Free food and restaurant deals

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. Plus, you can eat your heart out with heart-shaped treats and meals.

Brad Plothow, vice president of corporate marketing and communications for Womply, a small business software provider, said the holiday is a fairly typical day for local restaurants.  

“While we’re projecting Valentine’s Day to be extremely busy for upscale restaurants, it also looks to be a fairly average foot traffic day at most other local spots,” Plothow said. “You’ll need a reservation for a high-end experience with a significant other, but unattached diners will find light crowds at more casual eateries.”

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual Valentine’s Day survey, spending for the holiday is up.

The survey found that those celebrating the holiday said they plan to spend an average of $196.31, up 21% over last year’s previous record of $161.96. Spending is expected to total $27.4 billion, up 32% from last year’s record $20.7 billion. 

Shoppers plan to spend $4.3 billion on an evening out, according to the survey. 

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Valentine’s Day freebies and deals

The following offers are available Thursday, Feb. 13, at participating locations unless otherwise noted. Some continue for Valentine’s Day and others through the weekend. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out. 

Aroma Joe’s: Get $2 rushes on Valentine’s Day and the brand also has a special Lemon, Pineapple and Grape Rush for the holiday.