Restaurants are rolling out several deals and limited-edition menu items for 2026’s spooky season.
From free burgers at Shake Shack to a $13 Halloween-themed dozen at Krispy Kreme, restaurant chains are looking to draw in customers with October specials ahead of Halloween on Saturday, October 31.
"Halloween is a great opportunity for fast-food restaurants, as families need a quick meal for kids and friends before they go trick-or-treating," Jeannie Assimos, a marketing expert and the head of content at mainelove, told Newsweek.
"I'd say Halloween and New Year's are a great focus for group orders, which are always the most profitable for restaurants."
Newsweek compiled a list of some of the best Halloween restaurant deals and promotions announced for the holiday so far.
Krispy Kreme Halloween Doughnut Launch
Krispy Kreme has teamed up with Warner Bros. for a Looney Tunes-themed Halloween collection featuring four new doughnuts inspired by Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester, Taz and Lola Bunny. The limited-time collection debuted October 6 at participating U.S. shops.
The $13 Halloween dozen includes the Bugs Bunny Doughnut, Tweety and Sylvester Doughnut, Lola Bunny Doughnut and Taz Doughnut.
"This collection captures that playful Looney Tunes spirit in a delicious way, with dozens made for sharing and making Halloween parties, gatherings and spooky season celebrations a little sweeter," Alison Holder, Krispy Kreme's chief brand and product officer, said in a statement.
And there is a freebie coming closer to Halloween. On October 30 and 31, customers who visit participating locations in costume can receive a free Original Glazed or Classic Ring Doughnut, , with no purchase necessary.
...
Shake Shack Free Halloween Burgers
Shake Shack has run various free sandwich deals throughout October.
From October 12 through October 18, customers could receive a free Single Cheeseburger with a minimum $10 purchase. And from October 19 through October 31, the free item will switch to a Single ShackBurger. Customers must use the promo code SCARYGOOD. The promotion began earlier this month with a free Chicken Shack or West Coast Chicken Sandwich on qualifying purchases between October 1 and 11.
The deal applies to qualifying orders at participating U.S. locations placed at an in-store kiosk or for pickup or delivery through the Shake Shack app or website. Airport, stadium, arena, travel plaza and museum locations are excluded.
Third-party delivery and drive-thru orders are also excluded, and only one free promotional sandwich is allowed per order.
Buffalo Wild Wings Fright Feast
Buffalo Wild Wings is offering the limited-time Halloween Fright Feast Menu, available from September 30 through November 9 at participating U.S. Buffalo Wild Wings sports bars and GO locations.
The menu includes Vampire Hunter Wings, tossed in Black Garlic Glaze and finished with a spicy garlic drizzle, along with Black Garlic Glaze Cheese Curds. There's also a Vampirita made with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, triple sec, black cherry, lime sour and fresh lime, finished with a black salt rim and bat trinket.
"The best part of spooky season isn't just Halloween night. It's all the fun leading up to it," Scott Nelson, chief marketing officer at Buffalo Wild Wings, said in a statement.
"We wanted to give guests a reason to get together throughout the season, try something new and get a little wild with friends. So, we created the Fright Feast Menu."
Papa Murphy's Halloween Pizza Deal
Papa Murphy’s has brought back its Halloween-themed Jack-O Pizza this year.
The seasonal take-and-bake pizza is being offered for $10 through October 31 at participating locations, although prices vary in Alaska. Customers should check their local restaurant before ordering.
7-Eleven Halloween Food Deals
7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes also have several offers scheduled around Halloween.
From October 23 through November 2, select candies including Reese's, Kit Kat, Snickers, Twix and Starburst are listed at $1.25 each for 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members.
On October 30 and 31, rewards members can get $7.11 whole pizzas in stores, while large pizzas will also be available for $7.11 through the 7NOW delivery app.
On Halloween itself, customers can get $10 off a 7NOW delivery order of $20 or more by entering promo code TREAT during in-app checkout.
Applebee's Halloween wing deal
Applebee's is also getting in on Halloween with a promotion aimed at wing fans.
Customers can get 20 boneless wings for $12.99 with its Hallowings Bucket when ordering takeout or delivery through Applebee's website or app. The promotion runs from October 25 through October 31, at participating locations.
More Halloween offers could be on the way
Some restaurant chains wait until right before Halloween to announce their offers. However, for now, customers will be able to take advantage of deals from some of their favorite donut, burger and fast casual chains.
Caragh McLaughlin, COO of Denver-based market research firm Mission Field, told Newsweek: "Scarcity wins. A Halloween-themed menu item gives customers a reason to try something they might otherwise ignore. But there's a big difference between getting attention and generating profitable sales.
"I expect more brands to combine limited-time products with aggressive value offers. Consumers are watching their spending and restaurants need compelling reasons to get them through the door."
Deals are subject to participation and availability, and may vary by location.