Hey, fellow frugal friends!
It’s no secret that I love finding ways to save money for my family, and I just can’t resist sharing my latest discovery with you all. Did you know there are a ton of restaurants and cafes that offer FREE food on your birthday? Yep, you read that right! So, not only do you get to feel extra special on your big day, but you can also save some serious cash while enjoying some delicious treats.
My birthday was last week, and I had a fantastic time hopping from one place to another, indulging in my favorite foods without spending a dime. I felt like a kid in a candy store, and my wallet thanked me for it. Here’s how I did it and how you can, too:
Step 1: Sign up for restaurant rewards programs
Many restaurants have loyalty programs that reward customers with freebies and discounts, especially on birthdays. So, go ahead and sign up for the rewards programs at your favorite spots. Just remember to use a separate email address for these subscriptions, so your primary inbox doesn’t get flooded with offers.
Step 2: Mark your calendar
When your birthday month rolls around, keep an eye on your inbox for those special offers. You’ll likely receive a mix of completely free treats and buy-one-get-one-free deals. Mark your calendar with the expiration dates to make sure you don’t miss out on any goodies.
Step 3: Plan your birthday food tour
With all your offers in hand, map out your birthday food tour. If you have kids, this can be a fun and affordable way to spend the day together. Just make sure you have enough room in your stomach for all those freebies!
Some of my favorite birthday freebies
Here are a few places that give free food on your birthday that I enjoyed visiting on my birthday, and I’m sure you’ll love them, too:
Starbucks: Get a free drink or food item on your birthday when you join their rewards program. I started my day with a fancy, no-extra-cost latte.
Denny’s: Who doesn’t love a free Grand Slam breakfast? Just show your ID, and it’s all yours.
Baskin-Robbins: Sign up for the Baskin Robbins Birthday Club rewards program and receive a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday. My kids and I had a blast sharing this frosty treat after school.
Red Robin: Their loyalty program offers a free burger on your birthday. I had a delicious, juicy burger for dinner without breaking the bank.
These are just a few examples, but there are so many more out there. So go ahead and celebrate your birthday in style without worrying about the cost. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the day while still staying on track with your budget goals.
- Applebee’s – Free dessert and birthday song for EClub members
- Arby’s – Free curly fry and small shake with Arby’s Extras
- Auntie Anne’s – Free classic pretzel with Pretzel Perks
- Baja Fresh – Free taco and birthday burrito with Club Baja
- Baskin Robbins – Free scoop for Birthday Club members
- Ben & Jerry’s – Free scoop for Flavor Fanatics
- Benihana – $30 gift certificate with online sign up
- BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse – Free Pizzookie with Premier Rewards Plus
- Black Angus Steakhouse – Free Cowboy Cookie with entree purchase
- Black Bear Diner – Free Bearthday Breakfast
- Bojangles – Free Bo-Berry Biscuit with E-Club and purchase
- Boston Market – Free birthday reward with Rotisserie Rewards
- Breugger’s Bagels – Free bagel and cream cheese with email club
- Bruster’s Real Ice Cream – BOGO waffle cone discount and $3 off with e-club
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. – Free birthday cupcake with candle and song
- Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant – Free dessert or $10 gift card with eClub
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Free snack-size wings with Blazin’ Rewards
- California Pizza Kitchen – Free dessert with CPK rewards program
- Capital Grille – Complimentary dessert on your birthday
- Carl’s Jr. – Free burger or sandwich with Carl’s Jr. app
- Caribou Coffee – Free drink with Caribou Perks
- Carrabba’s – Free appetizer or dessert with Amici Club
- Carvel – Free small cone for Fudgie Fanatics
- Checkers – Free small milkshake for rewards members
- Cheesecake Factory – Free dessert on your birthday
- Chick-Fil-A – Birthday reward with Chick-Fil-A One membership
- Chili’s – Free dessert with MyChili’s Reward membership
- Chipotle – Free chips and guacamole with the Chipotle app
- Cici’s – Free adult pizza buffet with their rewards program
- Cinnabon – Free treat with Club Cinnabon
- Coco’s Bakery – Free slice of pie on your birthday
- Cold Stone Creamery– Free ice cream creation with Cold Stone Club
- Corner Bakery – Free birthday pastry with Corner eCafe
- Crumbl Cookies – Free birthday cookie with Crumbl app
- Culver’s – Free sundae with club membership
- Dairy Queen – Free Blizzard treat with DQ mobile app
- Daphne’s California Greek – $5 off with Pita Points Rewards Club
- Del Taco – Free premium milkshake with Del Yeah! Rewards club
- Denny’s – Free birthday reward with Denny’s app
- Dickey’s BBQ Pit – Free barbecue classic sandwich with Yellow Cup Rewards
- Dippin’ Dots – Free Dippin’ Dots with Dot Crazy! Email Club
- Edible Arrangements – Get a 12-count chocolate-dipped fruit box for your birthday when you sign up for Edible Rewards.
