Qdoba is giving away a free regular-sized order of chips and guacamole today, September 16, 2026 — National Guacamole Day. All you need is a regular-sized entrée and the promo code GUACDAY at checkout. We verified the offer against Qdoba's own promotion terms and multiple restaurant-industry reports, and the deal is real for U.S. locations only.
The free item is a regular (4 oz) portion of hand-smashed guacamole served with Qdoba's freshly fried tortilla chips. That is a side that normally runs about $4 to $5 if you ordered it on its own. You get it free the moment you buy any regular entrée and apply the code.
This is part of Qdoba's "Diptember" campaign running September 1 through November 2. The chain is spotlighting its 14 dips and sauces, with a second freebie — free chips and queso via code QUESODAY — landing on National Queso Day, September 20. Today is the guac day, and it ends when stores close on September 16.
Below we break down exactly how to claim it, what it is worth, the fine print most posts skip, and how it stacks up against similar free Mexican-chain deals this month.
Quick Summary
What | Free regular (4 oz) chips & guacamole |
|---|---|
Code | GUACDAY |
When | Sept 16, 2026 only (National Guacamole Day) |
Need | Any regular-sized entrée |
Where | QDOBA.com, app, or participating U.S. stores |
Cost | $0 for the side (entrée still priced) |
What Is the Qdoba GUACDAY Deal
GUACDAY is Qdoba's one-day promo for National Guacamole Day. On September 16, 2026, you get a free regular portion of chips and hand-crafted guacamole when you buy a regular-sized entrée and use the code GUACDAY. The offer is confirmed on Qdoba's own promotion terms and reported by Nation's Restaurant News and other trade outlets.
The catch that defines the deal is the purchase requirement. This is not a no-strings freebie — you must buy a regular-sized entrée first. The free chips and guac are added on top as a reward, not a standalone handout. We flag that clearly because "free guac" posts online often skip the entrée condition.
It runs for one day only. Unlike Qdoba's recurring "free queso & chips with a full-sized entrée" member offer, GUACDAY is tied to the calendar date September 16 and disappears at close of business. If you are reading this on September 17 or later, the code will not work.
The Diptember backdrop matters. Qdoba built the campaign around its 14 dips, salsas, and sauces, so GUACDAY is one spotlight day inside a two-month dip celebration rather than a random one-off. That context is why a second code, QUESODAY, returns on September 20 with free chips and queso instead.
What's Free
The free item is one regular (4 oz) order of Qdoba's hand-smashed guacamole paired with a regular order of tortilla chips. That is the standard side size Qdoba sells, not a sample taste or a mini cup. It is the same portion you would get if you added chips and guac as a paid side.
Worth noting: Qdoba already includes 3-Cheese Queso and guacamole free inside every build-your-own entrée. GUACDAY is different — it hands you a separate 4 oz chips-and-guac side at no charge on top of the entrée you already paid for. You are not "unlocking" something that was already in the bowl; you are getting an extra side.
The guacamole is made fresh in-store from avocados, lime, and cilantro. If you are dairy-free or just love the green stuff, this is the headline item. The chips are Qdoba's standard fried tortilla chips, salty and built for dipping.
How to Claim Step by Step
Open the QDOBA app or QDOBA.com, or walk into a participating U.S. store.
Build or pick any regular-sized entrée — a bowl, burrito, salad, tacos, quesadilla, or nachos.
At online/app checkout, enter the promo code GUACDAY in the code box before you pay.
In-store, tell the cashier the code GUACDAY or show it at the register when you order.
The regular chips & guac side is added free; complete your purchase as normal.
Grab your food — the free side shows on your receipt as a $0 line when the code applies.
The code must be entered or spoken at the time of purchase. Adding it after you have already paid will not retroactively discount the side, so apply it before you check out.
Who Is Eligible
Any guest in the United States can use GUACDAY — you do not need a Qdoba Rewards account for this specific one-day promo. Online and app orders just need the code entered at checkout; in-store orders just need you to say the code. This sets GUACDAY apart from Qdoba's recurring free-queso-and-chips member offer, which does require a Rewards login.
You must buy a regular-sized entrée. Smaller items — a kid's meal, a side, or a drink — do not trigger the free side. A regular bowl, burrito, salad, three-taco order, or quesadilla all qualify; the cheapest regular entrée is the veggie bowl or salad at about $9.49.
The deal is U.S. only and at participating locations. Not every franchise store opts in, and third-party delivery platforms are excluded (more on that in the fine print). Canada locations are not part of the GUACDAY U.S.-only run.
