# Complimentary First Responder Meals McDonald's is Offering Free Thank You Meals Across the US By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2020-04-28 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thank-you-meals References: [brandeating](https://www.brandeating.com/2020/04/free-thank-you-meals-for-healthcare-workers-and-first-responders-at-mcdonalds-through-may-5-2020.html) & [mcdonalds](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/free-thank-you-meal.html) In an effort to recognize the hard work of healthcare workers and other first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, [McDonald's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-free-fries-friday) has begun offering free Thank You Meals. Now through Tuesday, May 5, 2020, McDonald's will offer free Thank You Meals at participating locations across the country. To receive a meal, healthcare workers and first responders simply have to show a valid work ID or show up in their work uniform. Each person can receive one free meal per day through the drive-thru or as carry out. As for the meals available, healthcare workers and first responders can choose between a breakfast Thank You Meal that includes a hash brown, drink, and a choice of either Egg McMuffin, Chicken McGriddles, or Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit, or a [lunch/dinner Thank You Meal](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-extra-value-meals) that includes French fries, a drink, and a choice of either a Double Cheeseburger, six-piece Chicken McNuggets, or Filet-O-Fish. Each Thank You Meal will also include a note of appreciation from McDonald's. Image Credit: *McDonald's.* ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 48% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Interactive](https://www.trendhunter.com/interactive) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Free Thank You Meals:** Opportunity for other fast food chains to offer complimentary meals to essential workers as a gesture of appreciation. - **Recognition of Healthcare Workers:** Potential for businesses to develop unique initiatives to recognize and support healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. - **Drive-thru and Carry Out Promotion:** Opportunity for restaurants to offer convenient and safe options for frontline workers to access meals. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fast Food Chains:** Fast food chains can explore innovative ways to show appreciation to healthcare workers and first responders. - **Healthcare Services:** Healthcare services can collaborate with food establishments to provide meal options for their staff as a form of recognition. - **Restaurant Industry:** Restaurants can adopt drive-thru and carry out promotions targeting frontline workers to provide them with meals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Branded First Responder Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hometown-heroes.md) - [Healthcare-Supporting Burrito Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotle-healthcare-heroes.md) - [First Responder BBQ Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/first-responders-relief-combo.md) - [Complimentary QSR Fries Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-free-fries-friday.md) - [Complimentary Beverage Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thank-first-responders.md) - [First Responder-Honoring Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/us-convenience-stores.md) - [Complimentary Meal Military Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourth-of-july-promotion.md) - [QSR Value Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-value-deal.md) - [Complimentary QSR Fries Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-fries-friday.md)