Halloween 2022: Where To Find The Best Freebies And Deals

As fun as Halloween can be for kids, the thrill wears off somewhat by adulthood, when it's no longer socially acceptable to go trick-or-treating and stockpile massive quantities of fun-sized candy. But if you pay attention, you'll find that many major retailers and restaurant chains actually offer plenty of freebies and deals for the over-16 set, ranging from free cookies to 50-cent corndogs to cheap cocktails — no costume required (usually).

Perhaps surprisingly, Halloween is one of the top 10 holidays on which American consumers drop the most cash (via Digital Marketing Community), so it makes sense that stores and restaurants aim to draw shoppers in with giveaways and discounts. Plus, according to the National Retail Federation, participation in the holiday this year is expected to reach about 69%, versus last year's 65%, finally returning to pre-pandemic levels after two seasons of highly reduced trick-or-treating and other activities — adding extra incentive for businesses to pull out all the stops. So whether you're planning to dress up this October 31 or not, take a look at these compelling deals and find out exactly where to score free doughnuts, pizza, and more.

If you've participated in the popular burrito chain Chipotle's "Boorito" special on previous Halloweens, then you'll be glad to know the deal is back this year, after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic. Launched in 2000, the Boorito event allows any customer wearing a costume to visit any Chipotle on Halloween Day between 3 p.m. and closing time and get a $6 entrée — as long as they also sign up for Chipotle Rewards on the restaurant's app. 

To go along with this spooky deal, Chipotle is also running a sweepstakes for customers who snap a pic of their boorito and post it on BeReal (a popular social media platform among Gen Z) with #booritosweepstakes. If BeReal users also post the picture on their Instagram story and tag Chipotle, they will be entered to win free burritos for a year. 

HalloWEENDY's kicked off on October 27 for customers who have the Wendy's mobile app installed on their phones, according to a press release from the fast food giant. If you stopped by on the first day of deals, you probably enjoyed free large fries with any purchase; on October 28, buy a quarter-pound Dave's Single with cheese and get one free; on Saturday, you can get a free small chili with any purchase; on Sunday, get a BOGO Spicy Chicken Sandwich; and on Halloween Day, grab a free Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger with any purchase.

Who doesn't love pancakes? If you want to treat your kids this Halloween, then head on down to the International House of 'em, where children 12 and under, with the purchase of an adult entrée, can get a free "Scary Face" pancake adorned with whipped cream, candy corn, strawberries, and mini Oreo cookies all this week through Halloween Day. Just be aware, though, that this isn't a breakfast deal: It's only available from 4 to 10 p.m. daily.

7-Eleven, the nationwide convenience store chain which has branched out into higher-end foods such as tacos and espresso drinks in recent years, might not be the first place you think of when the pizza craving hits. But the chain actually sells a lot of 'za, with Halloween being its second-highest selling day for pizza all year, according to a press release — probably because there's not a lot of time to get dinner on the table as kids are changing into their costumes and going out trick-or-treating. All Halloween weekend long, the chain is offering a $5 large pizza at participating stores; plus, members of 7Rewards, the chain's loyalty program, can snag a BOGO large pizza on Halloween Day.

Fried chicken chain Zaxby's is the place to go this Halloween Day if you're in the mood for boneless wings and fries. All day long, according to a press release, customers ordering through the chain's app can score a BOGO Boneless Wings Meal, which includes five boneless wings tossed in a choice of eight dressings, crinkle fries, ranch dressing, and a slab of Texas toast.

If you haven't made it to American comfort fare chain Applebee's yet this October, you'll want to head to your nearest restaurant before the calendar changes over. All month long, according to the chain's website, you can slurp down a $6 Spooky Sip cocktail. Choose between the frozen Dracula's Juice, a mashup between a Patron Silver margarita and a Bacardi Superior daiquiri, and the Tipsy Zombie, which mixes Bacardi Superior rum with passionfruit, pineapple, cherry, lime juice, and melon liqueur, then the beverage is topped with a gummy brain.

As it has done in years past, according to CNET, slush-and-cheeseburger chain Sonic will be offering 50-cent corndogs all day long on Halloween. Plus, if you've got the Sonic app, you can indulge your dogs with a Halloween treat, too. Now through October 31, any order through the app entitles you to a free Wag Cup whipped cream treat for your pup, according to a Facebook post (limit of three free Wag Cups).