- Einstein Bros Bagel – Get a free egg sandwich on your birthday when you join their rewards program.
- El Pollo Loco – Sign up for their rewards program and get a free food gift on your birthday.
- El Torito – Sign up for ET’s E-Club for a free birthday entree, up to $15.
- Farmer Boys – Join the VIF club for a “birthday surprise” and a $5 reward for signing up.
- Firehouse Subs – Join Firehouse Rewards for a free medium sub on your birthday.
- Friendly’s – Join the BFF club for a free medium sundae during your birthday month.
- Fuddruckers – Join the Fudds e-Club for a BOGO 1/3 pound birthday burger.
- Genghis Grill – Rewards members get BOGO bowls on their birthday.
- Godfather’s Pizza – Loyalty Club members get a free medium one-topping pizza on their birthday when they purchase breadsticks.
- GODIVA – Sign up for the rewards program and get a free birthday offer that varies each month.
- Grimaldi’s Pizzeria – Free 16″ one-topping pizza for rewards members with one purchase per year.
- Hard Rock Café – Get a free BOGO entrée on your birthday as a loyalty member.
- Hooters – Get 10 free wings on your birthday when you sign up for the eClub.
- Hot Dog on a Stick – Rewards members get free Funnel Cake Sticks on their birthday.
- IHOP – Sign up for their rewards program for a free stack of pancakes on your birthday, anniversary, and when you sign up.
- Islands – Join Island’s Tiki Link for a free dessert on your birthday.
- Jack’s – Sign up for their app to get a free milkshake on your birthday.
- Jamba Juice – Jamba Insider Rewards members get a free smoothie or juice on their birthday.
- Jersey Mike’s – Sign up for a free sub on your birthday.
- Jimmy John’s – Join Freaky Fast Rewards for a possible surprise reward on your birthday.
- Joe’s Crab Shack – Sign up for “Joe’s Catch” newsletter for a free appetizer on your birthday.
- Johnny Rockets – Rocket eClub members get a free burger with purchase during their birthday week.
- Junior’s Cheesecake – Join the Birthday Club for a free slice of cheesecake with the purchase of a lunch or dinner entrée.
- Krispy Kreme – Rewards members get a free dozen original glazed donuts on their birthday.
- Longhorn Steakhouse – Get a free appetizer when you sign up and a free dessert on your birthday.
- Macaroni Grill – Get a free dessert with entree purchase on your birthday.
- Marie Callender’s – Save $5 off two entrees and get a free slice of pie on your birthday.
- McDonald’s – Download the app for a BOGO offer on select items on your birthday.
- Melting Pot – Sign up for their online club for free chocolate-covered strawberries on your birthday.
Mimi’s Cafe – E-Club members get a free Mixed Berry Muffin Sundae on their birthday. - Moe’s Southwestern Grill – Download the app and join the loyalty program for a free burrito and queso.
- Noodles & Company – Join Noodles Rewards for free birthday food.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes – Join the email list for a free Bundtlet on your birthday.
- O’Charley’s – Join the O’Club for a free birthday treat.
- Olive Garden – Get a free dessert and song on your birthday.
- Outback Steakhouse – Sign up for Outback Rewards for a Bloomin’ Onion and possibly a free dessert on your birthday.
- Papa John’s – Papa Rewards members get a special dessert on their birthday.
