Fast Food Chains Launch Summer Happy Hour Deals

Happy hour deals are pretty easy to come by at your local watering hole, and even at many national restaurant chains that have bars. But what about fast food happy hours? Sure enough, quick-serve chains such as Starbucks, Taco Bell, and Sonic Drive-in have their own happy hour specials. Instead of the usual bar happy hour, with discounts on alcoholic drinks and maybe appetizers, fast food happy hours focus on the establishment’s specialty — perhaps with limited-time deals on coffee, milkshakes, soda, cheeseburgers, or chicken nuggets.

Here’s what you need to know to take advantage of happy hour deals at Sonic, Starbucks, Taco Bell, and Carl’s Jr. this Summer.

Starbucks happy hour deals are available exclusively to customers who use the Starbucks app and are members of the Starbucks Rewards program. Starbucks’ happy hour deals are generally available on Thursdays from 3 p.m. until closing, and the special offers vary from week to week. For example, one Thursday, Starbucks might offer $3 frappuccinos as the happy hour special. Another Thursday starting at 3 p.m., the Starbucks happy hour deal might be buy one, get one free frappuccinos and espressos.

So if you’re wondering what the Starbucks happy hour deals are that week, head to the Starbucks app to get the answer, or follow Starbucks on social media. New Starbucks drink specials appear in the app regularly, and the deals are typically available only on Thursdays.

Sonic Drive-In has plenty of deals throughout the entire week: Some Sonic specials are specific to one day of the week, while other discounts pop up daily.  The Sonic happy hour takes place daily, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., when all drinks and slushies are half price. Sonic also gives you a reason to visit after dinner, with “Sonic Nights” deals offering 50% off shakes and $1.49 ice cream cookie sandwiches from 8 p.m. until closing every day of the week. Finally, Sonic hosts a “Family Night” deal every Tuesday. Cheeseburgers are always half-price from 5 p.m. until closing on Tuesdays.

Taco Bell “Happier Hour” deals are available every day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. During this time period, fountain drinks and special beverages like the Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze are priced at just $1 each.

Normal prices for these beverages vary by location, but they’re generally in the neighborhood of $2 to $2.75. So Taco Bell happy hour deals represent discounts of more than 50% off on drinks. Taco Bell has plenty of $1 food items too, available during all hours.

Carl’s Jr. isn’t just celebrating the first day of summer, they’re celebrating all 100. Through August 20, the burger chain is offering a daily Happy Hour between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. There’s a $3 six-piece Chicken Stars and small Coca-Cola deal, four-piece Chicken Stars combo add-on for a buck, and $3 classic floats.

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