We all love free stuff, right? If you’re willing to provide your email address to receive ongoing offers, there are lots of ways to get free food, especially on special occasions like your birthday or anniversary. Because signing up often means receiving a steady stream of promotional emails, consider setting up an extra email address (via Gmail or another free provider) just for emails like these. That way, you can peruse the offers when you feel like it, but they won’t clog up the email address that you use every day.
Best Places to Get Free Food
Abuelo’s
Sign up for the eClub of this Mexican restaurant and receive a sign-up gift, special offers on your birthday and earn points towards free food.
Au Bon Pain
Join their eClub and receive a free travel mug, discounted coffee, and periodic offers throughout the year, including a free birthday lunch!
Baskin Robbins
Sign up for their rewards program and receive a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday. You can also opt to receive exclusive offers and discounts year-round.
Ben & Jerry’s
One day each year, all Ben & Jerry’s locations worldwide offer free cones. The big day is typically in April and announced after New Year’s. You can also you can sign up for the Flavor Fanatics program to receive something special on your birthday.
Benihana
Join their Chef’s Club and receive a free $30 gift card during your birthday month.
Boston Market
Join their VIP eClub and receive a dessert, such as a fresh-baked cookie, with your first purchase, plus a special treat or offer during your birthday month.
Buca di Beppo
When you join the Buca eClub, you will receive $10 off your next visit after joining and a free Colossal Brownie Sunday on your birthday.
California Tortilla
Sign up for their Burrito Elito rewards program and earn one point for every dollar you spend. When you reach 75 points, get $5 to spend at California Tortilla.
California Pizza Kitchen
Join their Rewards program and receive a free appetizer plus 1 point for every $1 you spend (75 points $5). You’ll also receive a free birthday dessert and special offers all year long.
Caribou Coffee
Join Caribou Perks and receive a free beverage after signing up and ongoing rewards for being a member.
Chipotle
Receive a free guac when you sign up for their loyalty program.
Cold Stone Creamery
Join the My Cold Stone Club and receive 25 bonus points, 1 point for every dollar you spend (50 points = $5), plus a BOGO Creation coupon for your birthday (a “creation” is one of their ice creams where you choose the flavors and mix-ins). Members also receive exclusive offers throughout the year.
Denny’s
Sign up for Denny’s Rewards and receive 20 percent off your next visit, a treat on your birthday and rewards throughout the year. You must be 18 years old to join.
Dunkin Donuts
Sign up for Dunkin’ Rewards and receive a free medium coffee or tea, a perk we hear can be redeemed for 14 consecutive days as long as you make a purchase each time. Also, receive 3x points on your birthday as well as the days before and after.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Become a Friend of Fleming’s and receive a “special gift” if you have a meal there within thirty days of your birthday. These gifts can be a free box of truffles or even a champagne toast!
Friendly’s
Join the Friendly’s Fan Club and receive a free medium sundae for signing up and another during your birthday month. You also earn 1 point for every $1 spent on qualified purchases at select locations. When you reach 50 points, you get $5 off your next purchase.
IHOP
Sign up for their International Bank of Pancakes loyalty program and receive a free stack of 5 pancakes after your first purchase as a member. You also earn 1 “PanCoin” for every $5 you spend, which can be exchanged for select items. You receive 5 PanCoins for your birthday, which equals a free stack of 5 pancakes.
Mimi’s Cafe
Join the eClub for Mimi’s Café, which has locations mostly in the Southern half of the US, and receive a free 4-pack of Mimi’s Signature Classic Muffins. For birthdays, members receive a sweet treat, like a sundae, or a $10 off coupon. Members also receive a treat on their sign-in anniversary.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
When you download the app and join the loyalty program, you receive a free cup of queso with the minimum purchase of a beverage. On birthdays, receive a free cup of queso or guac as long as you have spent $10 in the past year.
Outback Steakhouse
Join their Dine Rewards program and receive 50% off (up to $20) every 4th visit. Dine Rewards is also available at Fleming’s, Carrabba’s and Bonefish Grill.
Panera
Join My Panera and receive a treat, like a baked item, with your first purchase. You may also receive 30 days of free delivery. You also earn 10 points for every dollar you spend. Points can be redeemed for various items.
Red Robin
New loyalty members currently receive a free appetizer with a $10 minimum purchase. During your birthday month, you receive a free Gourmet, Tavern, or Veggie burger with a $4.99 minimum purchase (you must also have spent at least $10 at Red Robin within the past year before the last day of the month prior to your birthday month). You also earn 1 point for every $1 spent on qualifying items. When you reach 100 points, you receive a $10 reward for another visit.
Red, Hot and Blue
If you like barbeque, join the Pig Pen Loyalty Club (formerly the RHB Club) to receive a sign-up reward and a $10 reward on your birthday. You can also earn points with each purchase, redeemable for a $10 reward during another visit.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Sign up for their The Dish program and receive a $5 coupon. This is not confirmed on their site, but I’ve heard that if you indicate your birthday and anniversary, you’ll receive special offers (possibly for a free dessert or tapas) around those dates.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Join Ruth’s Regulars and receive a free appetizer (up to $25 in value) after your first purchase as a member. You’ll also receive a free seasonal dessert when celebrating your birthday or anniversary. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on food and non-alcoholic beverages, and exchange 1000 points for a $50 reward (some locations may offer a $25 reward for 500 points).
Starbucks
Join the Starbucks Rewards program and receive one free beverage or one food item (or one bottled beverage) on your birthday, as long as you joined the program at least seven days prior and earned at least one Star in the previous year. Stars are based on how you pay: 2 Stars per $1 when you pay with a pre-loaded Starbucks Card in the app or 1 Star per $1 when you pay with cash, credit, or debit. The stars can be redeemed for free food and drinks. Members also receive free refills on brewed coffee (hot, Iced, or Cold Brew) and tea (hot or iced) during the same store visit.
Steak ‘n Shake
Download the app and join Steak ‘n Shake Rewards to receive a free specialty milkshake after your first purchase of $1 or more. Receive a free specialty milkshake on your birthday or for two weeks afterward. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent. For every 20 points, receive a $2 reward that can be used on any menu item.
Ted’s Montana Grill
Become a Ted’s Insider and receive a free dessert on your birthday, a free appetizer on your anniversary and exclusive updates and rewards.
Texas de Brazil
Sign up for their eClub and get 25 percent off one dinner, lunch, or salad area. You also receive this on your birthday. If you are celebrating your anniversary, receive a free dessert. Members also receive exclusive monthly offers and event invitations.
TGI Friday’s
Sign up for the TGI Fridays Rewards program and get a free appetizer coupon, which can be redeemed when you purchase an entree. Members also receive freebies, like chips and salsa (or $3 off an appetizer), when you visit. You’ll also receive other exclusive rewards and invites, and you can earn 1 point for every $1 spent on food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Join their Insider’s Club and receive a free individual pizza with any purchase, as well as special savings and invites.
FREE FOOD FOR KIDS: Many restaurants offer free meals to kids on certain days of the week. Check this list for locations near you.
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