Fast Casual: Halloween scaring up food freebies across the nation

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Halloween is easily one of the most popular holidays for brands hoping to engage customers with freebies. Below is a partial list of the specials that the creepy holiday has inspired. 

Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese's annual "Chucktober" celebration is bringing the Halloween spirit to life with its exclusive Candy Corn Pizza in which each slice features two colors and varieties of cheese that mimic the look of the popular Halloween candy, according to a company press release.

The white pizza starts with Chuck E. Cheese's traditional crust topped with garlic mozzarella cheese in the center of the pizza and a ring of sharp cheddar cheese around the outside of the pizza to create a multi-colored tapered appearance — just like the candy. 

The Candy Corn Pizza is available through Oct. 31 and comes with two individual servings of candy corn. On Halloween, Chuck E. Cheese's will give away free slices of Candy Corn Pizza on the hour, every hour from 4 to 8 p.m., while supplies last.

"Halloween is all about creativity so I enjoy embracing my imagination to develop new menu items as well," said Chef Gregory Casale, senior director of culinary innovation for CEC Entertainment.

Also, kids who wear costumes during a visit to Chuck E. Cheese will receive 50 free tickets.

Cici's Pizza

Kids under 10 who come dressed in their Halloween costumes can get a free buffet.  Limit 1 free Kids Buffet per adult buffet and regular drink purchased, according to Facebook.

McAlister's Deli

 McAlister's Deli this Halloween is giving a free kids meal to any child (under 12) who is dressed in a costume. 

"Our youngest guests are some of our most important ones," Paul Macaluso, president of McAlister's Deli, said in a company press release. "McAlister's is proud to offer something delicious for every member of the family and our restaurant employees always look forward to seeing the creative costumes on Halloween."

While enjoying the evening at McAlister's, guests can also purchase additional treats to share in the holiday with cookie bundles featuring the Salted Caramel Cookie. Cookie bundles will be available for purchase at select restaurants through 2017.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is celebrating Halloween this year by giving free kids meals to costumed kids under the age 12. The promotion runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Oct. 31., according to a company press release.

Sonic

Sonic is offering 50-cent corn dogs all day on Halloween. No costume necessary. 

Chipotle Mexican Grill 

Boorito is Back at Chipotle from 3 p.m. to closing on Halloween. Customers who show up in costume will be treated to a $3 burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos. This year, Chipotle is sweetening the deal with a sweepstakes. Customers can text "BOORITO" to 888222 until midnight on Oct. 31 to be entered to win free burritos for an entire year, according to a company press release.

"Boorito is a Chipotle tradition. Our customers love it, and our restaurant teams have a great time, too," Mark Crumpacker, chief marketing and development officer at Chipotle, said in the release."Whether your costume is elaborate, or you just grab some aluminum foil and arrive as a burrito, it's a great way to add some delicious food to your Halloween celebration."

Krispy Kreme

Anyone wearing a costume can grab a free doughnut at participating locations on Halloween. The chain is offering Jack-o-Lantern, Spider Web or Mummy doughnuts in honor of the holiday.