- Panera Bread – Join the rewards program for a free pastry on your birthday.
- Peet’s Coffee – Sign up for Peetnik rewards for 25 free points on your birthday.
- Pei Wei – Rewards Members enjoy a free small plate on their birthday.
- P.F. Chang’s – Get a free dessert during your birthday month as a rewards member.
- Pick Up Stix – Rewards members receive a “special gift” on their birthday.
- Pieology – Join the PieLife for a free BOGO pizza or entree salad.
- Pinkberry – Loyalists get a free yogurt on their birthday and after every 10 purchases.
- Pita Pit – Rewards members get a free pita on their birthday.
- Pizza Hut – Create an online account for a coupon for free cinnamon sticks or breadsticks on your birthday.
- Planet Smoothie – Birthday Club members get a free smoothie valued up to $6.
- Popeye’s – Rewards members receive a free apple pie dessert on their birthday.
- Potbelly – Get a free cookie on your birthday with Potbelly Perks.
- Qdoba – Qdoba Rewards members enjoy a BOGO birthday burrito.
- Quiznos – Loyalty members get a BOGO birthday sub sandwich.
- Raising Canes – Caniac Club members get a free drink on their birthday and other special occasions.
- Red Lobster – Fresh Catch Club members receive a random birthday freebie.
- Rita’s Italian Ice – E-Club members get a free scoop of Italian ice on their birthday.
- Red Robin – Red Robin Royalty members enjoy a free burger during their birthday month.
- Rubio’s Coastal Grille – Rewards program members get a surprise birthday deal and $5 off their first order.
- Ruby Tuesday – SoConnected members get free dessert or a trip to the Garden Bar on their birthday.
Sbarro – Slice Society members get a free slice with a drink purchase on their birthdays. - Seasons 52 – Inform your waiter it’s your birthday and get any dessert for free.
- Smashburger – SmashClub members receive a free side and/or classic smash burger on their birthday.
- Sonic Drive-In – My Sonic rewards offer a free birthday treat.
- Sprinkles – Enjoy a free cupcake from Sprinkles on your birthday.
- Starbucks – Sign up for Starbucks Rewards at least seven days before your birthday for a free drink.
- Subway – Get a free cookie on your birthday with Subway’s MyWay Rewards.
- Sweetgreen – Receive a $10 credit on your birthday by adding your birthday to your profile on the Sweetgreen website or app at least 14 days prior.
- Texas Roadhouse – Sign up for their VIP membership to get a free appetizer on your birthday.
- Tim Horton’s – Get a free coffee or breakfast sandwich on your birthday with Tims Rewards.
- The Habit Burger Grill – CharClub members get a free Charburger with cheese on their birthday.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe – Enjoy a surprise on your Tropical Smoothie rewards app on your birthday.
- Vitality Bowls – Loyalty program members receive a free birthday acai bowl.
- Waffle House – Waffle House Regulars Club members get a free birthday waffle.
- Wahlburgers – Get a free shake on your birthday with the Wahlclub.
- Wayback Burgers – Download the Wayback app and start gaining points for a free birthday reward.
- Wetzel’s Pretzels – Use the app to get a free pretzel on your birthday.
- Whataburger – Get a free burger on your birthday by joining the loyalty program.
- Which Wich – Join Vibe Club Rewards for a free seven-inch sandwich on your birthday.
- Wienerschnitzel – Unclear what you’ll get, but Wiener Lovers’ Club promises free food on your birthday.
- Wingstop – Get free fries on your birthday and when you sign up for the Wingstop Club.
- Yard House – House Insider members receive a free mini birthday dessert.
- Yogurtland – Join Yogurtland’s Real Rewards program for a free birthday reward, equal to $5 off your purchase.
To find specific places in your area, you can search for “birthday freebies” or “birthday discounts” along with your city or state. Additionally, some local restaurants or businesses may offer birthday specials, so it’s worth checking with places you frequent to see if they have any promotions too.
Remember, saving money doesn’t mean sacrificing fun or special moments. With a little bit of planning and a keen eye for deals, you can make the most of your family’s finances while still enjoying life’s little pleasures. Happy birthday to you, and happy saving!
