Eating out doesn’t have to be expensive. Restaurant apps offer deals

Eating out doesn’t have to cost a lot. In fact, several restaurants are offering deals worth taking advantage of for you and your family, and most of them simply require downloading an app. Take a look at some of what I’ve found.

Chili’s: For a limited time, download the Chili’s app and create a MyChili’s+Plenti account and you’ll receive an offer for free chips and your choice of salsa, queso or fresh guacamole, valid for two weeks after signing up. You’ll also receive a coupon for a free dessert on your birthday and other bonus offers.

Jamba Juice: Download the Jamba Juice app, sign up for rewards, activate your account and you’ll receive a $3 Jamba insider reward offer to spend on your next purchase, valid for 30 days after joining. You’ll also receive a free small birthday smoothie, personalized offers and more.

Krispy Kreme: New Krispy Kreme rewards members can receive a free glazed doughnut. Download the Krispy Kreme app and sign up for rewards. Within 24 hours, you should receive an email confirming your free doughnut.

Moe’s Southwest Grill: Download the Moe’s Southwest Grill app and sign up for the Rockin’ Rewards Program. You’ll receive an offer for a free cup of queso or a free burrito, valid for seven days after signing up. You’ll also receive a free burrito on your birthday, and you’ll earn 10 points for every $1 you spend.

Panera Bread: For a limited time, download Panera Bread’s app, sign up for a MyPanera account, and you’ll receive an offer for a free pastry, valid for two months after signing up. Plus, if you add your email to the mailing address, you’ll receive a personalized reward. You’ll also get a treat on your birthday and rewards every month, such as free coffee or bagels.

Sonic: Download the Sonic Drive-In app, sign up and verify your MySonic account via email to receive an offer for a free medium slush, valid for a month after signing up. You’ll also be able to activate other rewards.

▪  Krispy Kreme is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the original glazed doughnut on July 14. Buy a dozen doughnuts of any kind and get a dozen original glazed for 80 cents.

▪  Baskin-Robbins will serve free slices of its new mint chocolate chip polar pizza on July 14 in honor of National Ice Cream Month. Stop by any participating Baskin-Robbins from noon to 5 p.m. The pizza features a double-fudge brownie crust and mint chocolate chip ice cream topped with Oreo cookie pieces, fudge and marshmallow topping.

▪  IHOP is celebrating its 59th anniversary July 18 by serving a short stack of pancakes for 59 cents at participating restaurants. The offer is for dine-in only.

▪  Noodles & Company is celebrating National Mac and Cheese Day on July 14 with a free small mac and cheese for every order of a regular sized entrée. Valid at participating restaurants only.

▪  Wendy’s is offering a small frosty for 50 cents for the rest of the summer, in vanilla or chocolate.

▪  Graeters is celebrating National Ice Cream month with a $1.47 single dip sugar cone on July 16.

▪  Throughout July, participating Burger Kings are offering classic grilled hot dogs for 79 cents.

▪  Through July 16, Red Robin is offering 20 percent off your to-go order when you order online and use the promo code YUMMM20 at checkout. This offer can be used once a day at participating restaurants.

▪  Save 50 percent on all pizzas at Domino’s through July 16 when you order online.

▪  BJ’s Restaurant is offering a new buy-one-get-one-free entree coupon with the purchase of two beverages. Go to the restaurant website and click on the “get the offer!” link. The coupon is valid through July 15.

Other deals

▪  Toys R Us is having a free Geoffrey’s Day event on July 15. Children 6 and younger can take home free stickers, try new toys and games, and get free coloring sheets from 1 to 3 p.m.

▪  From 1 to 4 p.m. July 23, participating Verizon TCC stores will give away backpacks with school supplies. Limit one per child, and the child must be present. Call a store near you to make sure it is participating.

▪  Lexington is partnering with the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station to offer Fayette County residents a free trash disposal day for non-hazardous household waste from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15 at the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station, 1505 Old Frankfort Pike. Fayette County residents may dispose of as much as one pickup truck load of household waste. Bulky items, including mattresses, furniture, and as many as four tires off their rims, will be accepted.

This story was originally published July 12, 2017 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Eating out doesn’t have to be expensive. Restaurant apps offer deals."