Free coffee, deals Tuesday for National Coffee Day at Dunkin’, Starbucks, Panera Bread and more

Perk up, coffee fans.

Tuesday is National Coffee Day, the ultimate day to get — and stay — caffeinated for little or no cost.

Restaurants, convenience stores and brands alike are toasting the made-up holiday, which is held annually on Sept. 29, by giving away free coffee and serving up discounted brew.

The free cups might also help you stay alert during the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. The 90-minute debate starts at 8 p.m.

Starbucks is starting the holiday early for members of its updated Starbucks Rewards loyalty program that launched Sept. 15.

On Monday, the Seattle-based coffee giant kicks off its monthlong “Starland” augmented reality game with more than 2.5 million prizes like free coffee, free breakfast and stars.

Then on Tuesday, members who order a grande or larger handcrafted beverage using the order ahead and pay feature on the Starbucks app will get a free drink loaded to their account for use on their next visit, the company announced in a blog post.

Local coffee shops are expected to be busier than usual Tuesday, too, according to Womply, a small-business software provider.

“National Coffee Day is one of the more popular days of the year for local coffee joints,” Brad Plothow, Womply vice president of brand and communications, told USA TODAY last year. “Expect big deals and longer-than-normal lines if you venture out to your favorite coffee klatch.”

Want to extend the free coffee holiday? Get free cups and discounts year-round by using restaurant and convenience store loyalty programs. Many programs give you a free cup for joining.

National Coffee Day deals and freebies

The following offers are available Tuesday unless otherwise noted. Always check with your closest location as offers and participation can vary. Also, some will require you to have a restaurant’s app or be signed up for emails.

7-Eleven: With the 7Rewards app, some users have an offer to get any size coffee for $1. Offers are regional. Download the free app at www.7-eleven.com/7rewards and check for deals.

Barnes & Noble: Get a free hot or iced tall coffee with the purchase of any item from the “bake case” at store cafes.

Biggby Coffee: Get a free 20-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee with any purchase. The offer doesn’t apply to cold brew, lattes, tea lattes or specialty beverages.

Caribou Coffee: Buy any large beverage and get 50% off any bag of prepackaged beans to take home.

Circle K: Get a free hot or iced coffee in any size with the convenience store chain’s app.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: With any food or beverage purchase over $2, get a free regular size coffee. Also Tuesday through Oct. 5 via Postmates get $3 off a $15 purchase.

Corner Bakery Cafe: This National Coffee Day promotion is getting a late start. The chain is giving loyalty members one free coffee daily for the month of October starting Oct. 1. To take advantage of the daily reward that can be used for one free regular coffee (espresso, cold brew, iced or hand-roasted) or tea, sign up for the loyalty program by 11:59 p.m. CT Oct. 4 at www.cornerbakerycafe.com. No purchase is required to get the free drinks but specialty coffee drinks are excluded.

Cumberland Farms: Text COFFEE to 64827 on Tuesday to get a digital coupon for a free hot or iced Farmhouse Blend or Bold coffee in any size. Those already in the text database should automatically receive the offer Tuesday morning.

Dunkin’: With any purchase, get a free medium hot or iced coffee at restaurants nationwide.

Godiva:Get 30% off coffee bags at Godiva Boutiques and online.

Jack in the Box:Get a free regular hot or iced coffee with any app purchase.

Kolache Factory:Get a free 12-ounce cup of coffee with a coupon the chain says will be posted on its social media sites. Print the coupon or show the coupon on the phone. Available in-store and for curbside.

Krispy Kreme:Everyone can get a free brewed coffee, no purchase necessary. But rewards members get an extra freebie with the free coffee – one free doughnut of their choice. Become a rewards member through the Krispy Kreme app or by visiting www.krispykreme.com/rewards. Both deals are valid “via pick-up and drive-thru at participating shops across the U.S.”

McDonald’s:Not a National Coffee Day deal, but with the McDonald’s app, purchase five McCafé drinks and get one free. Download the app at www.mcdonalds.com and check for other specials.

Panera Bread:Sign up for the MyPanera+ Coffee Subscription and the first month of unlimited premium hot coffee, iced coffee and hot tea is free. After the free month, pay $8.99 per month. Sign up at www.panerabread.com.

QuickChek:Get a free 20-ounce hot or iced coffee when you download the chain’s app and register for an account at www.quickchek.com/rewards.

Rise Brewing Co.: Get a free voucher coupon for a free can of coffee by watching a video and completing an online questionnaire at www.elroadmarketing.com/rise-brewing-co.

Speedway:Get a free 16-ounce hot coffee from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m..

Starbucks: The coffee giant kicks off a week of offers, games and “exciting ways” for loyalty members to earn stars toward free drinks and food Monday with the start of the Starland contest at www.starbucksrewardsstarland.com. On Tuesday, order a grande or larger handcrafted beverage and get a free drink offer loaded to your account. On Thursday, members can collect triple stars on orders.

Stewart’s Shops: Get a free hot, iced, or cold brew coffee from noon to close. Coffee and Cold Brew Refreshers are excluded.

Tim Hortons: From Monday through Oct. 26, purchase any size hot or iced coffee for $0.99 through the Tim Hortons app or at timhortons.com. Modifications are extra. Learn more at www.timhortons.com/offer-terms.

TravelCenters of America: UltraONE loyalty members receive a free cup of coffee when printing off a coupon at the kiosk. All other travelers can get a cup of coffee for 99 cents at participating locations, the chain said.

Wendy’s:Starting Tuesday through Nov. 4, participating Wendy’s in select parts of the country are giving free hot coffee with the purchase of a breakfast sandwich. The participating markets are Boston; Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Cleveland/Youngstown, Ohio. In other parts of the country, check the Wendy’s app for offers.

Read more at usatoday.com