Denny's, the family restaurant chain that is an icon of middle-America, yesterday caught the recessionary spirit of the times by giving away an estimated 2m free breakfasts to customers, as it strives to revitalise its flagging fortunes.

Denny's said it would serve its popular "Grand Slam" eggs, bacon, sausage and pancake breakfast for free between 6am and 2pm in what is believed to be one of the biggest promotions of its type ever.