How to celebrate Halloween sustainably this year
Halloween is a huge celebration around the world, with people dressing up in spooky costumes and carving pumpkins to the beat of the season.
Unbranded – Lifestyle
This Friday, October 31st, is Halloween. Even if you don’t plan on decorating your house or dressing up, you can still enjoy Halloween, as many restaurant chains across the country are offering great deals and discounts that day. There are no tricks, it’s all a treat.
More than 56% of respondents plan to decorate their homes for Christmas, and 56% plan to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, according to a survey of more than 5,000 U.S. consumers by research firm Numerator. The study also found that 38% of consumers plan to gather with friends and family, and 17% plan to attend public events such as parades and fireworks.
The survey found that four-fifths of consumers bought candy during the holiday season, and about half planned to buy decorations.
No matter what your Halloween plans are this year, here are some great deals you can use to treat yourself on October 31st.
Chipotle celebrates Halloween with ‘Boorito’ promotion, online costume contest
Chipotle wants you to dress up for its Halloween food sale and participate in an online costume contest.
Chipotle hosts its annual “Boolito” Halloween celebration, offering holiday deals on food to members of the Chipotle Rewards loyalty program who visit the restaurant wearing their spookiest costumes on Friday, October 31st.
This year, Rewards members in costume can purchase an entree for $6 (entree prices typically range from $11 to $15). It’s still a bargain, but in 2019 you could get an entree for $4, and in 2008 you could get a free burrito if you dressed like a burrito.
Chipotle also has plenty of Halloween activities, including a Boolito Costume Contest running from Monday, October 27th through Sunday, November 2nd. Take a photo of yourself in costume and post it on TikTok for a chance to win one of three Chipotle VIP cards worth over $500 (and get 50 free entry codes).
“Bolito started as a simple way to bring people together for Halloween and, over 25 years, has grown into the largest annual celebration of real fans and real food,” Chris Brandt, president and chief brand officer of Chipotle, said in a news release. “Bolito has long served as a runway for guests to show off their creative outfits, so this year we’ll be leveraging TikTok to drive even more excitement and inspiration.”
Chipotle’s Boorito event includes several offers for members of the Chipotle Rewards program and other customers.
- Boorito’s $6 discount starter: Chipotle’s food sale will be available from 3:00 PM local time until closing time on Friday, October 31st (subject to availability). Regular entrees are $6 and include a burrito, burrito bowl, one order of three tacos, a salad, or a quesadilla (only available on the Chipotle app or Chipotle.com). Offer applies in-person only and is limited to one discounted item per person. Not suitable for delivery or pickup orders. (Not valid on children’s meals, catering orders, or third-party ordering platforms).
- Borito Costume Contest: To enter the Boorito Costume Contest, post a video with the hashtag #BooritoCostumeContest from October 27th to November 2nd for a chance to win a Chipotle VIP card.
- “Tip or Treat”: The event runs until October 30th. Purchase your entree, scan your rewards card, and receive an email with a 5-day redeemable offer. You can “tip or treat” once a week during the promotion period, which ends on October 30th.
- Build your own Chipotle deal: Want to recreate Chipotle’s serving lines at home? Build-Your-Own Chipotle meals have all the ingredients you need to feed 4 to 6 people. Get $10 off your first BYOC order with code TRYBYOC until December 31st or 500,000 redemptions, whichever comes first.
Free Krispy Kreme donuts on Halloween, but only if you’re wearing a costume
Krispy Kreme will give away a free Original Glazed Donut or Classic Ring Donut to customers who visit participating stores in costume on Friday, October 31st (no purchase necessary).
Additionally, the chain’s “Trick or Treat!” donut collection will be available during Halloween and includes four all-new donuts, including:
- Candy bag donut: Original glazed donuts topped with rich chocolate-flavored buttercream, swirls of butter-caramel flavor, and sprinkled with a bright trick-or-treat candy blend. It has the texture and taste of the mini candies found in Halloween candy bags.
- Cookies and Scream House Donuts: Filled with a luxurious cookies and cream filling, shell donuts are dipped in rich chocolate icing, topped with crunchy silver chocolate cookies and purple buttercream, and topped with spooky haunted house pieces.
- Jack O’Lantern Donut: Shell donuts topped with smooth orange buttercream-flavored icing. Decorated with a playful jack-o-lantern facepiece and topped with a green icing stem.
- Spooky sprinkle donut: The original glazed donut has been transformed with a bright green icing dip and topped with ghostly Halloween sprinkles.
The collection comes in a custom Halloween-themed box and is available for purchase in-store or for pickup or delivery through the Krispy Kreme app or website.
“Here’s a message to everyone celebrating the Halloween season: Treat yourself to 12 Trick-or-Treat! donuts and don’t let any regrets weigh you down,” Krispy Kreme chief brand and product officer Alison Holder said in an Oct. 16 news release. “At Krispy Kreme, we believe Halloween should be about treating fans, not tricking them. Don’t forget to sneak a donut for yourself before you share, because the only thing spookier than a ghost is an empty Krispy Kreme box!”
Qdoba offers annual “BOOGO” promotion on Halloween
Mexican fast-casual chain Qdoba is also getting in on the Halloween fun this year, offering its annual “BOOGO” promotion exclusively to Rewards members.
The chain said in an Oct. 20 news release that during Halloween, Rewards members will receive a free entree with the purchase of an entree and drink all day long, no costume required. This deal is valid for in-restaurant pickup and delivery online at Qdoba.com, and through the Qdoba mobile app.
Gold status benefits members will also have the option to redeem the offer over the weekend (October 31st to November 2nd) as an extended benefit, the company said.
