Restaurant Franchises Honor Dads with Special Menu Items and Promotions
Updated June 13, 2025
On Father’s Day, the third Sunday in June, Americans honor more than 72 million dads, grandfathers, stepfathers and even father figures. But creation of the special day was not without controversy. In fact, it took four presidents over the course of almost six decades to make Father’s Day a national holiday.
Some of the earliest efforts to set aside a day for dads were in the early 1900s by Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children of a widower in Spokane, Wash. She drummed up support with local ministers, merchants, government officials and the YMCA – and succeeded! On the third Sunday in June 1910, the state of Washington celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day. Dodd spent the day delivering presents to fathers with disabilities, while boys from the YMCA decorated their lapels with roses to honor their dads, and ministers devoted their homilies to fatherhood, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The first legislation aimed at making Father’s Day a national holiday went to Congress in 1913, but it didn’t pass, despite support from President Woodrow Wilson. Opposition came from men who “scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving,” according to a historian’s account.
In 1921, President Calvin Coolidge signed a resolution supporting Father’s Day “to establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.” In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed an executive order officially recognizing Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. But it wasn’t until 1972, under President Richard Nixon, that Congress passed an act declaring Father’s Day a national holiday.
Today, there’s no shortage of fans for Father’s Day, which falls on June 15. Restaurants anticipate record sales to exceed $24 billion this year as families take dads out for their favorite meals. And, restaurant franchises will not disappoint, offering a wide variety of special menu items and discounts.
Read on for a compilation of fast-food franchisors recognizing Father’s Day.
Father’s Day 2025: Best Restaurant Deals and Discounts
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Bad Daddy’s is helping dads take a load off this June 15 by discounting its Bad Ass Margarita to just $8! The cocktail is made with fresh lime and Margaritaville Gold Tequila. The restaurant brand is also offering its amber ale for only $4 a pint, and all appetizers are half off during the last two hours of operation.
Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen
Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen’s Father’s Day menu will be available for carry-out, curbside pickup and delivery June 9–15. Highlights include the Chocolate Strawberry Farmer’s Choice with three chocolate chip hotcakes or two slices of thick-cut brioche French toast finished with glazed fresh strawberries, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, powdered sugar and whipped topping; Steak tips and eggs with sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and green onions; Taste of the Farm Trio (pictured above) with slow-roasted turkey, dressing and cranberry relish; ham steaks; and fork-tender pot roast served with carrots, caramelized onions, mashed potatoes, beef gravy and green onions; and Southern country combo with honey butter chicken on a split biscuit and a piece of country fried steak.
Buffalo’s Cafe
The all-American Buffalo’s Cafe wing chain is serving $10 burgers with a choice of endless fries or Buffalo Cafe’s signature tumbleweed chips. The deal is valid at participating locations for dine-in only on June 15.
Denny’s
Just in time for Father’s Day, Denny’s has released a limited-edition PJ set designed to keep dad cozy while enjoying breakfast. The restaurant franchise is also offering $10 off any online order of $30 or more June 13-15 with promo code RADDAD.
Dog Haus
Dog Haus is enticing customers to use its app on Father’s Day by offering quadruple points on all orders.
El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco has a digital exclusive deal in celebration of Father’s Day. The Mexican-inspired brand’s $7.99 meal deal features a classic chicken burrito with a churro, tortilla chips with salsa and a regular drink. For those looking to host a larger celebration, El Pollo Loco also offers catering options including burrito platters, build your own nachos and more.
Fazoli’s
Dads can enjoy a free fettuccine alfredo, or spaghetti with meat sauce or marinara (above) with any entrée purchase on June 15. This deal is only available at participating locations.
Friendly’s
Friendly’s is celebrating fathers with a $5 off lobster roll bounce-back coupon that can be used for a future visit from June 16-30.
Happy Joe’s
Dads eat free at Happy Joe’s Father’s Day buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet — or grab a large pizza at regular price and get a small dessert pizza for free. This deal is valid at participating locations on June 15.
HTeaO
HTeaO is putting a refreshing twist on Father’s Day by giving dads a free energy shot with the purchase of a large tea. HTeaO Energy Shots are tea-based, gluten-free and kosher-certified.
Huey Magoo’s
Huey Magoo’s is making last-minute Father’s Day shopping easier with a gift card deal. A $30 gift card is only $25.
IHOP
IHOP has a great gift card deal in honor of Father’s Day. When guests purchase a $25 gift card, they receive a $5 bonus card. This offer is valid through June 30, and bonus cards expire Aug. 25. Additionally, customers can enjoy 20% off when they order online for pickup or delivery with code IHOP20.
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
All dads can enjoy a free beer at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill – no purchase necessary — on June 15.
Logan’s Roadhouse
What dad doesn’t love a steak dinner and a great gift card deal? Through June 15, Logan’s has a gift promotion: Customers get a $10 bonus card for every $50 in gift certificates they purchase.
Native Grill & Wings
Native Grill & Wings has a great promotion to commemorate Father’s Day: $3 domestic draft pints and $7.50 burgers. These promos are available at participating locations for dine-in only.
Newk’s Eatery
Father’s Day just got sweeter at Newk’s Eatery! Dads receive a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée June 13-15.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nothing Bundt Cakes is celebrating Father’s Day with the HERSHEY’S S’mores Bundt Cake and a $3,000 giveaway. The chocolate cake is baked with HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Chips, graham cracker crumbs and mini marshmallows — all drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with a buttery graham streusel. The #NothingBundtDadSweepstakes gives fans the chance to win a $3,000 Visa gift card or one of 10 $100 gift cards. Participants can enter through the sweepstakes’ website through June 16.
Paris Baguette
Through June 15, Paris Baguette has delightful desserts to sweeten any Father’s Day celebration. For example, Dad’s favorite chocolate Mousse layer cake is six layers of vanilla sponge cake filled with chocolate mousse soft cream and chocolate curls, iced with chocolate mousse soft cream and a ganache drip. The berry best Dad trifle cake is three layers of moist vanilla sponge cake filled with soft cream, fresh strawberries and blueberries and topped with a medley of fresh berries.
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans
PJ’s Coffee is keeping dads caffeinated this Father’s Day by offering them a free hot coffee or cold brew. This deal is valid at participating locations on June 15.
Ponderosa & Bonanza Steakhouses
Ponderosa & Bonanza’s Father’s Day Premium Buffet features an array of grilled, broiled and roasted meats, chicken, seafood, side dishes and decadent desserts starting at just $19.99. This buffet is available at participating locations on June 15. A special ribeye entrée (above) will also be available on Father’s Day.
Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s Caniac Club members can receive a buy-one-get-one-free box combo June 15-16. The offer will load to Caniac Club accounts automatically and is redeemable by swiping the Caniac Club Card or scanning the QR code within Raising Cane’s mobile app. Customers must be registered members by June 14 to redeem this offer.
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Rita’s has a great promotion just in time for Father’s Day: App users can enjoy a $1 small Italian ice with a $1 minimum purchase. This deal is valid at participating locations on June 15.
Round Table Pizza
From June 13-20, select Round Table Pizza locations are discounting all orders for dine-in, carry-out and delivery by 15% with code RTP978.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
Tazaki’s has a great gift card deal through June 15 as a token of appreciation for dads. Guests receive a $10 voucher for every $50 in gift cards they purchase. Vouchers are redeemable through Aug. 31.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays is celebrating fathers by offering them a full rack of ribs for just $19.99. This promotion is available June 15.
The Greene Turtle
The Greene Turtle is giving guests a free shareable menu item with the purchase of a meal on June 15. These sharable items include buffalo chicken nachos, crab dip, mozzarella sticks and pow pow shrimp (above). The offer is available for dine-in only.
Tijuana Flats
Tijuana Flats has a special promotion in honor of Father’s Day: buy one adult entrée and receive a second adult entrée of equal or lesser value for free. This offer is valid for dine-in, carry-out, online and delivery orders at participating locations. The promo code FREEDAD25 is required at checkout.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s has a grill-tastic app exclusive promotion just in time for Father’s Day. On June 15, customers who use the Wendy’s app get a free sandwich when they buy one.
