This year, tax day is bound to hurt -- but free food could help you lighten the tax load.
Here in San Diego, T.G.I. Friday's, Cinnabon and P.F. Chang's are among the national chains that will offer free or heavily discounted food.
Sales at restaurants are expected to dramatically decline this year -- so eateries are upping the discounts to lure cash-strapped customers in the door, USA Today reported.
"This is the most challenging period for the restaurant industry in several decades," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research and information services at the National Restaurant Association.
- Burger-and-beer joint T.G.I. Friday's will give its customers $5 gift cards for every $15 to $25 purchase they make at the restaurant and $10 if they spend more.
- Taco Del Mar is promoting its "Taxes Suck: Tacos Don't" deal -- e-mail the restaurant, and they'll send you a coupon for a free taco.
- P.F. Chang's will offer 15% off at their four San Diego area locations.
- Seafood outlet McCormick & Schmidt's will also give customers heavy discounts.
- Cinnabon is offering an even sweeter deal -- from 5 to 8 p.m., you can get your sugar fix for free when the chain hands out its mini-bun Tax Day Bites to hungry customers.
- MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Treatery will give away single-scoops to customers for their "e-cone-omic ice cream stimulus package".
