Today lists 68 Mother's Day deals

Mother’s Day deals are the kind of retail story that sounds fluffy until you remember what the day actually looks like. Lots of people are trying to pull off a meal, dessert, flowers, maybe coffee, and do it on a weekend when restaurants know demand is high. (today.com) That is the gap these roundups are trying to fill — not luxury, just a way to celebrate without paying full freight everywhere. This weekend’s version is unusually big: TODAY posted 68 separate food deals for Sunday, May 10, 2026. ### Why is this a real story? Because holiday pricing is sneaky. Mother’s Day pushes people into last-minute spending, and the easiest version of the day — brunch out, sweets, coffee, takeout later — can stack up fast. (usatoday.com) A list with 68 offers means chains are competing hard for traffic instead of simply coasting on the holiday rush. That tells you something about the market right now: restaurants still think discounts are worth using to win the order. ### What kinds of deals are actually in it? Mostly three buckets. Freebies for moms, percentage-off or bundled discounts, and gift-card promos that give you future credit if you spend now. That matters because those are very different offers. (today.com) A free entrée today helps if you’re going out tonight. A gift-card bonus is better if you were going to buy one anyway and don’t mind the value showing up later. TODAY’s list is built around exactly that mix. ### Which names matter most? The headline examples are broad national chains — Raising Cane’s, Papa Johns, and Dunkin’ are all in the mix. Dunkin’ is worth calling out because it also has a separate spring promotion running now: a $6 meal deal with a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, Hash Browns, and a medium hot or iced coffee. (today.com) That is not a Mother’s Day one-off, but it does make the weekend’s “cheap celebratory breakfast or coffee run” math easier. ### Why does the number 68 matter? Because scale changes how useful a roundup is. A tiny list is basically a few brands doing holiday marketing. Sixty-eight offers means you’ve got options across breakfast, lunch, sweets, drinks, dine-in, and takeout. (today.com) It also suggests the promotions game is getting denser, not thinner. For comparison, TODAY’s Mother’s Day food-deals guide last year surfaced 51 deals. This year’s list is noticeably larger. ### Is there a catch? Yes — several, actually. Many of these offers are at participating locations only, some require an app or loyalty account, and gift-card bonuses often can’t be redeemed the same day. Basically, the flashy headline number is real, but the useful number for any one person is smaller once you filter for your city, your timing, and whether you want dine-in or pickup. (today.com) Holiday deal hunting is a little like couponing with a deadline. ### Why bring up Memorial Day travel? Because it shows the same consumer pattern spreading beyond food. USA Today already has Memorial Day travel sales live across flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and vacation packages, including Costco Travel mentions. (today.com) So the broader story is not just “Mother’s Day brunch is on sale.” It’s that late-spring spending season has fully shifted into promo mode. ### So what should a reader do with this? Treat the list as a menu of deal types, not a promise that every chain near you will honor every offer. Check the app, check the local location, and decide whether you want immediate savings or future credit. (today.com) The best deal is the one that matches the plan you were already going to make. The bottom line is simple: Mother’s Day 2026 is turning into a discounts holiday as much as a dining holiday. If you were already going to buy coffee, lunch, dessert, or a gift card today, there is a better-than-usual chance a chain is trying to undercut the full price. (today.com) (usatoday.com)