Smalls Sliders Gives Dogs Free Bandanas for National Dog Day

Smalls Sliders is celebrating National Dog Day on Aug. 26 with a free “Can’s Best Friend” bandana for dogs at participating locations when guests spend $10 or more. The promotion is a small but timely push to bring more traffic to the burger chain’s Smorange-colored Cans and social channels.

Why it matters: - The National Dog Day giveaway gives Smalls Sliders a simple in-store promotion tied to a date that already gets attention from pet owners. - The offer is designed to drive visits to participating locations and encourage social sharing with the brand tag and hashtag. - The promotion also reinforces Smalls Sliders’ neighborhood-stop positioning and family-friendly image.

What happened: - Smalls Sliders said guests who bring their dog to a participating Can on Aug. 26 and spend $10 or more will receive a free “Can’s Best Friend” bandana. - The bandana comes in the brand’s Smorange hue and is available while supplies last. - The promotion is timed for National Dog Day. - Guests can post photos with #NationalDogDay and tag @SmallsSliders.

The details: - Michael Alberici, chief marketing officer at Smalls Sliders, said National Dog Day fits the brand because the Cans are meant to feel like a neighborhood stop that guests visit again and again. - Smalls Sliders said the giveaway is a way to thank guests for making the Can part of their routine. - The company’s menu centers on fresh, cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries and hand-spun milkshakes. - Smalls Sliders serves those items from its Smorange-colored shipping containers, called Cans. - Bandanas are available only at participating locations. - Quantities are limited, and the company said guests should arrive early.

Between the lines: - The campaign leans on a low-cost promotional item to create a reason for repeat visits and user-generated content. - The dog-friendly angle broadens the brand’s appeal beyond a standard burger stop. - The social push helps extend the promotion beyond the restaurant lot without adding much complexity.

What’s next: - Guests can expect the giveaway to run only on Aug. 26 while supplies last. - Smalls Sliders will likely measure the promotion by traffic, social engagement and how quickly the bandanas run out. - The company continues to expand from its first location in 2019 to more than 375 Cans open or under development across 30 states.

The bottom line: - Smalls Sliders is using National Dog Day to turn a simple freebie into a traffic driver, a social moment and a reminder of the brand’s family-friendly pitch.