US economy

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with free champagne, specials and other deals



Toast your sweetheart with a glass of free champagne Thursday.

Eat your heart out with heart-shaped treats and meals.

And stretch your budget this Valentine’s Day by saving on the big meal. Fancy dining and casual restaurants alike are offering special menus and deals.

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual holiday survey, total holiday spending is forecast at a record $20.7 billion, a 6 percent increase over last year.

The survey shows only 34 percent of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate with an evening out and will spend an estimated $3.5 billion. 

An analysis of 42,000 local restaurants by Womply, a small business software provider, found Valentine’s Day to be a typical day last year

“If you want to wine and dine your sweetheart, Valentine’s Day is a great day to go out to eat – especially if you don’t insist on a high-end eatery,” said Brad Plothow, Womply vice president of brand and communications. “It might not be as hard as you think to get a table.” 

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Romantic getaways: 5 affordable last-minute trip ideas for Valentine’s Day

Free champagne

Order a glass of bubbly with either your Galentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day at any bar or restaurant and save the receipt.

Ibotta, a mobile shopping and cashback app, is giving users a free glass of champagne, up to $5.

To get the rebate, download the free app, open the Restaurants and Bars category starting Wednesday, tap the “Sparkling Wine – Any Brand offer,” then buy a glass of champagne and upload an itemized receipt to get the $5 reward.

In order to get the money back for your glass of champagne, you’ll need to earn a minimum of $20 in your Ibotta account. 

Aside from champagne, you can earn cash back on everything from groceries to travel with the app, which has launched in late 2012,. 

Early deals

Valentine’s Day is Thursday, but Wednesday is a day to spend with friends – it’s Galentine’s Day. Look below because some Valentine’s Day deals start early and continue through the weekend.

Bahama Breeze Island Grille: The chain is celebrating Galentine’s Day with a three-day deal. Through Wednesday, the chain’s signature Bahama Mama drink and Chocolate Island dessert are $5 each.

Pretzelmaker: Wear pink to participating stores Wednesday, and get a buy-one-get-one cinnamon sugar pretzel deal when they say “On Wednesday, we wear pink.” The pretzels are pink through Feb. 28.

Valentine’s Day deals

Auntie Anne’s: Buy one heart-shaped pretzel Thursday, get one free with a coupon at www.auntieannes.com/heart-shaped-pretzels.

Bakers Square: Thursday through Saturday, Bakers Square has a Sweetheart Meal Deal. Get two entrees from a special menu and two slices of pie for $19.99.

Buca di Beppo: A heart-shaped lasagna is part of the Valentine’s Classic Love Package, a $49.99 dine-in only special, which also includes a salad and mini chocolate chip cannoli.

California Pizza Kitchen: Wednesday through Sunday, get an appetizer, two entrees and one dessert from a “Sweet Deal for Two” special menu for $35.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Through Sunday, get a four-course meal for two with prices starting at $45.

Caulipower: The cauliflower crust pizza brand has a special buy-one-get-one free offer through Valentine’s Day. Learn more at CaulMeMaybe.com.

Cicis Pizza: Kids 10 and younger get a kid’s buffet for 99 cents Thursday with the purchase of an adult buffet and drink and a coupon.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: From 2 p.m. to close Thursday, get a free drink with any regular or larger size purchase.

Corner Bakery Café: From Wednesday through Saturday, get a buy one, get one free entrée deal. Dine-in only.

Cotton Patch Café: A Sirloin Special is $10.99 Thursday through Sunday.

El Fenix: The Texas-based chain has a “Fajitas for 2” special. Get $19.95 chicken fajitas for two Thursday.

Firehouse Subs: Get a free dessert with a coupon and a purchase at participating locations Thursday. The coupon will be posted on Firehouse’s social media accounts.

Pie Five Pizza: New and existing Circle of Crust rewards members will get an offer for a free dessert to redeem Thursday through Sunday. New members sign up by Friday to get the offer on mobile apps or online at www.piefivepizza.com/circle-of-crust.

