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Kroger’s Free Ice Cream Giveaway Was a Hit — Will It Return Next Summer?

92,000 free pints, four new flavors, and one burning question: will the scoop return in 2026?

By KrogerFan | August 7, 2025

This summer, Kroger didn’t just help shoppers beat the heat — it brought the sweet.

On June 20, to mark the official start of summer, the grocery giant gave away a whopping 92,000 pints of Kroger Brand ice cream — one for each day of the 92-day season. The free ice cream coupon, available through FreeKrogerIceCream.com, had fans scrambling online right at 12 p.m. ET, hoping to score their single-use pint of frozen joy.

But now that the promotion has melted away, shoppers are asking: Was this a one-time treat, or the start of a delicious summer tradition?

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A Scoop So Popular, It Vanished Fast

“I set an alarm for noon and still missed it — by 12:07 it was gone!” said Erica M., a Kroger customer from Ohio, on Instagram. “Please bring it back next year, but like… with double the pints?”

And she’s not alone. Social media buzzed with hashtags like #FreeKrogerIceCream, #SummerInAPint, and even #KrogerCrash (a tongue-in-cheek reference to users reporting slowdowns on the site due to heavy traffic).

According to Kroger’s Group VP of Center Store Merchandising, Mike Murphy, the overwhelming interest wasn’t a surprise.

“Last year, we gave away 45,000 pints and were amazed by the customer response,” he said in a press release. “So this summer, we decided to double down — literally — and give away 92,000.”

The Flavors That Made It Even Sweeter

While the freebie was technically good for any Kroger Brand ice cream pint, many shoppers used it to try out the limited-edition “Summer in a Pint” collection, which returned this year with four quirky, seasonal flavors:

     

      • Italian Style Summer Fizz: Blood orange sherbet with popping candy clusters and a citrusy ribbon.

      • Fireside Nights: Toasted marshmallow ice cream with gooey s’mores pieces and a shimmering orange swirl.

      • Sandy Shores: Creamy coconut ice cream packed with salty-sweet pretzel crunch.

      • Poolside Tan Lines: A trio of vanilla bean, chocolate, and coffee ice creams swirled into one nostalgic blend.

    All four were only available for a limited time, and yes — they sold fast.

    “I didn’t expect to fall in love with Poolside Tan Lines, but now I’m mourning it like a summer fling,” joked Devon L., a Kroger shopper from Georgia. “Can they bring that back too?”

    The Fine Print — and Where It Didn’t Work

    The free coupon was redeemable from June 20 to July 4 at most Kroger family stores, including Fry’s, Fred Meyer, Smith’s, and Dillons — but not in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee, or Nevada. And shoppers at QFC, Metro Market, Pick ‘n Save, and Mariano’s were also out of luck.

    That didn’t stop people in those states from voicing their FOMO online. Some even coordinated with out-of-state friends to snag pints on their behalf.

    Will Kroger Do It Again in 2026?

    There’s been no official confirmation yet, but judging by the buzz — and the very public pleas on social media — there’s a good chance Kroger’s Summer in a Pint giveaway becomes an annual tradition.

    With limited-edition flavors, clever timing around the summer solstice, and shareable social moments, the campaign ticked every box for a successful seasonal marketing strategy.

    “It’s the perfect combo of fun, flavor, and loyalty-building,” said Retail Marketing Analyst Carla Huynh. “People associate Kroger with everyday grocery needs, but this type of seasonal stunt makes them memorable — and very shareable.”

    What to Watch For Next Year

    If the free ice cream giveaway returns in 2026, here’s how to make sure you don’t miss it:

       

        • Set a reminder for June 20 at noon ET.

        • Keep an eye on Kroger’s socials in early June for official announcements or teasers.

        • Bookmark this story — we’ll update it if the giveaway comes back!

      Until then, you’ll just have to settle for paying for your ice cream like everyone else — but maybe, just maybe, next summer will bring another sweet surprise.