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. I’ve read that they give you goodies on your birthday and anniversary, but their site doesn’t confirm this.
Baskin Robbins
Sign up for their Birthday Club to receive a free scoop of ice cream and a $3 discount on a birthday cake on your birthday. You can also elect to receive exclusive offers and discounts all year long.
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.
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 $3 off your next meal of $10 or more. Sign up for their text club and receive a free dessert with any individual meal purchase.
Buca di Beppo
This Italian restaurant gives you a free small pasta dish when you sign up for their eClub and a $20 gift card 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.
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 DD Perks and get a free beverage when you sign up, a treat on your birthday and a free beverage for every 200 points you earn.
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.
Friendly’s
Join their BFF program and receive special promotions as well as benefits like $1 off 2 ice cream cartons and $3 off ice cream cakes.
Godiva
Join their Rewards Club and get a special birthday gift, a free chocolate every month, free shipping on one order and access to exclusive sales.
IHOP
Sign up for their Pancake Revolution program and get free pancakes for signing up as well as on your birthday and the anniversary of when you joined. You’ll also periodically receive special offers.
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 2-pack of croissants or muffins, as well as other special offers (like free meals).
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Download the Moe’s app and receive free nachos for signing up (with the purchase of any regular or large drink). You’ll also receive a free burrito on your birthday.
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 for signing up. You can also earn rewards with every purchase that can be redeemed for your favorite Panera foods.
Pizza Express
Join My Pizza Express and receive a free birthday goodie.
Red Robin
Sign up for Royalty Rewards and get a free birthday burger, every 10th item free, and $20 towards your 6th visit as long as you visit five times in the first five weeks (you must purchase a entrée, full-sized salad or burger/sandwich to qualify).
Red, Hot and Blue
If you like barbeque, sign up for the RHB Club and receive a coupon for signing up and a surprise on your birthday.
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 FOS diner rewards and receive $1 for every dollar you spend on food and beverages. The membership is $25, but you’ll receive a $25 credit for any of their participating locations. Also, if you celebrate your birthday or anniversary at one of their restaurants, you’ll receive a complimentary dessert.
Starbucks
Join the Starbucks Rewards program and get a free birthday reward, plus free in-store refills. Also, with every purchase, you earn 2 “stars” for every dollar you spend. The stars can be redeemed for free food and drinks.
Steak ‘n’ Shake
Join their eClub and receive a free Double ’n Cheese ’n Fries and a free Specialty Milkshake on your birthday.
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 $20 off the purchase of two dinners as well as gifts on your birthday and anniversary.
TGI Friday’s
Sign up for the TGI Fridays Rewards program and get freebies, like chips and salsa, when you visit. You’ll also receive other exclusive rewards and invites.
UNO
Join their Insider’s Club and receive a welcome gift 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 My Kids Eat Free for locations near you.