March Madness food: Free donuts at Krispy Kreme, Taco Bell Nacho Fries, McDonald’s deals and more

March Madness is about more than brackets. 

The NCAA college basketball tournament, which continues through early April, also is about food.

And restaurants are upping their game with deals. Food deals are in prime time for March Madness. 

On Thursday, McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme, Taco Bell and more kick off new deals, some of which are freebies or close to it. 

March 24 also is National Cocktail Day and National Cheesesteak Day. 

The following offers are available at participating locations nationwide Thursday unless otherwise stated. Some deals may require a mobile app, and most are while supplies last. Offers can vary by franchise, so check with your closest location.

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Krispy Kreme free donut when you show your bracket

Thursday through Sunday (March 27), participating Krispy Kreme shops throughout the U.S. are giving away a freebie. Customers who “show their bracket – for any competition and in any form (on paper, in an app, etc.) – will receive one free Original Glazed Doughnut each day.”

Krispy Kreme also announced that fans who join Krispy Kreme Rewards can get a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for $1 with the purchase of any regularly priced dozen through April 4.

Learn more at Krispykreme.com/promos/bracketseason.

Taco Bell free Nacho Fries through Saturday

Taco Bell is giving away free offers of Nacho Fries Thursday through Saturday with its app and a $1 minimum purchase. Taco Bell Rewards members can get the app deal once per day for in-store or drive-thru pickup orders.

Through Sunday, spend $20 or more before taxes, fees and gratuities and get $5 off your order for delivery at participating locations for users who place an order on the Uber Eats or Postmates websites or apps.

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McDonald’s March Madness deals

McDonald’s has new deals for March Madness in addition to several ongoing deals on its app and with the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program. Offers and daily deals can vary by account and region.

Here are the March Madness specials:

• Thursday: 30 cents Baked Apple Pie
• Sunday: 80 cents McChicken
• April 2: 40 cents 4-piece Chicken McNuggets
• April 4: $2 Big Mac

Don’t have the app? McDonald’s says on its website that you’ll get a free large fries when you download the app and join MyMcDonald’s Rewards through March 31. Then after your first purchase, you get the choice of Hash Browns, Vanilla Cone, McChicken or a Cheeseburger for free.

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McDonald’s McDelivery DoorDash deals

McDonald’s also has delivery deals through DoorDash Friday through Sunday:

Free Sausage McMuffin with Egg: From Friday through Sunday, get a free Sausage McMuffin with Egg with purchase of $20 (during breakfast hours) through McDelivery via DoorDash using promo code MCMUFFIN.

Free Crispy Chicken Sandwich: From Friday through Sunday, get a free Crispy Chicken Sandwich with purchase of $20 or more (during non-breakfast hours) through McDelivery via DoorDash using promo code BASKETBALL.

Wendy’s March Madness deals

Wendy’s has several deals on its mobile app for a limited time. The chain says it is the “Official Breakfast” and the “Official Hamburger” of March Madness.

Deals include:

• $1 Dave’s Single: Through April 10, Wendy’s will have singles for $1 via mobile order on the app. The deal will refresh daily.
• Half-off breakfast: Get half off your entire Wendy’s breakfast purchase when ordered in the app with mobile order through March 31.  The deal refreshes daily.
• $3 off orders of $15 or more: Get $3 off any order of $15 or more through the Wendy’s app through April 10. The deal will be refreshed daily.
• BOGO $1 premium chicken sandwich: This deal will refresh weekly. Buy one premium chicken sandwich and get a second for $1 through April 10 with a mobile offer.

Charleys Philly Steaks National Cheesesteak Day

Charleys Philly Steaks is celebrating National Cheeseteak Day with a contest where a year of free cheesesteaks, Charleys gift cards and more are up for grabs.

According to the chain, 12 grand prize winners will be chosen to receive a year of free cheesesteaks (2 cheesesteaks per month for 12 months); five winners will be chosen to receive a $100 gift card and 10 will win a $25 gift card.

For entering the contest, you’ll get a special National Cheesesteak Day offer.

The company says fans “can sign up using this link and then by clicking the link provided via text, once the contest goes live on March 24. Participants can earn an ‘extra heads up’ by downloading the Charleys Rewards app, following Charleys on Instagram and getting friends to join in on the fun. Winners are chosen based on the fastest respondents to the contest launch.”

Capriotti’s National Cheese Steak Day

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop said it is “offering a buy one, get one FREE half size cheese steak on National Cheese Steak Day.” 

To get this deal, you need to have the CAPAddicts Rewards app and offer must be applied at checkout.

Applebee’s National Cocktail Day: $5 Saintly Sips

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar has the Tipsy Leprechaun and Pot O’ Gold Colada Saintly Sips available for $5 each, according to its website.

Chili’s Grill & Bar Cocktail Day $5 Margarita

Chil’s $5 Margarita of the Month for March is the Lucky Jameson, which is made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec and fresh sour.

Domino’s deal: $3 coupon for carryout orders

For a limited time, Domino’s will give you a $3 “tip” to order your pizza online and pick it up yourself instead of choosing delivery.

Make a carryout order through May 22 and get a $3 coupon code to redeem the following week on a carryout order of $5 or more before tax and gratuity.

Also, earn points to redeem for free pizza with the chain’s Piece of the Pie rewards program that you can sign up for at Dominos.com.

Chuck E. Cheese spring deal

Chuck E. Cheese said its Spring-tastic Family Fun Pack is available through April 24 for delivery or carryout. For $34.99, get two large pizzas, Unicorn Cotton Candy, a goody bag and spring activity sheet, and 250 e-tickets for your next Chuck E. Cheese visit.

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