When a government shutdown drags on, paychecks stall, but essential workers still show up. This week, one national chain stepped in with something simple: dinner on the house. TGI Fridays is comping select meals for federal aviation employees while Congress hammers out the details. It’s a small perk, but for people working long shifts at airports, it helps.
The offer is live now and runs through Thursday, Oct. 23, across more than 80 TGI Fridays locations across the U.S., including airport venues. Eligibility is limited to TSA officers and air traffic control workers with a valid employee ID. One meal per day, from a set menu.
Who’s Eligible—And What You Can Get
TGI Fridays’ deal is specifically for Transportation Security Administration and air traffic control employees. Show your work ID and you can choose one free meal per day from a short list of staples: a Cheeseburger with fries, Chicken Fingers with fries, a Crispy or Grilled Chicken Sandwich with fries, or a Chicken Caesar Salad.
The program is available all day, every day through Oct. 23 (or until the shutdown ends). At standard restaurants, you’ll dine in; at airport locations, it’s to-go only. There’s one local carve-out worth noting: Atlanta airport sites are excluded because Hartsfield-Jackson launched its own relief package for TSA staff.
The context here matters. TSA agents and controllers are considered essential and continue working without pay during a shutdown, so TGI Fridays framed this as a thank-you to the folks “who keep our country moving.” It’s not a blanket free-for-all for every federal ID—this is focused on airport operations.
Related: How to Play McDonald’s Monopoly and Get Free Food Without Spending a Dime
How to Redeem—And Where It Works
Redemption is as simple as it sounds: present your valid TSA or ATC ID at any participating U.S. TGI Fridays (including airport locations) and order from the designated menu. You can do this once per day during the window.
Planning to use the deal at ATL? Don’t—try the airport’s relief program instead, which includes free parking and meal vouchers (two per shift for full-time TSA, one for part-time) available across airport restaurants. If you’re elsewhere—Dallas–Fort Worth, LAX, Newark—the Fridays offer applies normally.
A few fine-print style notes to keep in mind: the offer is first-come, while supplies last; it’s limited to the listed items; and airport locations are strictly takeout for this promo. Bring your ID, expect it to be checked, and don’t try to stack with other discounts. If the shutdown ends before Oct. 23, the deal ends, too.
More Ways to Eat for Less During the Shutdown
TGI Fridays isn’t the only group pitching in. In D.C., José Andrés’ restaurants (Jaleo, China Chilcano, Zaytinya, Oyamel) are offering free weekday lunches for federal employees with ID. Around the region, a rotating list of businesses—from IKEA’s area stores (free breakfast for furloughed feds) to neighborhood spots—are posting shutdown specials and discounts. Check local roundups and your go-to neighborhood feeds; these lists are evolving daily as operators join in.
If you’re outside the capital, check out local publications and station sites for “shutdown specials”—many cities compile active offers, and relief efforts pop up quickly at the airport level (see Atlanta’s example). The bottom line: if you’re working without pay, ask. Plenty of places are helping out federal workers right now.
Related: How to Build Popeyes’ Off-Menu Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuit Sandwich
