In case you’ve missed the emergence of this unofficial holiday, "Friendsgiving" is similar to Thanksgiving, but normally observed with friends instead of family. Groups of friends—usually millennials—come together shortly before Thanksgiving for a potluck dinner more in the vein of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” than a conventional Thanksgiving dinner.
Recently, restaurants have begun hosting Friendsgiving events and promotions to draw revelers out of their homes and into restaurants. Here's a sampling of how some of those operations are pursuing the opportunity, followed by a list of upcoming similar promotional opportunities.
The Mexican QSR has been around the Friendsgiving block a few times. This year, the chain hosted its fourth invite-only Friendsgiving celebration on Nov. 17, in which it treated guests to Taco Bell-inspired Thanksgiving fare and live-streamed the dinner over Facebook.
The cookie chain is offering Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving guests cookies instead of pumpkin pie. It offers customers a chance to “be the hero” and give friends and family “the dessert they really want!”
Marketed as a welcome addition to any Friendsgiving party, the Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed doughnut returned to Krispy Kreme's lineup for one day on Nov. 16. The decision to reawaken the autumn-themed flavor was the result of an online poll in which Krispy Kreme fans voted to bring the pumpkin spice doughnut back.
The Melting Pot will feature a three-course Friendsgiving dinner special for $26 per person from Nov. 21 through Nov. 23. The dinner includes a choice of cheese fondue, a salad and a petite entree of chicken breast, Pacific white shrimp, teriyaki-marinated sirloin or butternut squash ravioli.
Chicago-based upscale Mexican restaurant Mercadito added Friendsgiving to its list of Holiday Experiential Dinners. Priced at $75, the reservation-only event on Nov. 21 will include five courses along with five cocktails. Special guests at the event will include chef Patricio Sandoval of Mercadito.
The Caribbean-inspired chain is marketing its late-night happy hour as an occasion for friends to blow off some steam before Thanksgiving. Appetizers and cocktail specials are half-priced after 9 p.m.
The pub-style restaurant calls its celebration Thanksgiving Eve, inviting guests to “reunite with friends and family” on Nov. 23. The restaurant’s bar will offer 50-cent bone-in wings from 4 p.m. to close, and $5 full-sized appetizers from 7 p.m. to close.
Here's a look at upcoming promotional opportunities: