We all know that restaurants will give us free stuff on our birthday – but who gives the BEST free stuff? We list 101+ places that will give you something good to eat on your birthday.
We’ve all been there. We’re sitting at a restaurant and suddenly all the servers start clapping and singing one version or another of Happy Birthday as they walk to a single table to deliver a treat. It’s the ole birthday shuffle!
Most restaurants, if you tell them it’s your birthday, will give you a little something just for dining with them.
Some restaurants will do a lot more. Some will give you an entire entree, a full dessert, or more — but you have to do a little extra work. Loyalty programs have been popping up all over the places as restaurants learn that loyalty cards work. Email works too. You are the beneficiary.
Your birthday comes once a year, so take advantage of it! Look at the list of 101+ restaurants below and sign up for the email newsletter or eclub of your favorites. Then, on your birthday, look for a congratulatory email for making it another year and what your present will be.
The key is signing up early. Some places, like Noodles and Company, will only send you the coupon for a free Birthday crispy (rice crispy treat) if you’ve been in the club for 60 days. Others take a little extra time to get to you (their systems take a while to process it seems, like 24-48 hours) so you can’t sign up the day of and expect a birthday treat in some cases.
Table of Contents
- Free Food on Your Birthday
- A&W
- Applebees
- Arby’s
- Au Bon Pain
- Auntie Anne’s
- Baja Fresh
- Baskin Robbins
- Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Benihana
- Bertucci’s
- BGR The Burger Joint
- Black Angus Steakhouse
- Blimpie
- Bob Evans
- Bojangles
- Bonefish Grill
- Boston Market
- Bruegger’s Bagels
- Buca di Beppo
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Caribou Coffee
- Carraba’s Italian Grill
- Carvel
- Checkers
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Chili’s
- Cinnabon
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Corner Baker Cafe
- Cracker Barrel
- Dairy Queen
- Del Taco
- Denny’s
- Dippin’ Dots
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Eat’n Park
- Einstein Bros. Bagels
- Famous Dave’s
- Firehouse Subs
- Friendly’s
- Fuddruckers
- Gordon Biersch
- Great American Cookies
- Houlihan’s
- IHOP
- Jamba Juice
- Jason’s Deli
- Jersey Mike’s
- Joe’s Crab Shack
- Johnny Rockets
- Krispy Kreme
- Lone Star Steakhouse
- Longhorn Steakhouse
- la Madeleine
- Maggiano’s
- Maggie Moo’s
- Marie Callender’s
- Melting Pot
- Mimi’s
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Noodles & Company
- Not Your Average Joe’s
- Olive Garden
- Orange Julius
- Outback
- Panera Bread
- Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
- P.F. Chang’s
- Pinkberry
- Planet Smoothie
- Ponderosa Steakhouse
- Pretzelmaker
- Qdoba
- Quiznos
- Rita’s Italian Ice
- Red Lobster
- Red Robin
- Romano’s Macaroni Grill
- Ruby Tuesday
- Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion
- Rubo’s
- Sbarro
- Schlotzky’s
- Seasons 52
- Sizzler
- Smashburger
- Smokeybones
- Sonic
- Sprinkles
- Starbucks
- Steak ‘n Shake
- Subway
- TCBY
- Texas Roadhouse
- TGI Fridays
- Tony Roma’s
- Village Inn
- Waffle House
- Wendy’s
- Yogurtland
- Zoës Kitchen
- Aveda
- CVS
- DSW
- Famous Footwear
- Redbox
- Sephora
- Smashbox
- ULTA
- World Market
- Zaxby’s
Free Food on Your Birthday
Here’s our full list of goodies, with more being added as we learn of them:
A&W
Free A&W Root Beer Float (Join Mug Club)
Applebees
