French fries are already a celebrated side dish, but there’s still a special day to praise them: National French Fry Day on Friday, July 11.
The made-up holiday had been celebrated on July 13 for many years, but fast-food chains Checkers and Rally’s organized an online petition in 2022 to have the second Friday of July enshrined as the annual date for National French Fry Day, according to the National Day Calendar. This year, the french fry celebration also coincides with National Slurpee Day.
Along with hamburgers, french fries rank highest on The Most Popular American Dishes, according to a regularly updated poll by online market research firm YouGov. Each earned 86% popularity among American adults, surpassing grilled cheese and fried chicken, both of which earned an 85% popularity rating.
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Americans eat about 17 pounds of fries annually, according to a new survey of 5,000 U.S. adults conducted by Talker Research for McCain Foods, which makes frozen potato products served globally.
Here’s a roundup of specials available this Fry-day across the U.S.
McDonald’s: Free fries on Fridays
An ongoing special at McDonald’s gets you a free medium order of fries with any purchase of $1 or more in the McDonald’s app every Friday through Dec. 26, 2025. The fast-food chain is sweetening the deal this week to get one additional free medium order with a $1 minimum purchase in the app through Sunday, July 13.
Wendy’s makes Fridays Fry-Day
Fridays are also special at Wendy’s where you can find a digital offer in the Wendy’s app for a free any size order of Hot & Crispy Fries with purchase on July 11 – and on all of the remaining Fridays in 2025.
The deal must be redeemed in the Wendy’s app or on the website. (Account registration required; excludes Topped Fries, Fuego Fries and Seasoned Potatoes.)
More National French Fry Day deals
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Arby’s: When members of the Arby’s Rewards loyalty program make an online order of an à la carte Arby’s Cheesesteak sandwich, they get a free order of fries (any size) on their next visit (redeemable for seven days after issued, offer good through Aug. 10).
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BJ’s Restaurants: Get the new All-American Smash Burger Pizookie Meal Deal – double cheeseburger, personal Pizookie dessert and order of fries – for $13. Also on the menu for a limited time: BJ’s Fryckle Fries, which are thin-cut dill pickle fries served with sriracha aioli and ranch dip.
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Burger King: Royal Perks rewards members can get a free order of fries (any size) with a purchase of $1 or more; offer good once per week for a limited time.
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Checkers & Rally’s: On July 11, bring in the receipt for a competing restaurant’s fries and get a free Large Famous Seasoned Fries at any participating location. No purchase necessary.
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City BBQ: Members of the City Rewards loyalty program can get a free order of fries or three-cheese-baked Mac & Cheese on July 11. Redeem the deal in the app or online.
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Del Taco: Del Yeah! Rewards members can get a free regular fry with any purchase on July 11. Orders must be placed with the rewards app or online (to redeem the offer in the app, go to the “Rewards/Your Offers” section and save the deal, then opt to either Checkout or Order in Person).
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Dog Haus: Members of the Haus Rewards loyalty program get a free side of fries on July 11 with a purchase of $10 or more. Find the deal in the app.
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Farmer Boys: Members of the Very Important Farmer loyalty program can get an order of Always Crispy Fries for $1 with any $5 minimum purchase on July 11 when they order in the VIF app.
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Fatburger: From July 9 through July 13, get a free order of Fat or Skinny Fries with any burger or sandwich purchase made online (use code FryDay25).
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Houston TX Hot Chicken: On July 11, get free fries with the purchase of any meal, online or takeout, when you use the HHC loyalty app.
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Huey Magoo’s: Get an extra side of crinkle-cut fries with a $10 purchase on July 11.
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Jack in the Box: Get free fries on July 11 with any order if you have signed up for the Jack Pack Rewards loyalty program in the Jack app or on jackinthebox.com.
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Krystal: Order online and spend $10 or more on July 11 and get a free small order of fries (use code FRYMEUP).
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Long John Silver’s: From July 11 to July 18, members of the Seacret Society loyalty program will find a deal for free fries in the Long John Silver’s mobile app. You can also get an individual-sized order of crispy waffle fries for free with a $5 purchase.
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Penn Station East Coast Subs: The Cincinnati-based fast-casual sandwich franchise is giving customers a free small order of fries July 11-13 when they purchase a small (or larger) Penn Station sub.
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Sheetz: Find a deal for one free bag of fries from July 11 to July 13 in the Sheetz app (look under the Offerz tab in the app).
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Smashburger: With any purchase of $1 or more on July 11, get a free order of fries – you can choose from french fries, Smashfries, Sweet Potato Fries, or Scorchin’ Hot Fries. The deal is good in-store, online, or in-app using the code FRYDAY25 (not valid on third-party delivery apps).
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Sonic: Get a free medium Tot or Fry order with any purchase on July 11.
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Taco Cabana: Buy one order of Loaded Fries, get one free on July 11.
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Tombstone Pizza: From July 11 to July 25, go online to www.tombstone.com/frenchfrysweeps to win a chance to try the pizza maker’s new French Fry Style Crust Pizza, which has crust made with potatoes. The new pizzas will become available starting this month in two flavors, Loaded Bacon Cheddar and Chili Cheese, at Walmart and other retailers.
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Wayback Burgers: All members of the Wayback Rewards loyalty program can get a regular order of fries for $1, no additional purchase necessary (offer good in-restaurant, online, or through the Wayback app).
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Whataburger: Get a medium order of fries for 75 cents from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 11 when you order online or in the Whataburger App (you also get a free Whataburger when you download and create an account).
Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National French Fry Day 2025: Where to get free fries, deals
