Sunday is the day to thank dads and treat them to a meal.

To help families celebrate Dad and save a little money, several restaurants are offering free treats and discounts.

And this Father's Day is expected to be record-breaking.

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey, Americans are expected to spend an estimated $16 billion on gifts for dad this year, more than ever before and up from last year’s $15.3 billion.

Gifts that dads can enjoy with families, like outings and meals, are growing in popularity and the federation estimates nearly 47% of consumers planned an outing.

Restaurants are expected to be busy Saturday and Sunday, said Brad Plothow, vice president of brand and communications for Womply, a small business software provider.

“While not as massive as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day weekend is one of the busiest of the entire year for local restaurants," Plothow said. "So, if you’re planning to take Dad out for brunch or dinner this Saturday or Sunday, be sure to call ahead and get a reservation.”

Baking Dad a cake?: Check your pantry for King Arthur Flour, which was recently recalled

June deals: How, where to get free food – smoothies, burritos and tacos – and discounts

The deals and freebies

The following freebies and specials are only available Father's Day at participating locations unless otherwise noted. To be on the safe side, always check with your closest location before heading out. Also, some will require you to have a restaurant's app or be signed up for emails.

Another Broken Egg Cafe: On Saturday and Sunday, dads get a $10 Brunch Buck to redeem Monday through July 14.

Applebee’s: There’s not a nationwide special check with your closest location as some franchises might have various promotions. Plus, the June Neighborhood Drink of the Month is the $1 Vodka Raspberry Lemonade.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s: Dads get a free meal with purchase of another entrée up to $10 value.

B.GOOD: Through Sunday, dads get a free adult entree with the purchase of a kid's meal.

Bite Squad: Get free delivery through Sunday with promo code "DADBOD" on the app or online.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Dads get a free pint glass while supplies last and a 20% VIP card valid June 17 through July 7.

Boston Market: Through Sunday, get a free sandwich when you buy a sandwich and a drink with a coupon posted at www.bostonmarket.com.

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar: Through Sunday, ribs are $16.99.

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza: Get a buy-one-get-one free pizza deal Sunday when you show a Facebook post.

Bruegger's Bagels: Inner Circle Members get a buy-one-get-one-free sandwich coupon to use Sunday. If you're not a member, sign up at www.brueggers.com.

Buffalo’s Café: Get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on entrées.

Carolina Ale House‏: Dads get a free burger Sunday at participating locations with a minimum $10 purchase.

Carrabba's Italian Grill: For a limited time, dine-in and order a regular-priced entrée and take home select meals such as Chicken Bryan or Lasagne, with a soup or salad for $10

Carvel: Buy Dad a Fudgie the Whale Cake and get free limited-edition Fudgie the Whale Hats while supplies last. The gift is available at all full-service Carvel shops nationwide Sunday.

Casa Ole: Through Sunday, get $1 house margaritas with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit two per person.

Cicis: Pick three items from a select menu and each item is $3.99. The menu includes a medium one-topping pizza, 24-count Cheesy Bread, 20 cinnamon rolls or a 24 brownies.

Duffy's Sports Grill: Dads get a free pint of beer with any meal purchase and a $10 MVP bonus added to their loyalty account. Join the program at www.duffysmvp.com.

El Fenix: Get $1 Bud Light and Dos Equis draft beer Sunday.

El Pollo Loco: Through Sunday, get a 12-piece Fire-Grilled Familia Dinner for $20 with a coupon posted at www.elpolloloco.com/fathersday. Print the coupon or show on your mobile device.

Firehouse Subs: With a coupon Sunday, dads get a free medium sub with purchase of a full-priced medium or large sub, plus chips and a drink.

Fogo de Chão: Dads who dine in Sunday get a card for a free Full Churrasco lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch, redeemable June 17 through Aug. 29. While supplies last.

First Watch: Dads get a free small bag of premium coffee with their meals while supplies last.

Glory Days Grill: Through Sunday, dads get a free $10 dining card when dining in.

Godiva: Through Sunday, bring dad and get a buy-one-get-one 50% off deal on soft serve and Chocolixir.

Hooters: Dads get 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of any 10 wings.

Hurricane Grill & Wings: With purchase of another meal of equal or greater value, dads eat free Sunday.

Ike's Sandwiches: Get a buy-one-get-one-free sandwich deal Saturday and Sunday when you “bring your daddy” and show a Facebook post. According to the post, your “daddy” can be anyone.

Islands: Get $4 small draft and bottled beers and $5 large draft beers Sunday.

Jet's Pizza: Get a small, All Meaty pizza for $7.99 with the code DAD.

LaMar's Donuts: Dads get a free doughnut and a free small coffee Sunday.

Macaroni Grill: Get a special two-course prix fixe menu for $25, which includes choice of select entrees and dessert.

Max and Erma’s Restaurants: For $10 Sunday, build your own cheeseburger and get a pint of beer.

Metro Diner: Get $2.99 beers and a Steak & Eggs special Father's Day weekend.

Miller's Ale House: Get a Prime Rib dinner special for $14.99 Sunday at all locations, no coupon required. Plus at locations in Florida, Nevada, Tennessee and Virginia, dad gets a free pint of Miller Lite.

Orange Leaf Yogurt: With a coupon, dads get free frozen yogurt at some locations and $3.30 off at "Weigh and Pay" locations.

PDQ: Dads get a free meal with the purchase of any meal, bowl or salad Sunday.

Penn Station East Coast Subs: With a coupon Sunday, get a free six-inch with the purchase of any sub of equal or greater value.

P.F. Chang's: According to a Facebook post, share a "cold one with your favorite guy" and he gets a free Sapporo bottle opener Sunday, while supplies last.

Pizza Inn: Existing rewards members will receive one free adult buffet with the purchase of one adult buffet Sunday. You must be a rewards member by 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

Pluckers Wing Bar: Dads eat free Sunday.

Pollo Tropical: Get two Original Family Meals deal, which includes two whole chickens, rice and beans and rolls for $19.99 with code M30456 Sunday.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Through Sunday, dads get a free shake with any purchase. Potbelly says just "tell the cashier it’s Father’s Day."

Primanti Bros.: Dads get a free Classic Primanti Bros. Almost Famous Sandwich when hey spend at least $3.99, which is the price of a kids meal.

Smokey Bones: Dads who dine in during Father’s Day weekend get a $10 Bonus Bucks gift card for their next visit.

Sonny’s BBQ: Dads get all-you-can-eat baby back ribs for $18.99 Sunday.

TCBY: Dads get their first six ounces of frozen yogurt free Sunday. Some locations will give a free small cup or cone.

Texas de Brazil: For each full meal purchased Sunday, get a free non-alcoholic beverage and a dessert.

Texas Steakhouse & Saloon: Dads dining in Sunday get a coupon for a free entrée to use on their next visit.

Tijuana Flats: Dads get a free taco Sunday when they mention the Father’s Day deal. Limit one per guest and specialty tacos not included.

Waitr: Get free delivery through Sunday with promo code "DADBOD" on the app or online.

Wienerschnitzel: Dads get a free Old-Fashioned Sundae Sunday.

More deals and freebies: Locally-owned businesses and smaller chains also will treat dads Sunday and one of the easiest ways to find out about specials is to check restaurants' social media channels.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Free meals, treats and discounts for Dad: Here's where to score for Father's Day