The spotlight for National Sandwich Day 2019 has been focused on chicken sandwiches and the continuing Chicken Sandwich War saga.
This year, the made-up food holiday held annually on Nov. 3 falls on a Sunday, which will be the day Popeyes' sold out chicken sandwich – the one that prompted this summer's battle over which chain has the best chicken sandwich – returns to restaurants.
But Sunday also is a day for free food, deals and discounts at restaurants across the country.
Just not at Chick-fil-A restaurants.
The Atlanta-based chain, famous for being closed on Sunday, sent an email to some of its loyalty members this week mentioning Sandwich Day.
Chick-fil-A later apologized for the snafu and confirmed it would still be closed on Sunday.
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National Sandwich Day deals, freebies
The following deals are available Sunday unless otherwise noted at participating locations. Some require an app and most are while supplies last. Offers can vary by franchise, so check with your closest location.
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop: Get a free small sub when you buy one through the CAPAddicts Rewards app Sunday.
Corner Bakery Cafe: Through Sunday, buy any entree sandwich and get one free with a coupon at participating locations. Find the coupon and list of locations at www.cornerbakerycafe.com/offers.
D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches: Get 20% off your online order with code 7766.
Dog Haus: Because some believe hot dogs are sandwiches too, the brand says it is donating $1 for every Haus Dog sold to No Kid Hungry Sunday.
Erbert & Gerbert's: Get a buy-one-get-one free offer Sunday with the chain's app.
Firehouse Subs: With a coupon Sunday, get a free medium sub with purchase of a medium or large sub, chips and drink.
Grubhub: Using the Grubhub’s in-app Perks feature find National Sandwich Day deals at Subway, Panera Bread and Carl’s Jr. Offers vary.
Ike's Love & Sandwiches: Select sandwiches are $7 Sunday when you buy chips and a drink and show a coupon that will be posted at www.instagram.com/ikessandwiches.
Jersey Mike’s Subs: From Sunday through Nov. 6, get $2 off any regular sub with a coupon sent to email club members, which also will be posted on the chain's social media accounts.
Jimmy John’s: Members of the Freaky Fast Rewards program earn a free surprise sandwich Sunday when they order an Original or Favorite sandwich. The surprise sandwich will be either an 8-inch Favorite, Original, Frenchie or the new Little John. Terms and conditions apply.
Jon Smith Subs: Through Nov. 30, purchase a 12-inch sub and get a small fries and drink for $1 more.
The Halal Guys: The fast-casual Middle Eastern restaurant is holding a contest and will choose three winners at random who will get a free sandwich on their Halal Guys loyalty account. To enter, post a photo on Instagram of a Halal Guys sandwich with the hashtag #THGsandwichday. Posts must be live before Sunday and public.
Penn Station East Coast Subs: Buy any 8-inch sandwich Sunday and get one free at all locations. No coupon is required. To order with the app or online, use promo code SUBS.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Potbelly Perks members can save 20% off all sandwiches Sunday and then get other deals during the chain’s Week of Perks through Nov. 9. Check your Perks account each day to find out what the deal of the day is.
Quiznos: Get an 8-inch sub for $6 Sunday. Steak subs are $1 more. Not valid on delivery.
Subway: From Sunday through Nov. 9, Subway will provide a meal to Feeding America for every purchase made on Subway.com and the restaurant’s app. Delivery orders are excluded. Also, use the app to earn rewards.
TGI Fridays: Through Sunday, get a cheeseburger with a side of fries for $5.
TooJay's Deli: Get $2 off any sandwich Sunday for dine-in or take-out with a coupon posted at www.toojays.com.
More deals: Local restaurants and smaller chains will also offer Sandwich Day specials. Check social media accounts for deal announcements.
Ongoing sign-up offers, coupons
Most of these specials are ongoing offers and require signing up for email clubs or downloading and using smartphone apps. Participation varies by location.
- A&W: Get a free A&W Root Beer Float for your birthday and monthly deals when you join the Mug Club at www.awrestaurants.com.
- Arby's: Sign up for email coupons including a birthday freebie at www.arbys.com/get-deals.
- Bojangles': Join the E-Club at www.bojangles.com and get a free half gallon of Legendary Iced Tea with purchase after sign-up and a free Bo-Berry Biscuit with purchase every year on your birthday.
- Boston Market: Join the VIP club for a coupon for $3 off a $10 purchase and other offers at www.bostonmarket.com.
