The 2025 NCAA Tournament has officially begun — and so have the mouth-watering food deals.
On Tuesday, March 18, the first rounds of the First Four began with excited fans cheering on the collegiate teams with the hopes of their picks advancing through the single-elimination-style basketball competition.
With so much excitement in the air, popular fast-food chains and restaurants are rolling out special discounts and freebies to match the vibe. With free burgers and buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deals on fan-favorite items, customers can take advantage of most of these deals from now until the Final Four in early April.
Check out the slam dunk deals below that’ll enhance the game-viewing experience and keep sports lovers fed and hydrated.
Applebee’s: Between March 18 and March 21, Applebee’s customers can get 50-cent boneless wings on to-go orders through the chain’s app or website. The wings can be purchased in increments of five wings with a maximum of 10 orders. This offer is not valid on third-party delivery websites.
Buffalo Wild Wings: On March 20, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a BOGO deal on boneless wings. This offer is valid for dine-in, takeout and delivery orders.
Dave & Buster’s: The sports bar is offering 20 wings for $20 and $5 draft beers (valid with 22-ounce domestic favorites) on March 20, March 21 and April 7 during the games. Throughout the tournament, customers can also snag an Eat, Drink, & Play Combo that starts at $19.99 per person. Plus, guests can add the new Unlimited Game Play Upgrade for an additional 90 minutes of unlimited gaming.
Grubhub: Between March 18 and April 7, Grubhub is offering a few deals from multiple restaurants and brands. Amazon Prime members can use Grubhub+ to get $5 off two orders or over $20. Use the code HOOP5 to redeem. This offer can be used twice per subscriber. Customers can redeem a free Wendy’s Baconator on orders over $20 during the First Four to Second Round and Championships; a free Popeyes Chicken Sandwich on orders over $15 during the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds, and another BOGO offer on items from Jimmy John’s Regular Favorite menu on orders over $20 during the Final Four and Championships.
Insomnia Cookies: Rewards members can redeem a $1 deluxe cookie the day after a game goes into overtime from now through April 7. Customers can also enjoy the following a “Sweet 16” Pack that includes 16 classic cookies for the price of 12. Plus, for in-store purchases, customers who sport school or fan apparel will receive a free classic cookie.
KFC Dunk It Bucket: The fried chicken chain is offering a new Dunk It Bucket, which includes two Original Recipe Tenders, one individual size of Secret Recipe Fries, five Mashed Potato Poppers, and your choice of three KFC sauces for $7. KFC is also offering a Double Dunk It Bucket that has 10 Original Recipe Tenders, two individual sizes of Secret Recipe Fries, 10 Mashed Potato Poppers, four Biscuits, and your choice of six KFC sauces for $25.
Red Baron: The pizza chain is hosting a sweepstakes that can earn customers big bucks. Through March 20 at noon (Eastern Standard Time), basketball aficionados can comment on the brand’s Instagram post with the name of an underdog team that they believe will make it to the Final Four. According to the caption, one fan who predicts the correct squad to advance will score $15,000.
Shake Shack: From now through April 7, fans can score a free Avocado Bacon Burger with any orders over $10 made via the in-store kiosk, online, or using the Shack App for delivery and pick-up. Customers can use the promo code SHOWDOWN to redeem. This offer is limited to one free burger per order. See participating locations.
Smashburger: Smashburger has exclusive food delivery service deals with DoorDash (users can save $9 off a purchase of $30 and non-users can save $7.50 off $30) and Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Smashburger.com (customers can save $8 on orders of over $30). These deals are valid during the tournament days including, March 19 through 24, March 28 through 31, April 4 and April 8.
Wendy’s: The fast food chain announced on Monday, March 17, that it will sell its Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers and Double Stack cheeseburgers for $1, from now through Sunday, April 13. With an additional purchase, the offer can only be redeemed exclusively in the Wendy’s app.
Yard House: As part of the brand’s “IPA Madness” event, guests can purchase a beer flight of four IPAs and a full pint of their choosing for only $15. Customers who take part in the event will earn a $5 “pint pass,” which gets them free beer refills once a day when they purchase a food item. This offer is valid through April 7 at participating locations.
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