Dairy Queen is treating fans to free ice cream to kick off the start of spring. On Thursday, March 20, customers can get a free small vanilla cone at participating Dairy Queen restaurants nationwide for Free Cone Day, according to the Minnesota-based burger chain. No purchase is required, except at participating mall locations.

Dairy Queen will be bidding a sweet goodbye to the cold with a soft serve treat to celebrate the first day of spring. Participating DQ restaurants will spring forward with the annual Free Cone Day on March 20,

Dairy Queen is offering free ice cream for the first day of spring this year. Why it matters: It's free ice cream, very little additional explanation is needed. The big picture: Several chains are offering freebies or discounts to kick off the season,