San Diego — QDOBA is introducing a nationwide Turkey Trot Challenge on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, allowing turkey trot participants to earn a free burrito entrée, along with a chance to win free QDOBA for a year.
According to the company’s announcement, the fast-casual chain will reward runners who dress up as a QDOBA burrito, post a race photo on Instagram, and tag the brand. The offer applies to any Thanksgiving Day community race, and all participants must be QDOBA Rewards members.
QDOBA said the challenge is open to runners nationwide, encouraging both store-bought and homemade burrito costumes. Every qualified participant will receive a free burrito reward delivered to their QDOBA Rewards account, while one winner will receive a $700 gift card, equivalent to 52 burrito entrées.
How the challenge works
QDOBA outlined three steps for entry on November 27, 2025:
- Dress up in a QDOBA burrito costume for any Thanksgiving race
- Take a photo at the event
- Post to Instagram with #QDOBA_Giveaway and tag @QDOBA
Participants must be QDOBA Rewards members and follow the brand’s Instagram account. The company said new members who join through QDOBA.com or the mobile app receive complimentary queso and chips at sign-up.
The challenge is open regardless of whether the local event is called a “turkey trot,” “gobble wobble,” half-marathon, or another race type, as long as it takes place on Thanksgiving Day.
Denver activation adds branded foil blankets
QDOBA will host an on-site activation at the 52nd Mile High United Way Turkey Trot in Denver, distributing branded foil blankets made to resemble the chain’s burrito wrap. According to the company, runners who are not in costume can still enter the challenge by wrapping themselves in the blanket, taking a photo, and sharing it on Instagram with the required hashtag and tag.
Why it matters
QDOBA’s Thanksgiving campaign taps into the growing intersection of community events, user-generated content, and loyalty-driven incentives. Holiday-themed promotions have become a key opportunity for fast-casual chains to engage customers outside traditional dining occasions.
By attaching a Rewards-based incentive, QDOBA reinforces digital engagement while expanding its reach during a high-traffic season for social participation and family-oriented activities.
The challenge also reflects the broader industry trend of brands leaning into experiential marketing, using community touchpoints, shareable visuals, and playful activations to drive loyalty and visibility.
Editor’s note: Source86 perspective
For restaurant chains and fast-casual brands, campaigns like QDOBA’s Turkey Trot Challenge show how experience-based promotions can deepen customer engagement. They also help boost loyalty app usage. User-generated content and event-based participation add social visibility, creating a feedback loop that strengthens brand recognition and digital adoption.
At Source86, we support food manufacturers, private label brands, and restaurant groups with ingredient sourcing, retail-ready solutions, bulk procurement, co-manufacturing, FSQA oversight, and supply chain visibility.
Whether developing limited-time offerings or scaling national promotions, we help brands maintain consistency, transparency, and operational efficiency across their supply chains. Contact us.
EXTERNAL SOURCE: QDOBA Launches QDOBA Turkey Trot Challenge: Free Burritos for Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Participants Nationwide
FAQs
Every verified participant earns a free burrito entrée reward in their QDOBA Rewards account. One grand-prize winner will receive free burritos for a year, provided as a $700 QDOBA gift card.
No. Any Thanksgiving Day community race qualifies — including half marathons, fun runs, and holiday-themed events with different names.
Yes. All entrants must be QDOBA Rewards members, follow @QDOBA on Instagram, and post their costume photo with the correct hashtag to participate.
