Feeling the strain of a national coin shortage, one Chick-fil-A location in Lynchburg, Virginia, is offering patrons free food in exchange for rolls of coins. Any customer who brings in $10 in coins to exchange for $10 in paper bills gets free food vouchers as a thank you.
The offering comes after the U.S. Mint issued a statement last Thursday, urging Americans to “start spending their coins” after thousands of people have stopped using cash and establishments are refusing to accept coins and dollar bills amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Until coin circulation patterns return to normal, it may be more difficult for retailers and small businesses to accept cash payments,” the Mint said in a statement. “For millions of Americans, cash is the only form of payment and cash transactions rely on coins to make change.”
As for production, the Mint said it has operated at “full production capacity” since mid-June, “minting almost 1.6 billion coins during the month of June.”
Hoping to jumpstart the use of coins — an restock its own diminishing stash— a Lynchburg Chick-fil-A is handing out free food vouchers to any customer who brings in $10 in coins in exchange for $10 in paper bills.
“We will thank you with a Chick-fil-A card toward a future purchase,” reads the post. “Any $10 combination of ROLLED coin denominations accepted. Limited time offer until need is met. Maximum 10 coupon cards per guest.”
In the comments, the quick-service restaurant location described its “raving fans” as “awesome” and called their response to the coin drive “overwhelming.”