Free dessert (Join email)
Arby’s
Free milkshake (Join email)
Au Bon Pain
Get a free salad/sandwich (Join eClub)
Auntie Anne’s
Free pretzel (Download their Pretzel Perks app)
Baja Fresh
Free burrito (Join Club Baja)
Baskin Robbins
Free ice cream! (Join email)
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Free appetizer with entree purchase (Join Team ‘O’ Brady’s)
Ben & Jerry’s
Free ice cream (Join Chunkmail)
Benihana
$30 gift certificate (Join The Chef’s Table)
Bertucci’s
Free dessert (Join by filling in the email at the top right)
BGR The Burger Joint
Free burger (join VIP)
Black Angus Steakhouse
Free steak dinner with the purchase of any dinner entree on your first birthday after you join the Prime Club Email program
Blimpie
Free 6″ sub (join BlimpiEClub)
Bob Evans
Free kids’ meal for your kids (Join Kids’ Times Birthday club)
Bojangles
Free Bo-Berry biscuit with purchase (join e-club)
Bonefish Grill
Free dessert when you join BFG Insider
Boston Market
Free dessert with meal purchase (Join VIP Club)
Bruegger’s Bagels
Free bagel with any cream cheese (Join email)
Buca di Beppo
$20 gift (Join Buca E-Club)
Buffalo Wild Wings
Free snack-size wings (Join Buffalo Circle)
California Pizza Kitchen
Free kid’s meal, join CPKids Birthday Club
Caribou Coffee
Free drink (Join email)
Carraba’s Italian Grill
Free dessert with entree (Join Amici Club)
Carvel
Free cup/cone (Join Fudgie Fanatic)
Checkers
Free large fry on signup (Join The Flavorhood)
The Cheesecake Factory
Small cup of ice cream, just tell your server
Chili’s
Free dessert (Join Chili’s Rewards)
Cinnabon
Free gift (Join Club Cinnabon) – Click the Sign up button at the top right
Cold Stone Creamery
Buy 1 Get 1 Free (Join My Cold Stone Club)
Corner Baker Cafe
Free baked goodie (Join email)
Cracker Barrel
Free dessert, just tell your server!
Dairy Queen
Buy 1 Blizzard, get one free (Join Blizzard Fan Club)
Del Taco
Free shake (Join fan club)
Denny’s
Free Grand Slam breakfast, just show your server and show ID
Dippin’ Dots
Free Dippin’ Dots (Join Dot Crazy)
Dunkin’ Donuts
Free drink (Join DDPerks, but you need to fund it with at least $2 to start)
Eat’n Park
Free birthday coupons (join email)
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Free egg sandwich with purchase (Join SChmear Society)
Famous Dave’s
Free food (Join P.I.G. Club)
Firehouse Subs
Free medium sub (Join Firehouse Rewards)
Friendly’s
Free sundae (Join BFF Club)
Fuddruckers
Free burger with purchase (Join Fudds Club)
Gordon Biersch
Free entree with purchase (Join email)
Great American Cookies
free cookie on signup (join CookiE-mail)
Houlihan’s
Free entree (join email)
IHOP
Free meal (Join MyHop)
Jamba Juice
Free juice/smoothie (Join Jamba Insider Rewards)
Jason’s Deli
$5 coupon (Join email)
Jersey Mike’s
Free sub & drink coupon (Join email club)
Joe’s Crab Shack
Free app (Join Joe’s Catch E-club)
Johnny Rockets
Free burger (Join Rocket eClub)
Krispy Kreme
free doughnut (Join Krispy Kreme Rewards)
Lone Star Steakhouse
Free appetizer on signup (Join email)
Longhorn Steakhouse
dessert on signup (join Longhorn)
la Madeleine
free pastry (join eClub)
Maggiano’s
$10 off (join E-Club)
Maggie Moo’s
Free ice cream (Join Slab Happy Rewards)
Marie Callender’s
Free slice of pie and $5 off an entree (Join e-Club)
Melting Pot
box of 6 chocolate covered strawberries with $60 purchase (join Club Fondue)
Mimi’s
Free slice of Crepe cake or free 2-pk muffins/croissants (join e-club)
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Free burrito (Join Moe’s Rewards), plus free queso when you sign up!