Fogo de Chão: Couples who have a full churrasco lunch, dinner or Sunday Brunch at the Brazilian steakhouse Thursday through Sunday, get a complimentary dining card redeemable for a free churrasco lunch, dinner or Sunday Brunch of equal or greater value. The card can be redeemed Feb. 18 through May 2.

Hard Rock Café: The restaurant will have a few special items including the new Sweetheart Shake for Two, a boozy shake served with a custom sweetheart straw for two.

Hooters: Shred a picture of your ex at participating locations or online at www.hooters.com/ShredYourEx and get 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of 10 wings Thursday.

Hurricane Grill & Wings:  Get a three-course meal for two for $30 Thursday.

Jack in the Box: Get a free five-piece Mini Churros, slice of cheesecake or regular shake with any purchase on the mobile app Thursday. Sign up for offers at www.jackinthebox.com/offers.

Maggiano’s: Through Sunday, dine-in to get the “That’s Amore Meal for Two” for $85 per couple, which includes any starter or two side salads, two entrees from a select menu, two beverages and one dessert. There’s also a carryout deal through Sunday.

Max & Erma: Through Thursday, get a dinner for two for $29, which includes two starters, two select entrees and a dessert to share.

Mimi’s Café: A special three-course menu will be available Thursday through Sunday for $19.99 per person.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza: New and existing members of the chain’s Coupon Club will get a coupon for $3 off any large pizza. New members have to sign up prior to Thursday, the company said, at www.mountainmikespizza.com.

Olive Garden: This is a Valentine’s Day takeout special. For $35.99, the dinner for two includes breadsticks, choice of soup or salad, five cheese marinara or alfredo dipping sauce, five cheese ziti al forno or chicken alfredo for a sharable entree and black tie mousse cake or tiramisu for dessert. Plus, there’s an easy way to turn the breadsticks into a bouquet.

Piada Italian Street Food: From 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Piada is offering buy one, get one free on all entrees.

Popeyes: Starting Valentine’s Day and for a limited time, get five pieces of chicken (mixed or tenders), two regular sides and two biscuits for $10.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Get a free cookie Thursday for mentioning the Valentine’s Day special.

Qdoba: Kiss anyone (or anything) Thursday and get a buy-one-get-one entrée for the chain’s “Qdoba for a Kiss” promotion. “From smooching partners to burritos and pictures of celebrity crushes, all kisses are accepted,” the company announced.

Red Lobster: When you dine in at Red Lobster on Valentine’s Day and order a glass of Ava Grace, you’ll get special chocolates, while supplies last.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill: All U.S. locations are offering a special Valentine’s Day three-course prix fix menu for two for $45. This includes choice of an appetizer, two entrees and one dessert.

Scooter’s Coffee: The chain is giving away free Coffee Espresso Chocolate Meltaways Thursday.

Seasons 52: The chain starting celebrating the “Five Days of Valentines” Sunday with a special offer each day. On Tuesday, mini bottles of Riondo Prosecco are $5 each. On Wednesday, purchase an entree at select locations and “add endless bubbles of Riondo Prosecco to your dinner experience for $14.95.” And if you get engaged at Seasons 52 on Valentine’s Day, get a free “champagne toast at your special table every time you dine for one year.” Learn more at www.seasons52.com.

Starbucks: The coffee giant’s Cherry Mocha drink is available through Valentine’s Day.

Tony Roma’s: From Thursday through Sunday, the restaurant has a special “Better Half Valentine’s Special” offer and special menu at participating locations.

Waffle House: For the 12th year in a row, 200 select Waffle House restaurants will be taking reservations for a special Valentine’s Day dinner Thursday. Find participating locations and contact information for locations at www.wafflehouse.com/valentine.

White Castle: The fast-food restaurant is taking reservations at participating locations for seating 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Some locations also are taking reservations Friday. Make reservations and learn more at www.whitecastle.com.

More Valentine’s Day:

Waffle House is taking reservations, but only for Valentine’s Day

Starbucks’ Cherry Mocha drink available now through Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day travel ideas: TripAdvisor names the most romantic hotels in the world

This zoo will name a cockroach after your ex for Valentine’s Day

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko



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