'This is a treat': Denny's offers free Grand Slam breakfasts

NEW YORK -- The restaurant chain is giving away the free Grand Slams, which include pancakes, eggs, bacon strips and sausage links, to any customer visiting its restaurants on Tuesday between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Denny's has promoted the freebie heavily, with a 30-second ad that aired during the third quarter of the Super Bowl on Sunday, another 15-second ad during the post-game show and a full page ad in USA TODAY's Monday editions. The company reported 14 million hits on its website between Sunday night and Monday morning.

With the promotion only underway a few hours, spokeswoman Cori Rice said restaurants in Miami, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles were reporting long lines and other locations said they were very busy but under control.

"From all reports, it's going extremely well," Rice said.

The company anticipates up to 2 million people will take advantage of the deal, with Rice saying each restaurant will be able to churn out about 100 Grand Slams an hour.

Denny's, which has more than 1,500 locations, sells more than 12.5 million Grand Slam breakfasts a year.

With consumers continuing to pull back on their spending during the recession, the breakfast market has become increasingly focused on value meals in an attempt to grab those still willing to spend but looking to get the most bang for their buck.

Denny's said it is trying to change customers' perceptions that Denny's is only a place for a sit-down breakfast that will take a lengthy period of time. It can provide breakfasts to go as well as have food prepared within 10 minutes if the customers would like fast service, according to Rice.