Noodles & Company
Free crispy treat (Join Noodles Rewards)
Not Your Average Joe’s
Free entree & dessert (Join email)
Olive Garden
Free appetizer with 2 entrees (Join eClub)
Orange Julius
Free drink (Join Julius League)
Outback
Free dessert with entree purchase (Join email offers)
Panera Bread
Free gift (Join MyPanera, link in the top right)
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Free dessert, just tell the server (doesn’t hurt to join eClub)
P.F. Chang’s
Free dessert (Join club)
Pinkberry
Free yogurt (Join loyalty program)
Planet Smoothie
Free smoothie (Join eClub)
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Free steak dinner (Join eClub)
Pretzelmaker
Free order of Birthday Bites (join email)
Qdoba
Free treat (Join Qdoba Rewards)
Quiznos
Birthday burrito (Join QClub)
Rita’s Italian Ice
Free birthday treat! (join Birthday Club)
Red Lobster
Free gift (Join Fresh Catch Club)
Red Robin
Free burger (Join RedRobin Royalty)
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Free dessert (Join email)
Ruby Tuesday
Free burger (Join So Connected)
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion
Free dessert and photo, just tell your server
Rubo’s
Free taco (Join Beach Club)
Sbarro
Free XL NY Slice (join Slice Society)
Schlotzky’s
Free sandwich (Join Bun and Fun eClub)
Seasons 52
Free dessert (Join their rewards program)
Sizzler
Free Malibu chicken or other birthday treat (Join eclub)
Smashburger
Free flavored shake (Join smashclub rewards)
Smokeybones
Free dessert (join The Bones Club)
Sonic
Free Creamslush, Tater Tots, or Drink (Join My Sonic)
Sprinkles
Free cupcake! (join Perks)
Starbucks
Free drink (Join My Starbucks Rewards)
Steak ‘n Shake
Free double steakburger (Join eClub)
Subway
Free 6″ sub & drink (join email)
TCBY
Free yogurt (Join eClub)
Texas Roadhouse
Free app (Join email)
TGI Fridays
Free dessert with entree purchase (Join Fridays Rewards)
Tony Roma’s
Free entree (Join email)
Village Inn
Free slice of Pie (Join eCLUB)
Waffle House
Free waffle (Join Regulars Club)
Wendy’s
$1 off a combo (Join WendyMail)
Yogurtland
Free 3 oz. treat (Join Real Rewards)
Zoës Kitchen
Free birthday entree (Join email)
There’s more to food when it comes to your birthday, here are a few other places that will give you free stuff on your birthday:
Aveda
Free gift (Join email)
CVS
$3 in CVS ExtraBucks (Join ExtraCare Beauty Club)
DSW
$5 gift certificate (Join DSW Rewards)
Famous Footwear
Free gift (Join rewards program)
Redbox
Free 1-night rental (Join Redbox Play Pass)
Sephora
Free gift (Join Beauty Insider) – here are a few other ways to get cheap beauty products!
Smashbox
Free gift with $35 purchase (Join Pretty Points)
ULTA
Free gift (Join email)
World Market
$10 or 10% off coupon (join Explorer Rewards)
Zaxby’s
Free Big Zax Snak (join Zax Club)
If you know someone who is celebrating a birthday soon, be sure to share this with them so they don’t miss out!
If you like free food, you might want to review our post on hotels that offer free breakfast.
Norman says
Wow, what a long list! Did you have a recent birthday that inspired this post?
No, but I realized that every day on Facebook I’d have like 5 friends with birthdays so I figured I’d put something together. 🙂
J. Money says
So smart!
And now you don’t ever have to buy them anything – just pass them this list 🙂
I would love it if you were to do that to all your friends. 🙂
David @FinanceSuperhero says
When my doctor asks why I gained so much weight shortly after my birthday, I’m blaming Jim. 🙂
You misspelled “celebrating” 🙂
Andrew says
This is the best free food resource I have seen. It’s the perfect pre-gift egift, to anyone having a birthday in the next while. Can’t wait to share it. Thanks for putting this together JIm.
