this particular nomenclature. And it seems that most other fast food joints will buck the master and still call it Fry Day anyway.
But let us stop any further debate right there and recognize that, whatever the name, on July 13 this means free fries.
This will also tie into the nationwide launch of the updated McDonald’s MyMcDonalds app and rewards program. When you sign up and buy something, you’ll get free fries.
Things get a little complicated from there with their updated loyalty program, but stick with us because it means more freebies, not just fries.
As USA Today explains, after your first purchase, you’ll automatically get 1,500 points, which is enough points to get a free item in the first tier on your next order and the choice of an order of hash browns, vanilla cone, a McChicken, or a free cheeseburger.
Users also get 100 points for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases. You can order ahead on the McDonald's app, or scan a code in restaurants to earn points.
To get those free fries on National Fry Day, you need to download the McDonald’s app, opt-in to MyMcDonald’s Rewards, and add the deal for medium fries to your cart.
Further, Mickey D’s is also hosting a “World Famous Fan” contest where 66 fans will win 1 million MyMcDonald’s Rewards points, and one fan will win free fries for life.
It’s a Twitter contest -- fans will need to share a tweet about why they're the most loyal McDonald's fan. Real super fans will judge the contest, the chain said.
To be specific, the winner will win two medium fries per week for 50 years. The prize value of $19,685 includes $5,905 that the winner can use for taxes or at his or her discretion, the rules say.
When you eat so many fries that you need to look into tax deductions, you really love French fries!
Of all the MyMcDonalds broohaha, Alycia Mason, McDonald's USA vice president of digital customer experience and media, said, "We’re eager to repay years of fandom by giving them what they love most about McDonald’s — our delicious food — for years to come.”
So appreciative are McDonald’s that they’re extending World Famous Fan Day to July 20.
But there seems to be another burgeoning fast food holiday, as Wendy’s is celebrating the one year anniversary of their own loyalty program, Wendy’s Rewards, by giving members a free burger today, July 8.
As seems to be the trend, there are a few ways to get the freebie, and as USA Today notes, you can apply the one-day mobile offer to orders placed on the app, or scan the offer in restaurants or the drive-thru.
And it seems Wendy’s is well aware of McDonald’s new app rollout, as a funny little winking press statement from the company said,
"To show fans we don’t clown around when it comes to loyalty – like some others – and to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the Rewards program launch, Wendy’s is offering a FREE Dave’s Single with purchase via an exclusive in-app offer on July 8.”
Wendy’s launched their loyalty program last July. Members earn points that they can cash in for free nuggets, a Frosty, a burger, salads, and other items.
Both chains' loyalty programs will continue to offer other coupons and specials throughout the year, of course, like the one from Wendy’s, offering a small Frosty-ccino or fresh brewed coffee with a purchase and an exclusive in-app offer, through July 31.
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