Is it your birthday this month? If so, an awkward celebration with co-workers and store-bought cake needn’t be the highlight. In fact, you can eat and drink your way through your birthday for free when you sign up for loyalty program perks from popular restaurants.
Since some memberships and birthday certificates can take several days or up to a month to process, give yourself plenty of time to register and receive your reward. Many restaurants require app downloads for access to program benefits, including birthday rewards. The best (and rarest) offers allow you to redeem your reward anytime during your birthday month. Unless otherwise stated, the following offers are redeemable on the actual date of your birthday.
In addition to offers from national chains, many local eateries extend freebies to birthday celebrants. From bars to bakeries, you can likely score a tasty victual or entire entree when you let servers know that you’re celebrating (and show your ID).
Word to the wise: Sign up for these programs using a separate email account, and consider unsubscribing once you receive the freebie. Otherwise, you risk being flooded with promotional emails that compel you to spend. You can always re-register for emails before your next birthday comes around.
[See: 12 Habits of Phenomenally Frugal Families.]
Coffee and breakfast. Start your birthday off with a complimentary cup of coffee, tea or a smoothie, or opt for an entire breakfast spread from a popular restaurant chain. In some cases, retailers require you to present a coupon, either in print or on your mobile device, to redeem the freebie.
— Biggby Coffee: Free drink.
— Booster Juice: Free regular smoothie with birthday voucher.
— Bruegger’s Bagels: Free bagel with cream cheese.
— Caribou Coffee: Free medium drink.
— Dunkin’ Donuts: Free medium drink.
— IHOP: Free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘n Fruity.
— Jamba Juice: Free small smoothie.
— Krispy Kreme: Free gift, rumored to be a doughnut and small coffee or fountain drink.
— La Madeleine: Free pastry on your birthday.
— Mimi’s Cafe: Free slice of crepe cake or two-pack of muffins or croissants.
— Planet Smoothie: Free small smoothie.
— Starbucks: Free handcrafted beverage, food item or ready-to-drink bottled beverage.
— Teavana: Free tea beverage or ounce of loose-leaf tea.
[See: How to Live on $13,000 a Year.]
Sandwiches, burgers and tacos. After your complimentary breakfast, make plans to meet friends and family at your favorite lunch spot for a no-cost entree. Tacos, salads, sandwiches, burgers and more are yours for the picking on your birthday.
— Au Bon Pain: Free lunch.
— Auntie Anne’s: Download the My Pretzel Perks mobile app for access to a free pretzel on your birthday.
— BD’s Mongolian Grill: Free meal.
— Benihana: Receive a $30 birthday certificate during the month of your birthday.
— Big Daddy’s: Free meal.
— Black Angus Steakhouse: Free steak dinner.
— Bonanza Steakhouse: Free steak or buffet for adults.
— Bristol Seafood Grill: Free entree (up to $25).
— Champps: Free birthday reward.
— Country Kitchen: Free entree.
— El Pollo Loco: Free Loco Value Menu item.
— Firehouse Subs: Free medium sub on your birthday — or up to six days after — when you download the Firehouse Subs app.
— Genghis Grill: Customers who visit the restaurant four or more times during the last 12 months receive a free birthday bowl. Customers who visit fewer than four times receive a free appetizer or dessert. Customers have 14 days to redeem their birthday reward.
— Godfather’s Pizza: Free medium one-topping pizza.
— Hooters: Free food on your birthday, rumored to be 10 boneless wings, when you download the Hooters app and join HootClub.
— Houlihan’s: Free entree (up to $15).
— HuHot Mongolian Grill: Free grill meal.
— Jersey Mike’s Subs: Free regular sub and 22-ounce fountain drink.
— Mazzio’s: Free small pizza, specialty or up to three toppings. Dine-in or carry-out only.
— Moe’s Southwest Grill: Free birthday burrito when you download the Rockin’ Rewards app.
— Noodles & Company: Free birthday treat for Noodlegram members enrolled for at least 60 days, redeemable within 14 days of your birthday.
— Pie Five Pizza: Free pie on your half-birthday.
— Rainforest Cafe: $25 birthday reward when you join Landry’s Select Club.
— Red Robin: Free gourmet burger once during your birthday month.
— Ruby Tuesday: Free burger or garden bar entree (up to $11 in menu value).
— Spaghetti Warehouse: Free spaghetti entree and sundae.
— Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse: Make a reservation for your birthday and receive a complimentary bottle of Taittinger Cuvee Prestige Brut Champagne.
[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]
Side dishes and sweets. If you prefer small bites or beeline it for the sweets during your birthday, many restaurants offer a birthday freebie to satisfy your cravings.
— A&W: Free root beer float when you join the Mug Club.
— Del Taco: Free regular premium shake (chocolate, vanilla or strawberry).
— Dippin’ Dots: Free Dippin’ Dots on your birthday.
— Friendly’s: Free sundae.
— Gigi’s Cupcakes: Free cupcake.
— Marble Slab Creamery / MaggieMoo’s: A $5 coupon when you download the Slab Happy Rewards app.
— Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: A $5 coupon to use 15 days before or after your birthday.
— Ruby’s Diner: Free Ruby’s kid shake for children with Kids Club sign-up.
— Smokey Bones: Free dessert.
— Wingstop: Free gift.
— Yogurtland: Free 3-ounce, 5-ounce or 16-ounce birthday treat, depending on the number of points you have through the Real Rewards program.
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Treat Yourself With These Restaurant Freebies on Your Birthday originally appeared on usnews.com
