Last year around this time, we told you how restaurants were commemorating dumpers and dump-ees for Valentine’s Day, rolling out deals for the heartbroken and lovelorn.
This year, though? It appears restaurant marketers are dishing out nothing but love and romance.
(Which is, perhaps, a good thing as 2025 started out with a January that seemed to last a year for much of the country. We could all use some roses and good cheer.)
Here’s a look at some of the creative Valentine’s Day restaurant marketing campaigns we’ve seen so far this year:
In 2024, Asian casual-dining chain P.F. Chang’s offered free orders of six dumplings to those who’d recently been dumped. This year, Chang’s is all about helping you land a second date.
Dine at one of the chain’s restaurants between Feb. 13 and Feb. 18 and you’ll score an offer for free dumplings to be redeemed on a future visit.
“It’s the perfect way to ensure that sparks continue to fly on a second date,” the brand said in a press release. (Perfect? I mean, dumplings are great, sure, but we would also accept diamonds and basic human kindness.)
P.F. Chang’s is also debuting a pink-hued Cherry Blossom Martini (gin, elderflower liqueur, lychee, strawberry, lemon and pineapple) for the holiday.
Panera Bread is similarly feeling the love this year, launching a Valentine’s Day Date lunch promo around the fast casual’s new Asiago Bagel Stack sandwiches. “You’ll get one for you, and one for free for your BAE,” Panera said.
At select restaurants in the New York City area, Panera’s bagels will become BAEgels on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, as the chain offers free heart-shaped Cinnamon Crunch Bagels.
Fondue concept The Melting Pot is appealing to couples who don’t want to leave the living room on Valentine’s Day. The chain’s Romantic Night In Bundle features a fondue set with six forks, a two-pack of chocolate fondue, a Flaming Turtle candle and a $10 gift card.
At Burger King, Royal Perks rewards members can redeem a Buy One Get One Free Whopper on Feb. 14 to share with their true love or keep for themselves.
“Why settle for wilting roses when you can lettuce help you create a savory Valentine’s memory?” a (clever) Burger King spokesperson noted.
Ziggi’s Coffee’s annual “Season of Love” campaign runs through Feb. 14, with deals for rewards members each day. Offers include free drinks, bonus points and discounts.
And, of course, there is White Castle, the fast-food chain that should win a gold-plated heart for holiday marketing by somehow transforming itself into a Valentine’s Day hotspot.
This is the 34th year that White Castle will morph its quick-service restaurants into fine-dining “Love Castles” for the holiday, with nearly 20,000 reservations booked as of the end of January, the chain said.
For diners who don’t want to leave the house, White Castle this year has supersized its “Love Kit,” a pack of 20 sliders and 10 desserts designed to serve four to five people. For $99 shipped, you can get eight Cheese Sliders, six Original Sliders, six Jalapeno Cheese Sliders, White Castle Pickles, 10 Strawberry Cheesecake Desserts On-a-Stick, stickers, “Craventines” cards and coupons good for up to 12 free frozen sliders via grocery retail.
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