Burger King, Pizza Hut, Applebee's and Sonic serving up eclipse deals and specials
The upcoming total eclipse is not just a time to witness a celestial phenomenon. You can also encounter some new flavors and experiences.
Several restaurants and brands have deals and specials to mark the eclipse, many of them exploring new tastes combinations. For instance, Krispy Kreme has a Total Solar Eclipse doughnut available Friday, April 5 through Monday, April 8.
SunChips may have "sun" as part of its name but the snack brand won't be eclipsed during the event. The snack brand has a special eclipse-timed snack hitting right during the big event – and it won't be available in stores.
You can only get SunChips Solar Eclipse Limited-Edition Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda chips by going to SunChipsSolarEclipse.com beginning at 2:33 p.m. ET/11:33 a.m. PT on Monday, April 8 – about when the eclipse begins in the U.S. – to get a free bag, while supplies last.
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“Total solar eclipses are rare and special events, and I hope people can take a moment out of their busy daily life to pause and enjoy the incredible sight. That's why I'm so excited that SunChips is commemorating this rare celestial event by offering fans a chance to get in on the fun with their exclusive Solar Eclipse flavor," said astronaut and researcher Kellie Gerardi, who teamed with the snack brand.
Here's some more deals and specials for the total eclipse.
Burger King BOGO Whopper deal for Total Eclipse
Here's a way to eclipse your appetite. On Monday, April 8, members of Burger King's Royal Perks loyalty program can text the word ECLIPSE to 251251 to get a special buy-one-get-one-free Whopper offer redeemable April 8-15 in the BK app or on the Burger King website. You can join the Royal Perks program in the app or on BK.com. (One Eclipse BOGO offer per account; not valid with any other coupons or offers. Also not valid in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories. Subject to restaurant and/or delivery availability. Prices may be higher than in restaurant for BK delivery.)
Pizza Hut's Total Eclipse of the Hut deal
On the day of the eclipse, Monday, April 8, get any large pizza for $12. You can create your own pizza (up to 10 toppings) or order any of Pizza Hut's recipe pizzas, as well as Thin ‘N Crispy, Hand Tossed Pizza and Original Pan Pizza. (Offer good for carryout, dine-in and delivery.)
Applebee's 'Perfect Eclipse' margarita
Mixologists for the Applebee's restaurants owned by the Flynn Group have whipped up a new concoction for the event: the Perfect Eclipse Margarita. The drink, which is made with Patrón Premium Silver Blanco Tequila, Citrónge Orange Liqueur, plus Monin Blue Raspberry and Passion Fruit syrups, and lemon and lime, is available now through April 14.
Check your Applebee's for availability; the Flynn Group has Applebee's in Alabama, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
What time is the solar eclipse?: Search your ZIP code for a viewing guide
Blue Moon Eclipse Sips Kits
Fans of the Molson Coors-owned Belgian-style wheat ale can get a special Eclipse Sips kit ($25) to celebrate the eclipse. You get special black light coasters and a flashlight, four Blue Moon pint glasses and some "Moon Dust" to make your beer glow. The kits will be sold starting Wednesday, April 3, at 12 p.m. ET on the Blue Moon website (kits will arrive before April 8).
7-Eleven $3 eclipse pizza deal on April 8
7-Eleven is selling solar eclipse glasses at participating stores and will give members of its 7NOW Gold Pass subscription delivery service a free pair with any order between now and April 8, while supplies last. Then, all day on Monday, April 8, subscribers can get a whole pizza for just $3.
Benefits of 7NOW Gold Pass ($6.95 per month) include free delivery, double rewards points and more member perks. (Look for the 7NOW Gold Pass banner on the 7NOW app home screen to sign up.)
Chuck E. Cheese
With some schools closing for the eclipse, Chuck E. Cheese wants to give parents a kid-friendly activity on Monday. The restaurant-entertainment chain is giving all members of its Rewards loyalty program 500 free e-tickets to use on April 8, whether they are in the eclipse’s path of totality. Just sign up for the program by Sunday morning to get the tickets for use on Monday, April 8.
Dippin' Dots has a 25% off eclipse discount deal
Order Dippin’ Dots online on April 8 and get 25% off. The discount is available online only at www.dippindots.com.
Dunkin' has a $3 Cold Brew deal for eclipse day
You can get a $3 Medium Cold Brew on Monday, April 8, when you order in the Dunkin’ mobile app. Also, if youi are looking to snack on an eclipse-like snack, Dunkin’s Boston Kreme donut does kind of resemble an eclipse.
Dutch Bros' Eclipse flavored drinks net bonus reward points
Dutch Bros, which has more than 830 locations, has some special drinks and some specials for the day of the solar eclipse. First, you need to know the secret menu flavor, Eclipse, which is made with a mix of peach and passion fruit flavors with blackberry and blue raspberry drizzle. When you order a medium or large Eclipse Soda, Tea, Lemonade, Rebel energy drink or Frost get 50 bonus reward points in the Dutch Bros. app.
Jeni's Ice Cream
To celebrate the eclipse, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is launching a special Punk Stargonaut collection of "four out-of-this-world flavors," including the pinkish Nebula Berry, tropical-flavored Cosmic Bloom, grape and currant-tasting Purple Star Born and Supermoon, a previously available flavor described as reminiscent of the taste of cereal milk.
The collection becomes available at noon on Thursday, March 28, on the brand's website and comes with four pairs of Jeni’s branded eclipse glasses. That same day the flavors are also available in Jeni's locations, where you can add fizzy and popping Space Dust candy topping, and, starting April 5, get free Jeni's branded eclipse glasses.
Marco's Pizza
From Monday, April 8, to Sunday, April 14, Marco's Pizza customers can get 50% off all menu-price pizzas using promo code ECLIPSE with orders made online and in the app.
MoonPie Solar Eclipse Survival Kits
With a name like MoonPie, you know the snack brand would have something special planned. You can order a limited-edition MoonPie Solar Eclipse Survival kit ($9.99) with four chocolate mini MoonPies and two pairs of Eclipse Glasses on Shop.MoonPie.com. Glasses also sold separately for $1.99. (These limited-edition kits are available at all Dollar Tree locations, participating Walmart stores and select grocery stores, too, while supplies last.)
Also available online and in stores: a limited supply of special “blackout boxes” of a dozen chocolate, vanilla or banana mini MoonPies for $37.99.
Moon Pies were the snack of choice on Instacart during the last solar eclipse in the U.S. on Aug. 21, 2017. Searches for Moon Pies increased 2000% over its yearly average during the 7-day period leading up to that eclipse, the delivery service says.
“Food plays such an important role in how we mark special moments – whether for holidays, sporting events or cultural moments – so it makes sense that people are looking for the perfectly-themed snack to add some whimsy and joy to their eclipse experience," said Instacart’s trends expert Laurentia Romaniuk in a statement. "You heard it here first – the official snack of the solar eclipse is Moon Pies!”
The next highest snack to see increases during the 2017 eclipse period were black and white cookies, up more than 100%.
Oh, MoonPie has a fun pro wrestling-themed Sun Vs. Moon '24 video you can check out, too.
Perfect Bar's new flavor
Timed to the eclipse, Perfect Bar is debuting a new flavor, Chocolate Brownie, with some specials. It will be 20 years until the next total solar eclipse in the U.S., so Perfect Snacks is giving shoppers 20% off the Chocolate Brownie Perfect Bar through April 12 (no promo code needed) on the website. Those within the eclipse's path of totality can get 50% off the Chocolate Brownie Perfect Bar on April 8 on the site (valid when you have signed up for text notifications).
Online orders for Chocolate Brownie bars come with free Eclipse glasses, while supplies last. Chocolate Brownie bars are also available at select grocery stores and nationwide retailers such as Target and Walmart.
Insomnia Cookies: Free cookie and Moon Cookie Cakes
Insomnia Cookies is giving away one free classic cookie with a $5 purchase in-store or online on April 8. And the late-night cookie chain has brought back its limited-edition Moon Cookie Cakes for the eclipse. Available through April 8, the crescent-shaped cake is made with two classic cookie flavors (choices include M&M's and double chocolate mint).
Raising Cane's 'Path of Toast-tality'
Visit a Raising Cane's that lies within the eclipse's path of totality and get a free Texas toast with every combo purchased. Also on the morning of Monday, April 8, visit the Raising Cane's website (raisingcanes.com/solareclipse) for a chance to win free Raising Cane's for 20 years (entries close at 11:59 a.m. ET). Every entry also gets a mobile code for a free toast, good April 8-14.
