April may have spring showers and flowers, but for most Americans the month stands out as a time of paying taxes. Restaurants are attempting to alleviate some of the pain by offering deals to draw in those weary of writing checks to revenue collectors.
On Thursday, Dairy Queen will send its “Blizzardmobile” to Washington, D.C., where it will park from noon to 1 p.m. outside the Internal Revenue Service building offering free Mini Blizzards to all taxpayers and accountants toiling at the tax deadline.
The event also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the ice cream treat. The new Mini Blizzards, about half the size of a 12-ounce version, are scheduled to be available at Dairy Queen locations in August. The Blizzardmobile is on a 25-city, five-month tour of the U.S. and Canada to promote the anniversary.
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro on Thursday is offering a 15 percent discount to encourage customers across the country to celebrate the end of tax season with extra savings.
“Whether or not you’re getting a tax refund this year, you can enjoy a great value at P.F. Chang’s,” said Rick Tasman, the chain’s chief operating officer. “Our Tax Relief promotion rewards our customers and shows how much we appreciate their business.”
Seattle-based Taco Del Mar on Thursday is offering a coupon on its website, www.tacodelmar.com, for a free taco at any location nationwide.
“A tasty taco served up in a beach-themed environment — at no cost — is the perfect way to put tax day behind you. This promotion was incredibly well received by customers last year and a fun way for our restaurant owners to bring in some new faces. This is a fiscal stimulus offer everyone can use and share with friends and family,” said Elizabeth Andreini, Taco Del Mar’s chief marketing officer.
IHOP aims to “maximize guests’ deductions” by offering a Kids Eat Free dinner promotion all month between 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily at participating locations throughout the 1,456-unit chain. IHOP is owned by Glendale, Calif.-based DineEquity Inc.
The offer is valid for children 12 and under and includes one free kid’s meal with each adult entree purchased. Beverages are not included unless specified on the Just for Kids menu and the offer is for dine-in only.
“IHOP’s popular Kids Eat Free promotion is an example of how we offer families across the nation the chance to enjoy a great meal, close to home, without trading value or quality,” said Carolyn O’Keefe, IHOP’s senior vice president of marketing.
On tax day April 15, the recently opened Townhouse Kitchen & Bar in Sherman Oaks, Calif., is offering “tax-free dining” on its entire menu all day. Known for its California-style comfort food, the offer includes cocktails such as the strawberry-basil martini and cucumber martinis, as well as 30 beers on tap and an extensive wine list.
Atlanta-based Cinnabon is giving away bite-sized versions of its cupcakes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 15,at participating stores. The cupcake promotion is paired with an essay contest, running through Tax Day, that offers $100 Cinnabon gift card to the guest who best describes their love of frosting. Cupcake flavors include chocolate, vanilla, carrot cake and vanilla cake infused with cinnamon.
Jack in the Box is shifting the fiscal relief to the day after taxes are due, April 16 or “Fry Day,” by offering guests a free small order of the 2,200-unit chain’s new-and-improved French fries. No purchase is necessary, but the giveaway is limited to one free order per customer.
Introduced last month, the new fries have a crispier outside texture that aims to enhance the potato flavor and helps retain temperature. Typically, the fries are available at participating Jack in the Box restaurants for $1.39, $1.79, or $1.99 for a small, medium or large order, respectively.
Casual-dining seafood chain McCormick & Schmick’s is jumping on the tax-promotion bandwagon with offers for bar patrons on April 15 and tax preparers on April 16.
Riffing off 1040 forms, the chain is offering $10.40 dinner entrees, available at the bar on April 15. In addition all customers at the bar are will get a gift certificate for $10.40 to use at a later date, while supplies last.
“When April rolls around, we recognize that American taxpayers need a break – and this year is no exception,” said Bill Freeman, chief executive of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants. “In fact, this year we’re extending the relief for the first time by adding a special offer on April 16 especially for hard-working professional tax preparers.”
On April 16, professional tax preparers can get a free dessert with the purchase of an entree at lunch or dinner and can exchange a business card for a $10.40 gift certificate.
The San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels is offering a “Sweet Tax Relief” program throughout April at select locations, including the Hotel Palomar in Los Angeles. Guests at the hotel and its restaurant BLVD 16, for example, will not have to pay taxes through April 30.
“Tax season can be a stressful time of year and this fun promotion is a great way for travelers to save a few dollars on the road and enjoy some sweet treats,” said Niki Leondakis, Kimpton’s chief operating officer.
At the Allston Yacht Club in Los Angeles, the bar will be offering drinks for $4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. starting Thursday and through the spring.
Mike Dempsey contributed to this report.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
