New York: Friday is National French Fry Day. The date: July 11. The place: Everywhere fries are sold. The reason: To celebrate one of America’s most beloved side dishes. The hook: Dozens of restaurants are offering fries — free or discounted — to mark the occasion.
National French Fry Day, now officially held on the second Friday of July, has become a marketing and fan-favorite event for fast food lovers and brands alike. What started as an unofficial food holiday has grown into a national celebration featuring competitive deals, themed promotions, and even a pizza with a French fry crust.
“Fry lovers deserve a proper Fryday,” said Frances Allen, CEO of Checkers & Rally’s, which spearheaded the date change in 2022 to align the holiday with Fridays. “It’s more fun, more relevant, and better for business.”
From McDonald’s free fries in the app to Wendy’s Hot & Crispy Fridays and Tombstone’s fry-crust pizza sweepstakes, this year’s promotions are both abundant and inventive.
Also Read: Free Slurpee Day 2025: How to Get Your 7-Eleven Frozen Drink on July 11
20+ National French Fry Day 2025 Deals You Can Actually Get Today
1. McDonald’s
- Get two free medium fries with any $1+ app purchase — one on Friday, another through Sunday (July 13).
- Ongoing: Free medium fries every Friday with app purchase through Dec. 26.
2. Wendy’s
- Free any-size fries with any purchase in the Wendy’s app.
- Every Friday = Free fries until the end of 2025.
3. Burger King
- Free fries of any size with $1+ purchase for Royal Perks members, once a week.
4. Checkers & Rally’s
- Trade in a competitor’s fry receipt to receive a free large Famous Seasoned Fries. No purchase required.
5. Smashburger
- Free fries with any $1+ purchase. Use code FRYDAY25 online, in-store, or in-app.
6. Shake Shack
- Free fries with any purchase using code FREEFRY via app, site, or kiosk.
7. Jack in the Box
- Free fries (any size or type) for app/site orders. Must be a Jack Pack member.
8. Fatburger
- Free Fat or Skinny Fries with any burger/sandwich purchase online using code FRYDAY25 (valid through July 13).
9. Wayback Burgers
- $1 fries, no additional purchase required.
10. Carl’s Jr. / Hardee’s
- Free large fries for loyalty members with any purchase via app or site.
- Spend $5+ at Hardee’s to earn a Fry Pass (valid for daily free fries through Dec. 31).
11. Sonic
- Free medium fries or tots with any app purchase on July 11.
12. Arby’s
- Buy a Cheesesteak, get free fries on your next visit. Potato Cakes are back for a limited time.
13. Taco Cabana
- Buy one Loaded Fries, get one free. Valid July 11 only.
14. DoorDash
- DashPass members can buy one Chicken Fries at Burger King, get one free.
15. Miami Grill
- 99¢ fries with any purchase on July 11.
16. Penn Station East Coast Subs
- Free small fries with sub purchase (July 11–13).
17. Huey Magoo’s
- Free extra crinkle fries with $10 purchase.
18. Red Robin
- Unlimited bottomless fries all day, as usual.
19. Lion’s Choice
- Free fries with any in-app purchase.
20. Sheetz
- Free bag of fries in-app (July 11–13).
21. Good Times
- Free small crinkle fries from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
22. White Castle
- Free cheese fries with any order using code CHEESY (July 11–13).
23. Tombstone Pizza
- Launching French Fry Style Crust Pizza. Win a free one by entering their sweepstakes at tombstone.com/frenchfrysweeps through July 25.
Why Did National French Fry Day Move to Friday?
Previously celebrated on July 13, National French Fry Day was shifted to the second Friday in July after a successful campaign by Checkers & Rally’s in 2022. According to the National Day Calendar, “Fryday” simply made more sense.
The adjustment also allowed restaurants to market deals more effectively and capitalize on weekend foot traffic. In 2025, the second Friday falls on July 11.
A Side of Culture: Why Americans Love French Fries
French fries — despite their misleading name — originated in Belgium, not France. But in the U.S., they’ve become a staple across diners, drive-thrus, and dinner tables.
“Fries are the ultimate comfort food,” said food historian Jennifer Thompson. “They’re nostalgic, cheap, customizable, and shareable.”
Whether crinkle-cut, curly, or loaded with toppings, fries continue to unite Americans in their love for crispy carbs — especially on Fryday.