Thanks Andrew!
Victor says
You missed Pappadeaux — Free Dessert (Tell server)
We don’t have a Pappadeaux near us so I missed it… but the dishes on the website look FANTASTIC. I want to go there now. 🙂
Victor says
Strongly recommend to anyone who likes Cajun food. I’ve been told by some co-workers from Louisiana that it’s not authentic but all I know is I like it. Their Lunch specials are well priced and you will leave full.
Taddy says
Missing HoneyBaked Ham. Free sandwich on your birthday & on the anniversary of signing up.
Do you just show up and show an ID? I went to the website and it appears they just do catering? We don’t have one near me to confirm this.
Taddy says
They email you a coupon and if I recall correctly, you get about a week to use it.
I’ve only had it once in the past 4 years where they looked at my ID… so ymmv?
As far as I know, any store of their’s that does catering also has sandwiches/side dishes/condiments to purchase on site. Been to one in NC and one in PA.
Very good sandwiches (bit overpriced in my opinion), but as someone that can’t stand mayo, I practically eat their ham classic as is and it comes with mayo.
Made myself hungry, lol!
Hmmm… I can’t figure out how to sign up for their email newsletter or anything? Any ideas?
Taddy says
Ah, just saw that the emails come from whichever store you select as your store.
Eek, out of luck I suppose.
Matt @ Distilled Dollar says
Thanks for putting this list together!
I have a few birthdays coming up and this list will definitely help us celebrate in a slightly more frugal fashion!
You have a few birthdays coming up? 🙂 j/k, I knew what you meant. You’re welcome!
Yetisaurus says
Oh, awesome. My boyfriend will love this. We had to celebrate his birthday SIX times a couple years ago because he kept signing up for these things. Now it literally won’t even be possible to get to all 101 things within the birthday “month.” 😀
Hahahaha SIX times!? That’s awesome!
CentSai.com says
Wow, this is a really fun post! Who doesn’t want free food, especially on your birthday?? Definitely a money saving hack as well as a good time! Thanks for the info!
Thanks!
ZJ Thorne says
Nice list! Thanks for aggregating this data for us. Thankfully, I have time to prepare before my next birthday.
Take advantage of it! 🙂
Steve says
Thank you so much, Jim! Couple notes:
Looks like the Applebee’s link has changed to http://www.applebees.com/Sign-Up
Checkers says free fry with sign-up (not bad, but not a shake 🙂
Dunkin’ Donuts requires a DD Perks account, which you can set up online, but you have to fund it with at least $2 to start. You can also pick up a plastic card in-store, not sure if you have to fund that one.
Thanks again for putting all this together!
Thanks for the updates Steve! I updated the post with the new information.
Peggy McClellan says
Village Inn free slice of pie
Thanks!
David Bodendoerfer says
The owner of The Train Shop in Santa Clara, CA. gave me 20 dollars off my purchase because it is my birthday today.
Rusha says
Mazzio’s- get a free small pizza
Gigi’s cupcakes- free cupcake
Darryl S Rich says
I just had a birthday this past September and many offers you listed need correction, as follows:
• Au Bon Pain – Get a free medium coffee and pastry/cookie
• Baja Fresh – Get $10 towards any item
• Benihana – Get $30 gift certificate (dine in only and purchase of $30 required)
• Famous Dave’s – free dessert
• Jersey Mike’s – no longer gives free food, only extra points.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill – free burrito, but no free queso
• Not Your Average Joe’s – free $15 toward meal
• Qdoba – free cookie
• Subway – no free food
• Texas Roadhouse – free appetizer or sidekick of ribs
Thank you Darryl – we will work on updating this list!. Many restaurants changed their birthday promotions, in part because of Covid, so my hope was that they may restore them in the future. That might not be the case!