# Fare Freebie Brands offer cost-free menu items to intrigue and delight consumers. By [Ady Floyd](https://www.trendhunter.com/AdyFloyd), Futurist, VP Innovation Strategy | Published May 4, 2016 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fare-freebie ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.8/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Fare Freebie trend? **Fare Freebie:** In an attempt to draw in new consumers, food and beverage companies offer flavorful giveaways as a means to reach a broader audience. By providing consumers with cost-free snacks and drinks, brands are able to showcase their products and build a more diverse following. This creates a more authentic, humanized brand perception, which is especially relevant to consumers in the social media age. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Oct 9, 2015 to Sep 29, 2016 - Published: May 4, 2016 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Fare Freebie trend ### Freebies and Giveaways Brands offer free products to customers in order to broaden their audience and humanize their brand; health conscious consumers and millennials appreciate free nutritious options. ### Celebration Promotions Special promotions linked to occasions make customers feel included in the celebration, fostering strong customer relationships and generating free press. ### Food Pairing Promotions Promotions linking popular foods such as coffee and donuts, or grilled cheese and ice cream, encourage customers to purchase complementary or unexpected combinations and help brands stand out. ## What the Fare Freebie trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Free food and drink giveaways are a new marketing incentive to attract customers and promote a brand's unique offerings. ### For Healthcare Companies such as Cinnabon and Wienerschnitzel have offered promotions that are targeted at healthcare professionals, both fostering brand loyalty with an important audience segment and recognizing the importance of their work. ### For Event Management Special occasions such as National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day and National Nurses Week are being recognized by companies across industries, allowing for opportunities to showcase unique services and offerings, and generate free press and social media buzz. ## Workshop question If you were to launch a promotion with product giveaways, which products would you offer to draw in consumers? ## Trend signals for Fare Freebie Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 41%, activity 35%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 41% - Activity: 35% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Fare Freebie trend 6 featured examples from Oct 9, 2015 to Sep 29, 2016. - [Coffee Pairing Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-coffee-day-2016): Krispy Kreme is Celebrating National Coffee Day 2016 with Free Food (Category: Marketing) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative marketing strategies to attract and retain customers. - [Tasty Mother's Day Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rewards-moms): This Wienerschnitzel Promotion Rewards Moms with a Free Meal (Category: Marketing) Implication: Fast food restaurants can create engaging seasonal campaigns aligned with their brand identity to drive customer traffic and gain market share - [Food Truck Pumpkin Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-pie-quest): This Healthy Food Truck is Giving Out Free Pumpkin Pie Quest Bars (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunities for food and beverage brands to create innovative marketing campaigns using promotional giveaways and seasonal flavors. - [Appreciative Cinnamon Bun Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-nurses-week): This Cinnabon Promotion Celebrates National Nurses Week (Category: Marketing) Implication: Food and beverage companies are developing appreciation promotions and giveaways to show support for healthcare workers during special occasions. - [Unlimited Ice Cream Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-scoops): This Chain is Giving Away Free Scoops of Its Most Popular Flavors (Category: Marketing) Implication: Restaurants and food companies alike can benefit from offering free samples or promotional events to attract new customers and increase sales. - [Celebratory Grilled Cheese Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-grilled-cheese-sandwich-day): This Event Marks National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for restaurants, food trucks, and food manufacturers to capitalize on the popularity of grilled cheese sandwiches and create innovative offerings. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)