On top of tuition, textbooks, and supplies, and housing, college students also face another astounding cost: food. Whether it’s your school’s unlimited meal plan, single-use swipes, or a weekly run for groceries for the apartment, the cost of food adds up quickly. It doesn’t matter if you’re living in the dorms and enjoying your school’s dining hall, or living off-campus and cooking for yourself, sometimes the queso craving hits and you have to venture out — but at what cost?
Some places offer free food on your birthday, but unfortunately, that’s only once a year. Luckily, these restaurants and chains that offer student discounts are year round, but only at participating locations. Be sure to call ahead to ensure that your local chain offers a student discount.
1. Arby’s
We have the beef (and an extra buck). Save 10% on your meal when you show your student ID at participating locations.
2. Buca di Beppo
Gather your friends and enjoy Italian family style — and 10% off at various locations.
3. Buffalo Wild Wings
Students can get a 10% discount at many locations, no matter how hot or mild your wings are.
4. Burger King
Get 10% off your Burger King purchase at participating locations.
5. Chick-fil-A
Students can score a free drink at most Chick-fil-A locations when they buy any meal. Just don’t try this on a Sunday.
6. Dairy Queen
Show a valid student ID for 10% off at participating DQ locations.
7. Domino’s
Save up to 20% on your late night pizza delivery.
8. Dunkin’
College kids run on Dunkin’. Students can get 10% off at participating locations with a valid ID.
9. Firehouse Subs
Students may get 10% off at their local sub shop.
10. IHOP
IHOP (fka IHOB) offers a 10% student discount…at the owner’s discretion.
11. Kroger
Most Krogers offer a 5% discount to students. Check first before you get yourself a discounted deli sandwich.
12. McDonald’s
Nothing hits quite like McDonald’s fries. Use your student ID to get 10% off your purchase at participating McD’s.
13. Papa John’s
Students can score a discount of 10% to 20% on a pizza or side item at Papa John’s.
14. Pizza Hut
Not a fan of Domino’s or Papa John’s? Students can also get a 10% discount at Pizza Hut.
15. Qdoba
Qdoba offers a free drink for students when they purchase a meal, plus burrito meals for $5 with a valid student ID. Consider this queso candle redemption.
16. Sweet Tomatoes
Depending on the location, students can get a 10% discount on the salad buffet.
17. Subway
Five-dollar footlongs just became $4.50. Students receive 10% off the total purchase with a valid student ID at participating Subway locations.
18. Taco Bell
Get a student discount of 10% at participating locations and live mas.
19. Waffle House
Students can enjoy the all-night diner at a 10% discount at participating Waffle Houses.
Bonus!
Home Chef: Students can claim 50% off their first four boxes with a Home Chef subscription (that’s 18 free meals!) when they use the Home Chef code via Student Beans. These quick-and-easy 15-minute meals offer options that can be made in a microwave in even the smallest dorm set-ups.