They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but that's only if you don't have the McDonald's app on your phone.
The fast food giant is giving away a 6-piece McNuggets to every customer on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in celebration of the item's 40th anniversary.
To get the free nuggets, customers will need to download the McDonald's app and create a free account. From there, they will be able to select the "FREE 6pc Chicken McNuggets, no purchase necessary" deal on the app's landing page and check out.
The deal is available today only, and can be redeemed only once per customer.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
Though McDonald's has been around since 1955, the now-iconic McNuggets weren't invented until a full three decades into its lifespan.
Per McDonald's own company lore, the product was a byproduct of research that the company's former executive chef, René Arend, was doing while trying to create onion nuggets.
Money Report
During the development process for the onion nuggets, McDonald's chairman Fred Turner told Arend to work on chicken instead, and the team pivoted to the McNugget.
Within a year of adding it to US menus in 1983 — first in 6-piece, 9-piece and 20-piece denominations, according to the company — McDonald's began making the product available worldwide.
You can download the McDonald's app here.
Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter
Don't miss: This new JPMorgan job listing promises a '$30,000 annual restaurant budget'—here's what to know