Whether it’s to introduce an customers to a new menu item,  launch a new location, or celebrate National Cow Appreciation Day, restaurants everywhere are finding reasons to give away free food.  As the recession has played a discouraging role in regards to  spending habits, free food giveaways are a great way for restaurants to get people through the door and show goodwill.

There are many creative ways that restaurants have chosen to distribute free food. Often it involves a coupon that you can download online. Chick-fil-A got a little more creative this July, when it asked customers to dress like cows to  get free food on its “Cow Appreciation Day.” In the case of Denny’s, sometimes restaurants just give food away–no strings attached.

As each new restaurant opens, Buffalo Wild Wings gives away a year’s worth of wings to the first 100 customers. The result? People camping out outside of the restaurant, a full restaurant on opening day and positive media coverage.

With the economic conditions we’ve faced this year, it’s  great to see restaurants offering deals to customers, and the customers being so receptive to the offers.  With so many restuarants giving away food, it will be interesting to see the many creative ways that restaurants will continue to do it.