While most people in Boston were sad to see the Red Sox winning streak end at 15 games on Wednesday, one restaurant chain, 99 Restaurants, probably felt relieved to see it happen.
That’s because 99 Restaurants has been running a “kids eat free after every Red Sox win” promotion that cost the company thousands of dollars thanks to the streak.
The promotion, which the restaurant chain has been running since 2008, hasn’t led to this many free meals since it was first implemented. After all, you have to go back to 1946 to find the last time the Boston Red Sox went on a 15-game winning streak.
So, because the winning streak lasted from July 2 to July 22, 87 of the chain’s 93 locations have been giving out free meals at a never-before-seen rate. (The only six locations that don’t participate in the promotion are in New York.)
Red Sox win, kids eat free, it’s that simple
While 99 Restaurants didn’t disclose specific dollar amounts, the company told Front Office Sports it gave away “thousands” of free kids’ meals during the winning streak. By Front Office Sports estimates and kids meals averaging $8 each, they figure the promotion cost the company between $16,000 and $60,000.
“We probably went to our 99 eight times this month,” Boston resident Kory Janelle told Front Office Sports. “When we showed up, they already knew why we were there. During the streak, I honestly started to find myself caring less about the Red Sox and more about whether I wouldn’t have to pay for my kids’ dinner again.”
A similar situation took place during the 2025 season when the Milwaukee Brewers went on a 14-game winning streak. Things got so wild during that streak that the promotion caused police to be called to a George Webb restaurant in Wisconsin.
Thankfully, 99 Restaurants said they were more than prepared, as Michelle Govine, 99 Restaurant’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, said they “made sure every restaurant participating in the promotion was fully stocked.”