McDonald’s is giving away free medium fries come July 10 to mark National French Fry Day. The catch is that you’d have to be a Rewards member to redeem the offer, and you’d also have to spend at least a dollar.
The deal is limited to just one per person, and it is only available via the McDonald’s app at participating locations.
Unsurprisingly, National Fry Day has been a go-to for the fast-food giant, using it especially for app-based giveaways. In past company announcements, the chain has tied free-fries offers to both its summer value campaigns and its MyMcDonald’s Rewards program, making the July 10 giveaway less of a one-off than an extension of an existing strategy.
In a 2024 summer promotion, for instance, the burger chain said app users could get free fries of any size on July 13 (as part of the National Fry Day celebration) with no purchase necessary, while a 2021 “World Famous Fan Day” giveaway also offered free medium fries through the app.
This isn’t the only nostalgia play McDonald’s has running right now. The Fried Apple Pie returned on June 23 after a 34-year absence, brought back to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. The treat features signature apple filling wrapped in a golden fried crust.
The item carries a rich family history. The recipe originated from East Tennessee McDonald’s owner-operator Litton Cochran and his wife, Jo, who spent months perfecting the recipe.
Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s owner/operator and the grandson of Litton and Jo Cochran, reflected on its appeal in a statement: “There are certain things that just take you back – and the Fried Apple Pie is one of them. It’s something that people love and remember from growing up.”
McDonald’s didn’t stop at just selling the pie, however. On June 23, the company unveiled a 35-foot version of the dessert off Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois, next to the Rich & Creamy Ice Cream Shop. The oversized attraction remained on display through July 4.
Sources: McDonald’s, PR Newswire, WTAP, McDonald’s Fan Day, People, McDonald’s Free Fries Offer