McDonald's kicks off new Angus burger promo

McDonald's kicks off new Angus burger promo
Tags: Burger/Steak/BBQ, Food & Beverage
September 9, 2009

McDonald's is again using free offerings to entice customers to try its new premium burgers. When the line of Angus Third Pounders debuted earlier this summer, the company offered coupons for free medium fries and a soft drink with the purchase of one of the three sandwiches.

Now, McDonald's is offering a coupon for a free Angus Third Pounder premium burger plus a free transit pass to public transit systems in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Washington, D.C., as part of its "Try Free, Ride Free" promotion. Beginning Sept. 13 and running throughout the month of September, McDonald's stores in those cities will offer the one-day promotion on a rotating basis, with details of each city's event made available at least the day before on www.mcdepk.com/TryFreeRideFree.

In addition to the six cities participating in "Try Free, Ride Free," several other communities throughout the United States are reaching busy commuters through various on-the-street promotions, with the chance to win one-of-a-kind apparel and coupons for free Angus Third Pounders.

A few of the areas supporting "Try Free, Ride Free" include:

San Francisco — Street teams along the BART transit system will issue Angus Third Pounder giveaways in the high-traffic financial district.
Pittsburgh — Commuters on transit buses will be asked trivia questions about McDonald's for a chance to win coupons for free Angus Third Pounders.
Cities throughout the Northwest — During college football games, fans will be encouraged to call in during the third quarter of big games to predict the final score in hopes of winning free Angus Third Pounders and merchandise.
Central Missouri — Radio DJs will ask listeners to submit pictures of themselves eating an Angus Third Pounder on public transportation in exchange for premium items.

The chain also has a history of promoting its new menu items with free transportation-themed offerings, including those associated with this year's debut of the McCafÃ© line of specialty coffees. McDonald's paid the tolls for drivers on Atlanta's Ga. 400 for a select period as well as offered coupons for a free small McCafe hot coffee or medium iced coffee. Earlier this summer, the chain featured free samples of the McCafÃ© drinks on four Mocha Mondays.