Important Fine Print
The code works only on September 16, 2026. Qdoba has not extended it in past one-day promotions, so treat tonight's close of business as the hard cutoff. Set a reminder if you plan to order later in the day.
Third-party delivery does not count. Ordering Qdoba through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub will not apply GUACDAY, because those platforms do not process Qdoba promo codes. You must order direct through the QDOBA app, QDOBA.com, or in person.
Participating locations only. Qdoba is franchise-heavy, and a small number of stores may opt out of national promos. If the code fails at a specific store, that is usually the reason, not a dead code. The Qdoba location finder lists which stores are corporate versus franchise.
One free side per entrée purchase. You cannot stack GUACDAY across multiple sides on a single entrée, and it cannot combine with the recurring Rewards free-queso-and-chips offer on the same transaction. It is while supplies last, though chips and guac rarely sell out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the GUACDAY code at Qdoba?
Enter GUACDAY at checkout on the QDOBA app or QDOBA.com, or tell the cashier the code in store, then buy any regular-sized entrée. The regular chips-and-guac side drops to $0 on your receipt. The code must be applied before you pay — you cannot add it after the order is placed. Qdoba's official promotion page lists the terms alongside the rest of the Diptember lineup.
Do I need a Qdoba Rewards account for the free guac?
No. GUACDAY is a public one-day promo and does not require a Rewards login, unlike Qdoba's recurring free-queso-and-chips member offer. You just need the code and a regular entrée. That said, creating a free Rewards account is still worth it for points on the entrée you are buying anyway, and it is separate from claiming today's free side.
Can I get the free chips and guac through DoorDash or Uber Eats?
No. Third-party delivery platforms do not process Qdoba promo codes, so GUACDAY will not apply on DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. You must order direct through the QDOBA app, QDOBA.com, or in person at a participating store. If delivery is your only option today, the code simply will not fire and you will pay full price for the side.
What counts as a regular-sized entrée?
A regular bowl, burrito, salad, three-taco order, quesadilla, or loaded nachos all qualify. The cheapest regular entrée is the veggie bowl or salad around $9.49, with chicken at about $10.99 and steak around $12.49. A kid's meal, a drink, or a standalone side does not count. The free chips-and-guac side is added on top of whatever regular entrée you buy.
Is the GUACDAY deal available in Canada?
No. This run is U.S. only, even though Qdoba's recurring free-queso-and-chips member offer sometimes spans both countries. If you are north of the border, the code will not apply at Canadian locations today. Your best Canadian alternative is Qdoba's standard policy of including guacamole free inside every entrée, which still applies there year-round.
What if my store says the GUACDAY code does not work?
First confirm the date is still September 16 and that you are ordering direct, not through a delivery app. Then check whether that specific store participates — some franchises opt out of national promos. If both check out and it still fails, the location may have disabled the code; try another nearby store or order through the QDOBA app instead, where the code is applied centrally at checkout.
Similar Deals Worth Checking Out
If you miss GUACDAY or just want more free Mexican-chain sides, several related offers are live this month. Qdoba returns with code QUESODAY on September 20 for free chips and queso with a regular entrée — the same structure, different dip. Moe's Southwest Grill is running a free cup of queso with no purchase necessary on September 20, which is the easiest freebie of the bunch.
Chipotle, Qdoba's biggest rival, takes the opposite approach and charges for guacamole on most orders, though it runs its own periodic free-entrée and double-protein promos. For non-restaurant guac, Stop & Shop has been giving away free 8 oz Nature's Promise guacamole tubs through mid-September. And if you want a queso fix on the go, Love's Travel Stops offers a free steak-and-queso taco for Rewards members.
About Qdoba
Qdoba is a fast-casual Mexican chain founded in Denver in 1995, now operating more than 750 U.S. locations. Its signature differentiator is a simple one: every build-your-own entrée includes 3-Cheese Queso and hand-smashed guacamole at no extra charge, a policy the brand has held since October 2014. That free-dip stance directly challenges Chipotle, which still adds about $2.95 for guacamole on most orders.
The "Diptember" campaign running September 1 through November 2 is Qdoba's push to spotlight its 14 dips, salsas, and sauces, including the new Queso Fundido. GUACDAY and QUESODAY are the two headline freebie days inside that window.
The chain has leaned into dip-centric promotions as younger diners increasingly pick restaurants based on signature sauces and condiments. With more than 750 U.S. locations, Qdoba trails Chipotle's roughly 3,000 U.S. stores but competes head-on on the free-dip promise it has held since October 2014.
