NEWS

Tax day freebies: Cinnabon, World of Beer, Hooters & more

Wayne T. Price
FLORIDA TODAY

Yes, there are freebies and discounts planned by different folks on Tuesday, the deadline to file taxes.

Sonny's BBQ says you'll like the IRS on Tuesday. That's when IRS stands for its discounted "Irresistible Rib Special."

Wanted to offer a couple of things first though.

Did you hear about U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin of Tulsa, Oklahoma? The Republican was catching some flak at a town hall meeting recently and when someone shouted “we pay your salary,” – a fairly common remark that most of us have used in our lifetime, Markwayne wasn’t having it.

“You say you pay for me to do this? Bullcrap,” said Mullin, who runs a successful plumbing business. “I pay for myself. I paid enough taxes before I got there and continue to through my company to pay my own salary. This is a service. No one here pays me to go.”

Ouch! It’s doubtful Mullin’s missive will find its way into a ledger of thoughtful quotes about taxes from some of our political sages. And maybe he has a point, though it’s probably not one I’d make before some angry constituents. Wouldn’t it be better to say to respond “Yes you pay my salary. And for that I’m going to make sure your tax burden is lowest it can be so you can invest in our economy.”

U.S. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, said taxpayers don’t really pay his salary. His own tax payments covers his congressional pay.

Rep. Mullin appears to be in a heavily Republican district so aside from chiding on the Internet he’ll probably be OK politically. His greater liability seems to be the name “Markwayne.”

More: Gabordi: New cans to kick down the road

More: Easter shooting: 80 shots, three hurt, 1,000 at scene, few leads

OK, onto the free stuff. (Of course I’m probably missing some some contact me if there are others and I’ll add to the list.)

  •  Kona Ice, on Tuesday will hold national “Chill Out” Day from 11 a.m. to noon at Liberty Tax, 1153 Malabar Rd, Palm Bay, to hand out free cups of tropical shaved ice and complimentary Hawaiian leis to all who stop by. The phrase being tossed around is “No taxation without relaxation. Kona then will be at Liberty Tax office at 1-3 p.m. at 924 W. New Haven Ave., Melbourne.

Kona Ice is giving away free shaved ice on Tuesday, Tax Day, at Liberty Taxes in Palm Bay.

  •  World of Beer in Viera is offering patrons a free select draught on Tuesday.

“We know what a stressful time of year this can be,” said Paul Avery, World of Beer’s president and chief executive officer. “We are happy to provide a morale boost for our guests on Tax Day.”

  • Arby’s is offering free curly fries on Tuesday with no purchase required. (Note: This deal is only available at certain locations, so check with your Arby’s beforehand.)

  • Boston Market’s deal Tuesday is a half-chicken individual meal with two sides, a regular fountain drink, cornbread and a cookie for $10.40.
  • Bob Evans is slicing 30 percent off your entire purchase for dine-in and carry-out orders with a coupon available at www.bobevans.com/taxday.
  • Chuck E. Cheese’s is offering a free large cheese pizza with the purchase of one its thin and crispy pizzas.

Wayne T. Price is Business Editor at FLORIDA TODAY

  • Chili’s is serving its blueberry and pineapple margaritas all day on Tuesday for $6.
  • Cinnabon, at some locations, is offering two free Cinnabon bites on Tuesday. No purchase or proof of completed taxes necessary.
  • Hooters: Kids 12 and younger eat free with an adult purchase of $10 or more for each free kids meal. Some locations have this dine-in-only deal Saturday through Tuesday and others have it only Tuesday. 
  • McDonald’s is offering buy-one-get-one free Big Macs but the offer varies from franchise, Same goes with deals like to Quarter Pounders with Cheese for 1 cent, 15 cents or 25 cents; free small French fries; or 59-cent hamburgers. Again, check with your McDonald’s before you order.
  • National Parks will let you in for free Saturday and Sunday. (That's also part of Earth Day festivities.).
  • Planet Fitness, Tuesday through Saturday will give patrons a free HydroMassage.
  • Sonic Drive-In's deal on Tuesday is a half-price cheeseburger. Deal varies by location so check before ordering.
  • Sonny’s BBQ says the IRS doesn’t stand for the International Revenue Service. It stands for “Irresistible Ribs Special at Sonny’s BBQ.” That’s half price for its St. Louis Rib Dinner with two sides and bread on Tuesday.

Price is Business Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. He can be reached at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Fla2dayBiz.