Fast Food Surveys Equal Free Food

This week alone, I have received free sandwiches from both Arby's and Wendy's! How? By completing their online surveys. Here's why you should join me and get free food, too!

A vital part of a successful business plan is the inclusion of a means of obtaining customer feedback. If a business does not stay in touch with its customers, it will not know when there are problems with customer service, product offerings, or other segments of the business.

One of the easiest ways to conduct this type of market research is through the use of an online survey. Many fast food restaurants implement this survey technique by offering free food in exchange for the completion of a survey. These offers are usually printed on the back of your receipt. The free food item generally has a value of $2-$4, so taking the time to complete these online surveys (which take less than 5 minutes) can really add up in savings to your "fast food budget"! Some restaurants use the "fill out a survey for a chance to win $1000" ... those don't interest me as much, but some might find them worthwhile ... especially if you win!

Here is how the surveys work. You go to the website address printed on the back of your receipt. You complete about 5-10 questions, including the store # (located on the receipt) and questions about your satisfaction with the service you received. At the end of the survey, you will receive a "validation code". You write this validation code in the space provided on the back of the receipt. Be sure to note the expiration of the offer - it is usually 30 days or less. Then tuck the receipt in with your paper money or someplace else where you won't forget it, because you will need to present the receipt, complete with the validation code, in order to receive your free food item. Also note if there are any additional purchases required - such as having to buy a drink, etc. I've never run into such a requirement, but it is always a possibility.

That's all there is to it! I've used these free food receipts on many occasions, and never have had a problem. I usually go back to the same restaurant where I made the original purchase. This may not always be a requirement but, since the survey was about that specific store, I have always assumed the validation code is tied to the store as well.

If you think you might not use the free food coupon, give it to someone who might appreciate a treat like this - a co-worker, a friend, a neighborhood child, or your cash-strapped teenager! I've even considered giving them to panhandlers, although to date I've never seen panhandlers in the area where I generally buy lunch. But whatever you do, don't throw away these receipts - the fast food restaurant needs these survey responses to conduct market research and keep in touch with their customers, and the receipts can save you a considerable amount of money on fast food!