http://nrn.com/fast-casual/boston-ma...down-promotion

Boston Market is targeting a promotion to workers furloughed by the government shutdown, one of the first restaurant chains to do so.

Federal employees and military personnel can receive a free whole rotisserie chicken with the purchase of a family meal at any U.S. Boston Market restaurant, in a weeklong promotion that starts Sunday.

“Government employees and our servicemen and women have been some of our best customers over the years, and we appreciate all that they do for our country. Extending this offer to them is a little something we can do to give them a break during a stressful time,” George Michel, chief executive of Golden, Colo.-based Boston Market, said in a statement.

From Oct. 6-13, federal employees and military personnel with a valid government I.D. will receive a free whole extra chicken when they purchase a family meal, which could include chicken, meatloaf, turkey or St. Louis-style barbecued ribs, as well as sides and cornbread. Typically family meals are priced between $5 to $6 per person.

Alternatively, those eligible can also ask for a coupon that can be redeemed later.

The 460-unit fast-casual chain joins a long list of independent restaurants in various markets, particularly around Washington, D.C., that are offering discounts to show support for workers impacted by the government shutdown.

About 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed without pay since Oct. 1, after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government as a result of bipartisan gridlock.

Earlier this week, the movie theater chain AMC Theaters said it would offer free popcorn to government workers until the shutdown ends.