Is your birthday coming up but your budget is tight? This is a great opportunity to discover which of your go-to eateries offer complimentary treats for your special day. Many restaurants hand out birthday perks — and they’re not always limited to the exact date. Some places extend offers for an entire birthday week or even a full month, giving you plenty of chances to redeem a freebie.
Below, we’ve collected the top methods for getting complimentary food at restaurants on your birthday. We’ll explain how each offer typically works and any steps you might need to take, such as enrolling in a loyalty program or joining an email list.
How Birthday Food Perks Typically Work
Some restaurants give away free items outright; others issue discounts, coupons or offers that may require a purchase. Offers can be valid only on your birth date or available across your birth week or month. These promotions are a common strategy to get customers to register for rewards programs or subscribe to marketing emails. If the perk is tied to a dine-in visit, it also encourages you to celebrate at the restaurant. So although free food seems like a generous gesture, there’s usually a benefit for the business as well.
What You’ll Usually Need to Claim Birthday Freebies
There may be extra steps beyond simply showing up on your birthday. Restaurants often require proof of age (bring an ID), enrollment in a loyalty or rewards program, sign-up for an email list, or a minimum purchase to redeem a birthday offer.
If you have a specific restaurant in mind, check their rules in advance so you know what’s needed to qualify.
Top 25 Restaurants That Give Free Birthday Food
- Chick-fil-A: Join Chick-fil-A One to receive “something sweet” for your birthday. Offers differ by person, but it’s commonly a cookie. Look under the ‘Rewards’ tab in the Chick-fil-A app on your birthday to find yours.
- Chipotle: Enroll in the Chipotle rewards program to receive a birthday “surprise.” Previously this has included complimentary guacamole, though the specific offer can change.
- Chili’s: Join My Chili’s Rewards Club and get a free dessert on your birthday with a $5 minimum purchase.
- Dairy Queen: Members of DQ Rewards receive a “birthday offer.” Be sure to have made a purchase within 45 days before your birthday to qualify, then check your email for details about claiming the offer in the DQ app.
- Dunkin’: Provide your birth date when signing up for Dunkin’ Rewards and receive various birthday promotions.
- Earl of Sandwich: Sign up for the Earl of Sandwich eClub to get a “special birthday gift.”
- IHOP: Register for the International Bank of Pancakes (IHOP’s loyalty program) to receive a free full stack of pancakes on your birthday.
- Krispy Kreme:Krispy Kreme Rewards members receive a “sweet birthday gift,” typically free donuts. You can redeem it anytime during the 30 days after your birthday.
- McDonald’s: Install the MyMcDonald’s Rewards app, and you may receive an in-app push offer for complimentary birthday items. Generally you choose from a specific list of menu options.
- Moe’s Southwest Grill: Join Moe Rewards and choose a complimentary birthday cup of guac or queso.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes: Sign up for the Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub and receive a free Bundtlet on your birthday.
- Olive Garden: Receive a complimentary dessert on your birthday without signing up. If you want reminders and other discounts, join the eClub.
- Panda Express: Enroll in Panda Rewards and pick from a selection of birthday gift items.
- Panera: Join MyPanera Rewards to earn a birthday reward.
- Papa John’s: Become a member of Papa Rewards and get a complimentary dessert during your birthday month, provided you’ve made a purchase within the last year. Claim it through your online account and call your preferred location to confirm they’ll honor it.
- P.F. Chang’s: Add your birthday to your Chang’s Ca$h profile and receive a free appetizer or dessert during your birthday month.
- Raising Cane’s: Join the Caniac Club to get a “special offer” for your birthday. Request a membership card at a restaurant visit, then register the card online at this page.
- Red Lobster: Sign up for the My Red Lobster Rewards program to receive a birthday reward.
- Red Robin: Enroll in the Red Robin Royalty Program and receive a complimentary birthday burger. You’ll need to opt into promotional marketing, verify the phone number on your account, and have earned at least 10 Royalty points in the past year. Additionally, a purchase of $4.99 or more during your birthday month may be required to qualify.
- Sonic: Add your birthday when you register for the Sonic mobile-ordering app, and you’ll receive a push offer for a small shake (classic or master) or a side on your birthday (with purchase).
- Starbucks: Starbucks Rewards members get a free beverage or food item on their actual birthday, provided they made at least one star-earning purchase in the prior year. Sign up at Starbucks Rewards.
- Texas Roadhouse: Join the VIPclub to receive a free appetizer or a sidekick of ribs or shrimp on your birthday.
- The Cheesecake Factory: Sign up for Cheesecake Rewards to receive a complimentary slice of cheesecake with any purchase on your birthday.
- Waffle House: Join the Waffle House Regulars Club and get a free waffle on your birthday.
- Wingstop: Sign up for Wingstop’s email list, known as The Crew, to receive a free birthday gift.
How to Make the Most of Birthday Food Perks
Sign up for rewards programs and newsletters well in advance so you’re ready when your birthday arrives. Keep a list of which offers are valid only on the day versus those usable throughout the month, and combine rewards when possible. You could even plan a birthday crawl to visit several spots. Just be sure you meet each restaurant’s requirements before you go.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Redeeming Offers
Birthday offers, qualifications and redemption rules vary widely from one chain to another. One common mistake is not reading the fine print beforehand. If you don’t check requirements, you might sign up too late, forget to download an app, order something that isn’t covered by the offer, visit a nonparticipating location, or neglect to bring ID. If a restaurant’s site doesn’t clearly list a birthday perk, call ahead to confirm. Also, check your spam folder for reward emails you may have missed.
Other Free or Discounted Birthday Options
There are well over 100 ways to enjoy freebies and discounts for your birthday across restaurants, retailers and services. Beyond dining offers, you can find deals at beauty stores, coupons from department stores and many other birthday perks.
Conclusion: Celebrate Savvy and Save
Birthdays are a prime time to enjoy complimentary treats and special offers from restaurants and chains. Whether you want to indulge in a full meal or grab a free snack, your birthday is a great excuse to savor something extra without spending much. With some planning and a few sign-ups, this birthday could be the most delicious one yet.
Reporting from Avery Collins contributed to this article.
