I know we get a 50% discount at Hardees, and I accept it, but I would never ask for one or expect one. I just graduated from a university with a business degree and we had this discussion in one of my classes. I was taught by one of my professors that it is actually illegal because it poses a threat to equality. I'm sure you are asking how, and I was too, and my professor simply put it like this, which especially can apply to your rural areas where fire-fighters are volunteers or there may only be one ambulance crew for the entire county. If one place offers you a discount or free food/drinks, and they both catch on fire at the same time, it can be argued that fire-fighters will go to the place that offers free food/drinks first......Same for EMS, if two calls come in simultaneously, EMS might prioritize based on the fact that one gives out freebies or a discount and go there first. I, personally, do not have a clear opinion on this topic because I love getting discounts and free-bies, I mean who doesn't Just letting y'all in on what I was taught by my particular professor....doesn't mean it's true in all areas or true at all, but it came from a reliable source