Schlotzsky's Solar Eclipse Deal
Schlotzsky's, which has more than 300 locations, will have $2.99 small The Original or Fresh Veggie sandwiches all day on Monday, April 8. (Deal is good in-store at participating locations only. Taxes, add-ons and extras excluded. Limit 10 per order per person. Catering excluded.)
Smoothie King's Eclipse Berry Blitz special
Smoothie King has a special eclipse-themed drink, too: the Eclipse Berry Blitz. The smoothie, available March 27 through April 8, is made with bananas, wild blueberries, apples, blueberry juice blend, white grape lemon juice blend, protein blend and blue spirulina, a blue-green algae powder.
Customers who buy an Eclipse Berry Blitz at a Smoothie King location within the path of the solar eclipse will also a free pair of Smoothie King-branded eclipse glasses (only available March 27-April 8 at participating locations within the eclipse's path of totality while supplies last).
Snapple's new Elements Sun drink
Just in time for the eclipse, Snapple has a new flavor, Elements Sun, with flavors of starfruit, orange, and nectarine. The drink brand will also have a on Snapple Solar Speakeasy pop-up on April 8 in New York City at the Lavan event space at 541 W. 25th St., open to consumers starting at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In is serving the Blackout Slush Float, a new limited-edition drink timed to the eclipse – it's available through May 5. Made with flavors of cotton candy and dragon fruit, then topped with white soft serve and blue and purple galaxy themed sprinkles, the float delivers an "out-of-this world experience," the fast-food chain says.
Sonic will also be handing out free solar eclipse viewing glasses with every purchase of the float, while supplies last.
Biggby Coffee's special eclipse drinks
Biggby Coffee will also have some special eclipse-themed drinks on April 8: The Solar Flare, which is a Mango Creme Freeze, made like a Vampire Creme Freeze with strawberry in the bottom and middle of the drink, and The Eclipse Biggby Blast, a Dragon Fruit & Blue Raspberry-flavored bubbly energy beverage. This drink can be made frozen and without caffeine.
Sheetz: $2 off donuts deal for the eclipse
Sheetz is giving members of its My Sheetz Rewardz loyalty program $2 off any donut on April 8. Members must add the offer via the OFFERZ tab on the Sheetz app.
Haikubox: Tracking nature during the eclipse
Scientists plan to study how animals and insects act during a total eclipse. (A silence in nature has been witnessed in previous eclipses.) If you want to participate, you can get a Haikubox (prices start at $199), which monitors, records and identifies bird call.
Findings from your Haikubox contribute to the company's scientific research. To celebrate the eclipse Haikubox is giving 10% off using the code ECLIPSE24 through April 8.
Twin Peaks Restaurants' free eclipse glasses
The Dallas-based chain with about 115 locations in the U.S. and Mexico is giving out free eclipse glasses on April 8; guests can also enjoy some "cosmic" brews and cocktails.
Casey Jones Distillery: Total Eclipse Bourbon and Moonshine
The Hopkinsville, Kentucky-based distillery has a new four-grain Total Eclipse Kentucky Straight Bourbon (100 proof, $49.99 for a 750ml bottle) and its Total Eclipse Moonshine (100 proof, $29.99 for a 750ml) available on the Casey Jones Distillery website. If you are nearby, the distillery will have a special event on April 6: the limited availability of Total Eclipse Cask Strength Single Barrel, which the distillery laid down from making it ahead of the 2017 solar eclipse.
Tincup Totality Bundle
Tincup whiskey has a special Totality Bundle ($78) for your sipping before, during and after the eclipse. The bundle includes a 750-milliliter bottle of Tincup's 10-year bourbon, plus two Carabiner mugs that can hook to your backpack for all of your outdoor excursions.
Tincup also also has a recommended Total Eclipse Sour recipe:2 oz. Tincup 10-Year Bourbon¾ oz. lemon juice¾ oz. honey3 oz. club sodaEdible glitter (Optional)
Contributing: Saman Shafiq, Elizabeth Weise
Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Solar eclipse food deals at Pizza Hut, Burger King, Applebee's more