- Brueggers Bagels: Sign up for the chain's Inner Circle www.brueggers.com for offers.
- Burger King: Find coupons on the restaurant's smartphone app, which can be downloaded at www.bk.com/app.
- Carl’s Jr.: Get a coupon for a free small fries and beverage with the purchase of a select burger for signing up for emails at www.carlsjr.com/email_signup.
- Checkers: Get a coupon for a free large fry with any purchase when you sign up for emails at www.checkers.com/deals.
- Chick-fil-A: Earn freebies by using the chicken chain's Chick-fil-A One smartphone app. Download and learn more at www.one.chick-fil-a.com.
- Church's Chicken: Sign up for coupons, the email club and download the mobile app at www.churchs.com/coupons.
- Culver's: Sign up for the MyCulver's at www.culvers.com for offers.
- Dairy Queen: Get weekly deals on the Dairy Queen app, which you can download at www.dairyqueen.com/app. Limit one offer per person per visit. In Texas, use the DQ Texas App, which you can download at www.dqtexas.com.
- Del Taco: Get a freebie for joining the Raving Fan eClub at www.deltaco.com/ravingfan. Plus get other deals by downloading the app at www.deltaco.com/app.
- Dunkin': Earn free drinks with the DD Perks rewards program, plus a birthday freebie. Sign up at www.ddperks.com.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Join the chain's Shmear Society for offers and a birthday freebie at www.einsteinbros.com.
- El Pollo Loco: Get a free Original Pollo Bowl when you download the chain's app and join LOCO Rewards program at www.elpolloloco.com/loyalty.
- Hardee's: Get a coupon for a free small fries and beverage with the purchase of any "One-third pound Thickburger" for joining the chain's email list.
- Jack in the Box: Unlock special offers when you enter your email or cell phone at www.jackinthebox.com/offers.
- KFC: Join the Colonel's Club for email offers at www.kfc.com/colonels-club.
- Krispy Kreme: Earn rewards with the doughnut chain's app, which can be downloaded at www.krispykreme.com.
- Long John Silver's: Find coupons and sign up for offers at www.ljsilvers.com/coupons.
- McDonald’s: The fast-food chain’s app has ongoing coupons. Download the app at www.mcdonalds.com.
- PDQ: Join the chain's Fan Club for coupons and a birthday freebie at www.eatpdq.com.
- Panera Bread: Earn rewards for your purchases and get a birthday freebie with the MyPanera loyalty program. Sign up at www.panerabread.com.
- Pollo Tropical: Sign up for email and text offers at www.pollotropical.com/rewards.
- Popeyes: Find coupons at www.popeyes.com/coupons.
- Quiznos: Get a free 4-inch sub with purchase when you download the chain's Toasty Points loyalty app at www.quiznos.com/toastypoints.
- Raising Cane’s: Visit a participating location and ask for a Caniac Club card and register for a free box combo and other deals.
- Rally's: Get a coupon for a free large fry with any purchase when you sign up for emails at www.rallys.com/deals.
- Shake Shack: Sign up for exclusive offers at www.shakeshack.com.
- Sonic Drive-In: Find deals at www.sonicdrivein.com/deals and download the Sonic app for a free slush or drink at www.sonicdrivein.com/app.
- Starbucks: Earn free drinks with the Starbucks Rewards program and get perks including free in-store refills and a birthday freebie. Learn more and register at www.starbucks.com.
- Steak 'n Shake: Join the rewards program at www.steaknshake.com/rewards and get a free shake with your first purchase.
- Subway: Earn free subs and get other offers with the Subway MyWay Rewards program. Download the app at www.subway.com.
- Taco Bell: Sign up for offers at www.tacobell.com/register, plus from save on drinks and freezes during Taco Bell's Happier Hour from 2 to 5 p.m.
- Taco Cabana: Get a freebie for signing up at www.tacocabana.com/loyalty.
- Taco John's: Sign up for emails or texts at www.tacojohns.com, plus earn rewards with the chain's smartphone app.
- Wendy’s: Download the smartphone app at www.wendys.com for offers.
- Whataburger: Earn free food with the smartphone app, which can be downloaded at whataburger.com.
- White Castle: Find specials at www.whitecastle.com/promotions.
- Wienerschnitzel: Find coupons and sign up for the Wiener Lovers’ Club at www.wienerschnitzel.com/specials.
- Zaxby's: Sign up for email, text and snail mail Zax Clubs at www.zaxbys.com/zax-club.
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko