25 Birthday Food Freebies

What’s better than good food on your birthday? Free good food!

Donna Fuscaldo and Sheryl Jean,

AARP

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Published November 07, 2024

a birthday cake with a five and zero candle on it

AARP (Getty 12)

Whether you like casual dining, fast food or sweet treats, restaurants around the country want to celebrate your birthday with you.

Make no mistake, they’re not just doing it out of the goodness of their hearts — they hope you’ll thank them by becoming a loyal customer. Also, many require you to join their loyalty program or sign up for an email subscription, and some require you to make a purchase or spend a certain amount of money to receive the freebie. (You may also need to provide proof it’s your birthday, so have your ID on you.)

Nonetheless, the deals and discounts are enticing, if you know where to find them. And they’re as varied as the restaurants offering them, ranging from free desserts to entrees.

To maximize the savings on your birthday, April Lewis-Parks, director of financial education at Consolidated Credit, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based nonprofit credit-counseling organization, says to be proactive and get on your favorite restaurants' mailing or email lists ahead of your birthday month. "The key is to plan ahead — sign up a few weeks before your birthday to ensure you’re eligible for these promotions,” she says.

"Some offers extend through your entire birthday month," she adds. "It's an easy way to treat yourself and get more for less, with the only 'cost' being an email address or phone number.”

Before your next birthday, be sure to check out our list of restaurants that want to celebrate you.

1. Abuelo's

If Mexican food is just what you’re looking for on your birthday, signing up for the Mi Abuelo's reward program gets you a special gift on your birthday. Find your local Abuelo's here.

2. Applebee's

At this restaurant chain, you receive a free dessert on your birthday, but there’s a catch: You have to spend at least $15 to get the freebie, and other exclusions apply. You also have to be a member of Club Applebee's to reap the reward. Find your local Applebee's here.

3. Auntie Anne's

Have a hankering for a big pretzel? Auntie Anne's will give you a free pretzel on your birthday if you spend at least $10 annually. You have to be a member of Auntie Anne’s loyalty program; it's free to join, and you get 10 points for every dollar spent. (A free pretzel is 250 points.) Find your local Auntie Anne's here.

4. Baja Fresh

Join Club Baja to receive a birthday treat. Your reward will be loaded to your rewards account and must be used 7 days before or 7 days after your birthday — and of course, on your birthday works too. Find your local Baja Fresh here.

5. Baskin-Robbins

If you’re craving ice cream on your birthday, you’re in luck. Baskin-Robbins will email you a coupon code for a free 2.5-ounce scoop if you opt in to Baskin-Robbins’ Birthday Club. The deal excludes all waffle cone varieties and toppings. Find your local Baskin-Robbins here.

6. Benihana

If you register for Benihana's Chef's Table, you will be emailed a $30 birthday certificate 8-10 days before your birthday and have 29 days from the date the certificate is issued to redeem it. Just keep in mind that you must bring a printed copy of the certificate with you to the restaurant and that it can only be used during the restaurant’s dinner hours Monday-Thursday with a $30 purchase. Find your local Benihana here.

7. Bojangles

Free biscuit on your birthday? Yes please. Enroll in Bojangles' E-Club, and you will receive a coupon for a free Bo-Berry Biscuit with purchase. Find your local Bojangles here.

8. Buca di Beppo

In the mood for some family-style Italian dining on your birthday? Buca di Beppo restaurant’s eClub offers exclusive offers and coupons — plus a $20-off coupon with a minimum purchase of $40, as well as a free family-style brownie sundae on your birthday. Buon appetito! Find your local Buca di Beppo here.

9. Buffalo Wild Wings

Wing lovers who join Buffalo Wild Wings' Blazin' Rewards loyalty program can celebrate their birthday for the entire month with six free wings at each visit. You can also rack up points on the app, which translates into more freebies. Checking in at the bar and telling the waitstaff your favorite sports team are easy ways to earn extra reward points. Find your local Buffalo Wild Wings here.

10. Chick-fil-A

Whether you get a free dessert, milkshake, frosted drink, grilled chicken sandwich, chicken nuggets or an entree at this fast-food chain on your birthday depends on your level in the Chick-fil-A One Signature Members rewards program. You’ll need to be a Signature Member with 10,000 points, the highest level, to get a free entree on your birthday. Find your local Chick-fil-A here.

11. Chili’s

If Tex-Mex is what you’re craving, Chili’s rewards members get free chips and salsa or a nonalcoholic drink with every visit — plus a free dessert on your birthday. Some requirements and exclusions apply. Find your local Chili's here.

12. Chipotle

Members of Chipotle’s free loyalty program get a free side of guacamole with the purchase of $5 or more on their birthday. Find your local Chipotle here.

13. Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery's club provides a buy-one-get-one-free coupon at sign up plus a buy-one-get-one-free-creation loaded to your rewards account 7 days before your birthday. And what’s more birthday than ice cream, cakes, smoothies and shakes! Find your local Cold Stone Creamery here.

14. Dairy Queen

A birthday treat at Dairy Queen might be nice. Joining Dairy Queen's rewards allows you to earn DQ Points on every order, receive exclusive deals and get a special birthday surprise. Find your local Dairy Queen here.

15. Del Taco

If you’re angling for tacos for your big day, you can add a free dessert or shake to go along with them if you join the Del Yeah! Rewards. Find your local Del Taco here.

16. Denny’s

Denny’s birthday freebie is particularly generous. Denny’s Rewards members get one free Everyday Value Slam, which includes the choice of either two buttermilk pancakes, one slice of French toast, or a biscuit and gravy. It is served with eggs, plus two bacon strips or two sausage links. Beverages are not included, and the offer is not valid with any other coupons. The offer is valid within 30 days of your birthday. Find your local Denny's here.

17. IHOP

IHOP is among the more generous restaurant chains for birthday offers. Members of the IHOP loyalty program get a gratis stack of original buttermilk pancakes on their birthday. Find your local IHOP here.

18. Jersey Mike's Subs

Jersey Mike's got the check if you sign up for the Jersey Mike's email club — you can get a free regular-size sandwich and 22-ounce drink coupon on your birthday. But make sure to have your ID handy. Find your local Jersey Mike's Subs here.

19. Krispy Kreme

Mmm…a warm, gooey doughnut could be just the treat you’re looking for on your birthday. Join Krispy Kreme's rewards program and you’ll get a sweet treat on the first day of your birthday month, valid through the end of the month. Find your local Krispy Kreme here.

20. Landry’s Seafood House

Your birthday gets you a $25 dining credit if you are in the seafood chain’s loyalty program. That program does cost $25, but you also get a $25 reward when you sign up, as well as priority seating at its 600 locations around the country; hotel and retail discounts; and a $25 reward for every $250 you spend. Find your local Landry's Seafood here.

21. Outback Steakhouse

This steakhouse gives you a free dessert on your birthday if you are a member of its loyalty program, which is free to join. Conveniently, you can redeem the dessert at any Outback, Carrabba’s, Bonefish and Fleming's location around the country. Find your local Outback Steakhouse here.

22. Olive Garden

Olive Gardens are everywhere, making the chain a convenient place to find your birthday freebie. Receive a free dessert on your birthday when you eat at the restaurant. Find your local Olive Garden here.

23. Panera Bread

If you include your birthday when you sign up for a MyPanera account (and are an active member), you will receive a special birthday treat. Find your local Panera Bread here.

24. Popeyes

Top off a fried chicken dinner with a free apple pie on your birthday if you join Popeye’s rewards program. Find your local Popeyes here.

25. Quiznos

Sub your usual birthday dinner with…a sub. And if you join the Quiznos loyalty rewards program, you can buy one get one free on your special day. Find your local Quiznos here.

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Donna Fuscaldo has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney.

Sheryl Jean is a contributing writer who covers aging, business, technology, travel, health and human-interest stories. A former reporter for several daily metropolitan newspapers, her work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune and The Dallas Morning News and on the American Heart Association's website.