Article

Restaurants offering Tax Day specials

The tax man cometh. One of Americans' least favorite days — income tax filing day — is Monday.

April 15, 2016 by Travis Wagoner — Editor, Networld Media Group

The tax man cometh. One of Americans' least favorite days — income tax filing day — is Monday. To help ease the pain, some restaurant chains are offfering Tax Day specials.

Noodles & Company — Noodles & Company will have two promotions to help guests de-stress after completing their taxes, according to a company press release. Guests who bring their children to a participating Noodles & Company location Monday will receive a free Kids Meal with the purchase of any regular entrée.

For those filing digitally this year, the company is also offering an online promotion that gives guests $4 off any $10 purchase placed through order.noodles.com using the code TAXDAY at checkout. The "file online, order online" week-long promotion will run until Monday.

"The team at Noodles & Company understands that tax season can be an especially stressful time for everyone, which is why we wanted to offer our guests not one, but two great offers this month," said Mark Mears, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Noodles & Company. "We may not be able to offer any special tax breaks this year, but we can provide REAL Food, REAL Cooking and REAL Flavors that just might make Tax Day a little more bearable — and delicious."

In addition to its tax-related promotions, Noodles & Company is also hosting an online sweepstakes whereby guests can win a trip to an Orlando theme park in celebration of the company's Asian Exploration menu promotion, now through April 30. To enter, guests should sign up for the company's EClub, update their EClub profile or forward an EClub email to a friend. One grand prize winner will win a trip for four to Orlando, including airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to one of country's largest theme parks, where they can embark on their own Asian Exploration before enjoying a free dinner at a nearby Noodles & Company restaurant. Five second-prize winners will receive a $100 Noodles & Company gift card.

*Please note, restaurants in Missouri and on Long Island, New York, will not be participating in the $4 off $10 Online Orders promotion.

Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt  — Bananas will offer "The CPA," a frostie, featuring strawberries and bananas, with added Red Bull Yellow Edition, according to a company press release. All CPAs will receive The CPA on the house when they present a valid CPA license at participating Bananas locations on Sunday and Monday.

"Everyone needs accountants, especially when the clock is ticking down to the infamous Tax Day deadline of April 18, but their hard work often goes unnoticed," said Leslie Chinea, director of Marketing for Bananas and Villa Restaurant Group. "The creation of The CPA is a fun way for us to say thanks for all of those late nights trying to help us get those big returns!"

Schlotzsky's — Schlotzky's will treat guests to a free small The Original sandwich with the purchase of a 32-ounce drink and a bag of chips Monday at participating Schlotzsky's restaurants nationwide, according to a company press release.

"We know this time of year can be stressful, so we wanted to make it a bit easier by giving our guests a 'tax break' to enjoy their favorite sandwich for free," said Kelly Roddy, president of Schlotzsky's. "With its mouthwatering combination of premium meats and cheeses and fresh veggies, The Original is the ultimate crowd pleaser and the perfect reward after a long day of tax-filing."

The Original sandwich features 13 ingredients served on Schlotzsky's Fresh-from-Scratch oven-baked sourdough buns. The Original is topped with lean smoked ham, genoa and cotto salamis, and melted cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. It's layered with black olives, red onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and a signature dressing.

Bruegger's Bagels — Bruegger's Bagels is bringing back its annual Tax Day break on its Big Bagel Bundles, today through Monday, according to a company press release. Big Bagel Bundles are $10.40 — about a $3.50 "deduction for those who visit Bruegger's Bagels' website to claim the offer.

Each Big Bagel Bundle includes the guest's choice of any 13 bagels from among Bruegger's Bagels' 15-plus New York-style bagel varieties, along with any two tubs of 100-percent made-in-Vermont cream cheese flavors.

"Almost nobody looks forward to Tax Day, but our guests definitely look forward to our $10.40 Big Bagel Bundle each year," said Judy Kadylak, Bruegger's Bagels vice president of Marketing. "Since the tax deadline is pushed to the 18th this year, we wanted to offer our special deal through the weekend and give folks a break leading up to the dreaded day."

To qualify for the "deduction," guests can download the offer at www.brueggers.com. Guests also can join the Bruegger's Bagels eClub to receive a free bagel with cream cheese and other offers throughout the year.

Kona Ice — Kona Ice trucks will be parked at post offices, tax preparation centers and businesses nationwide to hand out free cups of tropical shaved ice and complimentary Hawaiian leis to all who stop by, according to a company press release. The public can find the Kona Ice truck in their community by tweeting their zip code to @KonaIce. Here is a sample tweet for readers to use: "Hey @KonaIce! Where can I find the Kona truck on #TaxDay? My zip code is _____."

Hot Dog on a Stick — Hot Dog on a Stick is offering customers one free Original Turkey Dog on a Stick on Monday, according to a company press release. No purchase or proof of completed taxes necessary.

"If Tax Day has you feeling a little down, a visit to Hot Dog on a Stick is guaranteed to Stick a Smile on Your Face!" said Lisa Merrell, vice president of Hot Dog on a Stick. "We want to give everyone a taste of good old Americana on Tax Day and a free Original Hot Dog on a Stick is a pretty great way to make the day a little less stressful and more fun."

Chuck E. Cheese's — When customers purchase a large Chuck E. Cheese's Thin & Crispy pizza Monday, they will get a second large cheese pizza free, according to a company press release.

"We work hard to give families the best in entertainment and food every time they visit Chuck E. Cheese's, so we want to show our appreciation for their hard work with a special Tax Day treat," said Tom Leverton, CEO of CEC Entertainment Inc. "We are offering a simple, straight-forward gift from our bottom line to yours — if you buy one of our Thin & Crispy pizzas, we will give you another pizza for free."  

The offer is valid for any of Chuck E. Cheese's Thin & Crispy pizzas, including the Thin & Crispy Pepperoni pizza and the Cali Alfredo, with spinach, mushrooms, chicken, sausage, and Alfredo sauce. Chuck E. Cheese's Tax Day BOGO is available Monday only.

About Travis Wagoner

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Travis Wagoner spent nearly 18 years in education as an alumni relations and communications director, coordinating numerous annual events and writing, editing and producing a quarterly, 72-plus-page magazine. Travis also was a ghostwriter for an insurance firm, writing about the Affordable Care Act. He holds a BA degree in communications/public relations from Xavier University.