Fast-Food Franchises Score Big with Fun Promotions and Catering Options for Big Dance Watch Parties
Updated April 2, 2025
March Madness, college basketball’s biggest event, is the ultimate opportunity for hoops fans to enjoy thrilling competition, fill out brackets and indulge in great food at watch parties. This year’s tournament begins on March 18 and wraps up on April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Often referred to as the Big Dance, a term coined by Marquette University basketball coach Al McGuire, March Madness excitement extends beyond the basketball court. Fast-food franchises also get in on the action, vying to be the MVP of watch parties with fun marketing, specials and deals.
Read on to see which brands are making slam dunks with customers during this year’s Big Dance!
March Madness 2025: Best Restaurant Deals and Discounts
Angry Chickz
Angry Chickz, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in Nashville hot chicken, is bringing the heat to 2025 NCAA tournament watch parties with catering options. From tenders to sandwiches, the brand’s spicy chicken promises to be the real MVP of gameday.
Applebee’s
From March 18-23, hoops fans can enjoy 50₵ boneless wings from Applebee’s. The deal only applies to online orders.
Auntie Anne’s
Auntie Anne’s Basketball Buckets (above) are a fun addition to any March Madness gathering. Additionally, qualifying Auntie Anne’s orders of $12 or more will get a waived delivery fee from March 18-24 at participating locations.
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
Tired of the same old pizza and wings at the March Madness watch party? Brooklyn Dumping Shop, a leading Asian-inspired fast-casual franchise, has got you covered. The brand’s bacon cheeseburger (above), mac n’ cheese and kung pao chicken dumplings are a great addition to any gathering.
Buona
Through April 8, Buona is offering free delivery for online orders of $25 or more. This deal is valid with the promo code BUONAMADNESS25.
California Tortilla
When customers make a purchase at California Tortilla from March 25 to April 7, they’ll get to shoot a basketball in-store for a chance to win one of three bounce-back prizes: free chips and queso (March 25-29); a free order of Taquitos (March 30 – April 3); and a free burrito and bowl (April 4-7). All prizes must be redeemed from April 8-30, and no minimum purchase is required.
Carvel
Carvel is making March Madness even sweeter with a great deal. From March 27-30 and April 5-7, orders of $25 or more placed through DoorDash or Uber Eats at participating locations will be discounted by $5.
Dog Haus
Dog Haus is inviting fans to enjoy March Madness at its locations with an all-day happy hour exclusively on game days. For those watching at home, the hot dog franchise has catering options that feature sausages, hot dogs, sliders, wings, tenders, burritos and more.
Domino’s Pizza
From March 17-23, Domino’s Pizza is discounting all menu-priced pizzas ordered online by 50%. Talk about a slam dunk!
Houston TX Hot Chicken
Houston TX Hot Chicken is bringing the heat to March Madness with an exciting deal! Throughout the entire college basketball championship season, customers can score $5 off their order when they spend $25 or more.
Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s Pizza is fueling March Madness watch parties with game-winning deals. When customers spend $7.99 or more, they can add on a variety of menu items for just $5, $6 or $7 with code MOREMENU. Additionally, all menu-priced pizzas will be 50% off from April 7-13.
McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli is giving its loyalty members a tasty reason to fuel up while watching the Big Dance. From March 20-23, members can enjoy $5 off on delivery orders of $25 or more.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Moe’s Southwest Grill is scoring slam dunks with loyalty members for March Madness. From March 20-23, they get $5 off orders of $20 or more.
Newk’s Eatery
From March 18-29, Newk’s Eatery is celebrating college basketball’s biggest event with a great deal. Guests can enjoy two pizzas for $20 at select locations.
Potbelly
Potbelly is offering free delivery on catering orders of $100 from March 17-30. Fans can unlock this deal with the code FREEDELIVERY when they order via the Potbelly app or website.
QDOBA
QDOBA is bringing back its Burrito Bracket Challenge just in time for March Madness. To participate, QDOBA Rewards members must place three orders — either through the app or in-store — between March 11 and 31 to earn the Championship Reward. Plus, every visit unlocks surprise perks like double points.
For those hosting a watch party, QDOBA’s catering options make game day even better with mouth-watering party packs, including the Ultimate Nacho Bar, Mega Burrito 10-Pack, and Chips & Dips.
Riko’s Pizza
During the Big Dance, hoops fans get in on the action with Riko’s March Pizza Madness Bracket. The brand’s specialty pizzas will face off in a head-to-head competition hosted on Instagram, where participants vote to determine the 2025 champion pie. The winning pizza will then be offered at a 50% discount from April 7-10. To keep the excitement going, Riko’s will offer its “3-4-5 Deal” on Riko’s Pilsner during all men’s and women’s tournament games.
Schlotzsky’s
Schlotzsky’s is making hosting March Madness watch parties easier with a special catering deal. Customers who spend $200 or more get $20 off using the code BREAKFAST20 at checkout.
Smashburger
DashPass subscribers on DoorDash can get $9 off orders of $30 or more from Smashburger. Non-subscribers still save with $7.50 off $30 when ordering through DoorDash. Smashburger fans also enjoy $8 off $30 when ordering through the brand’s website, Uber Eats and Grubhub.
The Sports Bra
The Sports Bra, a pub that is dedicated to female athletics, is celebrating its third anniversary and the women’s NCAA tournament with an online BRAcket. The fans with the best guesses at the end of each round will win a free appetizer at The Sports Bra in Portland. The fan with the top BRAcket at the end of the tournament can choose a $100 gift certificate to use at the pub or the brand’s online store.
Additionally, The Sports Bra and other sports bars came together to form the Battle of the Brackets pool on CBS Sports. Participants are encouraged to put The Sports Bra at the end of their names when they fill out the bracket in order to make it clear which bar they are representing.
Toppers Pizza
For every game day of the women’s and men’s March Madness tournaments, Toppers Pizza is offering the Pizza And 1 Deal. Customers can enjoy $1 Triple Original Topperstix with any large house pizza.
Wendy’s
As the Official Hamburger of March Madness, Wendy’s is looking to be the real MVP with an exclusive in-app deal. Through April 13, customers can enjoy a $1 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or a $1 Double Stack with an additional purchase when using the Wendy’s app.
Wing Snob
Wing Snob released the ultimate party pack just in time fo March Madness. Priced at just $38.99, this crave-worthy bundle features 20 wings, five chicken tenders and two large fries.
Yogurtland
Yogurtland is bringing extra fun to watch parties with catering and delivery options. Guests can create their own fro-yo bar with their favorite flavors and toppings, all delivered fresh in an insulated bag.