“At QDOBA, we are committed to bringing fun and flavor to our guests, especially on a day like Halloween,” said Jon Burke, QDOBA’s chief marketing officer, in a news release. “That’s why we’re excited to bring back our annual BOOGO promotion. Whether it’s gearing up for a night of trick-or-treating or a night of scary movies, guests can get into the festive spirit with a delicious lunch or dinner with this limited-time offer.”
Burger King customers can get a $5 Whopper on Halloween
For one day only on Halloween, Royal Park members can get a $5 Jack-O-Lantern Whopper. This burger is part of the chain’s Monster Menu and features:
- Jack O’Lantern Whopper: The iconic flame-grilled Whopper is layered with American cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles, ketchup and mayonnaise, topped with black sesame seeds on a striking jack-o-lantern orange bun, and topped with natural spices for a festive feel.
- Vampire Nugget: Crispy chicken nuggets in the shape of vampire fangs or bats come in cartons with a coffin-like design, perfect for dipping and sharing at gatherings. Nuggets are available as part of a King Junior meal or a la carte.
- Mummy mozzarella fries: Crispy mozzarella sticks are ‘wrapped’ in golden breadcrumbs, combined with marinara dipping sauce and delivered in a special limited edition mummy-themed box.
- Frankencandy Sunday: Creamy vanilla soft serve topped with Oreo cookie crumble franken mix, purple franken candy syrup, and purple and green popping candy.
Burger King says the menu is currently available at participating U.S. restaurants while supplies last.
Moe’s Southwest Grill offers Halloween BOGO sale
Moe’s is offering Moe Rewards members the chance to win BOGO on entrees at participating locations from October 31st to November 1st.
The company says customers must mention the offer at checkout to redeem in-store, and must have a Moe Rewards account to redeem online.
Shack Shack offers BOGO burger sale on Halloween
Shake Shack customers can earn a free Double Shack Burger with the purchase of another Shack Burger using the code “SPOOKY” on the Shack app, ShakeShack.com or at an in-store kiosk, the company said.
The chain says the Double Shack burger includes two 100% Angus beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Shack sauce.
The burger chain said it is also rolling out a series of new deals available exclusively on the Shack app and ShakeShack.com, including $1 sodas, $3 crinkle-cut fries and $5 classic shakes.
Whataburger celebrates Halloween with HalloWINGS deal
On October 31, Whataburger is offering Rewards members a buy-one-get-one-free 9-piece Whatta Wing when ordering online or scanning the app in-restaurant.
WhataWings are boneless, breaded Whata’n bites tossed with your choice of sauces, including Buffalo, Sweet & Spicy, Honey BBQ, and Honey Butter.
Get Tim Hortons Trick-or-Treat Timbits Buckets at a discount this Halloween
Tim Hortons customers who wear a Halloween costume and visit participating U.S. restaurants on October 31 will receive a 31% discount on Trick-or-Treat Timbits Buckets.
The glow-in-the-dark bucket contains 31 Timbits and can be refilled at restaurants or reused to collect all the Halloween candy.
KFC holds nugget sale on Halloween
On October 31st, KFC customers can get 50 KFC nuggets and 10 dipping sauces for just $20.
Sonic brings back 50 Cent’s Corn Dog for Halloween
Sonic is bringing back the 50 Cent Corn Dog Sale this Halloween in addition to the limited-time Trick-or-Treat Blast. The Blasts mix creamy vanilla or chocolate soft serve with Heath, M&M’s minis, and Oreo cookie pieces.
Additionally, from October 27th to November 2nd, Sonic app owners can enjoy the following benefits:
- Free entree with purchase (until October 30th)
- Get a free trick-or-treat blast with your purchase
- Free Medium Slash with Purchase
- Receive a free snack or side with your purchase
California Tortilla offers Halloween sale for costumed customers
California Tortilla told USA TODAY it will offer costumed customers $5 off a burrito or bowl on Oct. 31, plus $10 off a family meal online using the code “BOO!”
Other chains offering food deals on Halloween
- Beef’O’Brady’s: On Oct. 31, kids 12 and under in costume will receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entree.
- Biggby Coffee: From October 24th to 31st, get a free Kids Magic Milk or Hot Chocolate with the purchase of a specialty drink.
- Papa Murphy’s: The chain is bringing back its Jack-O-Pizza and “Scream of a Deal” bundle through Oct. 31. This bundle includes a large Jack-O’s pizza and chocolate chip cookie dough and is priced at $15.
- Auntie Anne’s: From October 27th to 31st, Rewards members who purchase a Halloween Bucket will earn $5 in rewards on their next visit.
- Cinnabon: Customers can get a free Oreo Spooky’s & Cream Chillatta when they purchase a Cinnapack through their rewards account at participating Cinnabon stores.
- Jamba: From October 24th to 31st, Jamba customers will receive a $5 reward when they purchase a $25 gift card.
- Schlotzsky’s: Rewards members get $3 off terrifyingly large sandwiches all day long on October 31st. From October 20th to November 3rd, the company will also offer a $5 reward to customers who purchase a $25 gift card.
- Smoothie King: On October 31st, customers who visit participating locations wearing an avocado costume will receive a free avocado toast.
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Customers who download the Freddy’s Rewards app will earn 2x points on purchases made on October 31 and can redeem them towards future purchases at Freddy’s.
- Bojangles: From October 22 to 31, customers can unlock a new promo code at checkout each night by logging into the app at 10:31 p.m. Each code is valid for the next 24 hours and you’ll see delicious deals.
- Baskin-Robbins: Through October 31, Baskin-Robbins Rewards members get 20% off Polar Pizza, plus 31% off all scoops on Halloween.
- Dunkin: From October 29th to 31st, Dunkin’ Rewards members can earn 3x points when they order 6 or 1 dozen donuts, 25 or 50 Munchkin donut hole treats.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.
