While most of Boston is mourning the end of the Red Sox’ franchise-record-tying 15-game win streak—snapped by a 5–1 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday—one local business may be breathing a sigh of relief.
99 Restaurants has been running a “kids eat free after every Red Sox win” deal since 2008—decades after the club’s last comparable win streaks, which came in 1946 (also 15 games) and 1948 (13 games). But when New Englanders finally got a prolonged shot at the promotion this month, they were not shy about taking advantage.
The casual dining chain told Front Office Sports it gave away “thousands” of free kids meals during the streak, which lasted from July 2 to July 22. It declined to disclose specific dollar amount equivalents, but with kids meals averaging $8 each, a conservative estimate puts the giveaway’s value at at least $16,000, while an upper-end approximation exceeds $60,000.
Eighty-seven of the chain’s 93 locations across six New England states participated in the promotion; the only six that did not are in New York. Locations in and around Boston saw the highest redemption, according to the company.
Some of the deal’s value was extracted by uber-repeat customers, like Kory Janelle.
“We probably went to our 99 eight times this month,” said the Boston resident, who also runs a popular Celtics fan page on Instagram. “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.”
Still, the New England–based chain was prepared to meet the demand. Michelle Govine, 99’s SVP of marketing, said the company “made sure every restaurant participating in the promotion was fully stocked” and well-staffed.
“Bringing families together through a shared love of sports is something that is core to who we are,” she added.
Not the First Time
99 isn’t the first company to be tested by an MLB win streak.
George Webb Restaurants, a Wisconsin chain known for its burgers, began a promotion in the 1940s that promised free burgers to customers if the Brewers won 17 games in a row. That number eventually changed to 12 games in 1970 and was reached in 1987 for the first time.
Milwaukee had a 14-game win streak during the 2025 season, fulfilling the promotion’s requirements and leading George Webb to give out nearly 100,000 free burger vouchers.
In 2017, Cleveland-based exterior remodeling company, Universal Windows Direct, offered full refunds to customers on any July orders if the city’s team won 15 games in a row anytime from Aug. 1 through the rest of the season.
Cleveland would go on to set MLB’s second-longest win streak, winning 22 in a row and forcing Universal Windows to pay back $1.7 million to its customers. The company did spend $75,000 on an insurance policy to cover all sales during the promotion.
The Red Sox open a three-game homestand against the Blue Jays on Friday night, giving New England families another shot at free kids meals—and Janelle another reason to skip cooking.
“My kids, they don’t really have a choice,” he said. “If the Red Sox win, they know we’re going to 99.”
