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Free wings at Wingstop, Buffalo Wild Wings today.

The wing-industrial complex wants us to think Monday is National Chicken Wing Day. Free wings are tempting, but at what cost? Corporate holidays remind us it's time to question the plantation mentality—and maybe eat some wings.

Published July 28, 2024 at 6:00am by Mike Snider

It's National Chicken Wing Day and Americans are expected to devour billions of wings this year. The 'holiday' was created in 1977 by the then-mayor of Buffalo, New York, Stan Makowski, to celebrate the city's famous Buffalo wings. Today, there are many types of wings to choose from, and wing chains offer a wide variety of flavors and spices.

"Wing chains offer a seemingly unending array of flavors, spices, sauces, and dry rubs to accompany their wing sections," said Tom Super, spokesman for the National Chicken Council. "No other part of the chicken comes close to being offered in so many tasty ways, from mild to super spicy hot."

Despite inflation and high food prices, wings remain a popular and affordable option for consumers. Here are some deals to get your fix:

Deals:

Buffalo Wild Wings: With an online order of $10+, get a voucher for 6 free wings with any burger purchase on your next visit. Valid for dine-in/takeout/delivery. Use code WINGDAY/app. Voucher valid July 30 - Aug 30. Buy $50 e-gift card on Kroger, save $7.50.
Popeyes: Buy 1 bone-in/boneless wings, get 6pc for $1. Valid Aug 4 via app/website at participating restaurants, incl. delivery.
Wingstop: 5 free wings with any purchase. Use code FREEWINGS on Wingstop.com/app. Incl. Hot Honey Rub flavor, now permanent.
7-Eleven: 2 BOGO deals: buy 5pc bone-in/8pc boneless, get same free. Participating 7-Eleven/Speedway/Stripes stores.
Applebee's: Buy 1 bone-in/boneless wings, get 1 free via online/app order. Use code: WINGDAY24.
bb.q Chicken: 20% off online/app with new bb.q Rewards app. Use code: WINGDAY24. Max $15 discount. Fill out entry form for chance to win 1 of 5 rt trips for 2 to Korea + $100 gift card.
Buffalo's Cafe: All-you-can-eat wings for $19.99 at participating locations.
BurgerFi: $5 for 5 Jumbo Chicken Wings with beverage purchase. Dine-in only at participating locations.
Dave and Buster's: Deals from $22.99 incl. all-you-can-eat wings + $10 Power Card. $5 happy hour drinks.
East Coast Wings + Grill: Bone-in wings for 85 cents. Compete in Chicken Wing Champion contest for chance to win free wings for a year. Download app, earn points by trying menu items. Each location will award Gold ($1yr wings), Silver ($50gc), Bronze ($25gc). + social media contest.
Fatburger & Buffalo's Express: Free 3pc wings with Fatburger meal purchase. Online orders, use code: WINGMAN24. IG giveaway for custom "Chicken Wing" necklace.
Hooters: Buy 10 wings, get 10 free. Dine-in only at participating locations.
Hurricane Grill & Wings: 10 wings for $12.99.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken: $4 Value Meal w/ Cajun-spiced drum, thigh, wing + wedges. Mon-Fri 10am-2pm. Participating locations only, excl. digital orders.
Mountain Mike's Pizza: 15% off $30+ for Mountain Rewards members, July 29-31.
Native Grill & Wings: 69 cent wings for dine-in/online. Use code: WINGDAY.
PJ Whelihan’s: Free 5pc with $10 min purchase. Dine-in only, 1 per check.
Perdue: Online deal: 3x22oz Air Fryer Crispy Wings ($39.99, reg. $50.97). Hot N’ Spicy, Roasted, Lemon Pepper flavors.
Razzoo's Cajun Cafe: Firemouth Wings for $10, $3 frozen Hurrycanes.
Smokey Bones: Buy 1, get 1 free wings. Bones Club members get 6 extra wings free.
Whataburger: Buy 1 WhataWings, get 1 free via app. Offer auto-added before Mon.
Wings and Rings: 40% off traditional/boneless wings, July 28-29, for 40th anniversary + 40 Days of Giveaways incl free wings for a year, Orlando vacation. Sign up.