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Valentine’s Day free food, deals: Save at Starbucks, Olive Garden, Papa John’s, Dunkin’ and more

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Stretch your budget this Valentine’s Day by saving on the big meal.

Fancy dining and casual restaurants alike are offering special menus and deals. Plus, you can eat your heart out with heart-shaped treats and meals.

Brad Plothow, vice president of corporate marketing and communications for Womply, a small-business software provider, said the holiday is a fairly typical day for local restaurants.  

“While we’re projecting Valentine’s Day to be extremely busy for upscale restaurants, it also looks to be a fairly average foot traffic day at most other local spots,” Plothow said. “You’ll need a reservation for a high-end experience with a significant other, but unattached diners will find light crowds at more casual eateries.”

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual Valentine’s Day survey, spending for the holiday is up.

The survey found that those celebrating the holiday said they plan to spend an average of $196.31, up 21% over last year’s previous record of $161.96. Spending is expected to total $27.4 billion, up 32% from last year’s record $20.7 billion. 

Shoppers plan to spend $4.3 billion on an evening out, according to the survey. 

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Valentine’s Day freebies and deals

The following offers are available Thursday, Feb. 13, at participating locations unless otherwise noted. Some continue for Valentine’s Day and others through the weekend. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out. 

Applebee’s: The February drink of the month is the $1 Vodka Strawberry Lemonade, which is pink.

Aroma Joe’s: Get $2 rushes on Valentine’s Day and the brand also has a special Lemon, Pineapple and Grape Rush for the holiday.

Baskin-Robbins: Get $3 on cake purchases $15 or more through Friday online and with the mobile app using promo code BEMINE.

Bob Evans: Friday through Sunday, upgrade a full-priced entrée to a three-course meal for $3 extra. With the dine-in only deal, you’ll select any dinner entrée then add a soup or salad and a slice of pie for dessert.

Burger King: This is not a nationwide promotion and is only taking place at four select locations posted at www.bk.com. But scorned lovers in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston can bring in a printed photo of their ex to the restaurant’s “breakup boxes” for a free Whopper. The fast-food chain also has offers nationwide on its mobile app. 

California Pizza Kitchen: Through Sunday, get the “Sweet Deal for Two” $35 special. Plus, for dining in through Sunday get a card with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on a return visit and chance to enter the California Wine Country Sweepstakes for a two-night stay in Sonoma, California.