I love birthdays, and it’s not just because of the presents and parties. It’s mostly because I get to eat cake (on my birthday and for the next week) and I get free food. In the past, my parents would take me out to dinner, but now that I’m in college my parents aren’t usually there to celebrate it with me. Luckily, there are a bunch of chain restaurants all across the United States where I can get a ton of free food and drinks for my special day no matter where I am. To make it even better, some of these restaurants offer specials throughout the whole month and not just on the day of your birthday. For most of these, all you have to do to redeem them is sign up for the rewards program. If you want to make your special day/month even more special, check out these 123 chain restaurants that offer free food on your birthday.
1. Applebee’s
Dessert’s on the house for members of the chain’s Club Applebee’s. My roommate is a server at Applebee’s, and word on the street is you’ll also get a pretty cool birthday song, also on the house.
2. Arby’s
Sign up for Arby’s Extras and receive a coupon for a free curly fry and small shake on your birthday.
3. Auntie Anne’s
Signing up for Pretzel Perks gets you a free classic pretzel just for you and your day if you spend $10 annually at the chain.
4. Baja Fresh
Join Club Baja and get a free taco for signing up and a free burrito on your birthday with another purchase.
5. Baskin Robbins
Sign up for Baskin Robbins Birthday Club and get a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday.
6. Ben & Jerry’s
Sign up to be a Flavor Fanatic at Ben & Jerry’s and you’ll get a free scoop on your b-day.
7. Benihana
Sign up online for Benihana’s The Chef’s Table and get a $30 gift certificate during the month of your birthday.
8. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
A free Pizzookie is coming your way on your birthday if you sign up for Premier Rewards Plus.
9. Black Angus Steakhouse
Get a free Cowboy Cookie with the purchase of an entree on your birthday.
10. Black Bear Diner
Kick off the celebrations with a free “Bearthday Breakfast” when you sign up for the Bear Lovers E-Club.
11. Bojangles
Sign up for the E-Club and you’ll get a free Bo-Berry Biscuit on your day with a purchase.
12. Breugger’s Bagels
Your day of birth will grant you one free bagel and your choice of cream cheese with purchase when you sign up for its email club.
13. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
If you haven’t had Bruster’s, allow me to change your life – with a BOGO waffle cone discount on your birthday when you sign up for the e-club. You’ll also earn $3 off as soon as you sign up for the club, too!
14. Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
Bucca lets you choose between a free colossal brownie sundae or a double dark chocolate cake on your birthday. Plus, if you’re a first-time subscriber to Buca’s eClub, you’ll receive a $10 gift card.
15. Buffalo Wild Wings
Sign up for Blazin’ Rewards and get free food on your birthday in the form of snack-size wings (boneless or traditional) to celebrate your big day.
16. California Pizza Kitchen
Sign up for the CPK rewards program and you will get a free dessert on your birthday, which is extra exciting because their chocolate brownie is insanely good (ask to get it warmed up).
17. Capital Grille
Another b-day gift that doesn’t require your email address! Just show up at the Capital Grille on your birthday for a complimentary dessert to end your meal.
18. Carl’s Jr.
Celebrate your birthday with a free sandwich with a $1+ purchase when you sign up for the Carl’s Jr. app.
19. Caribou Coffee
Caribou Perks members can get a free drink, any size, as long as you’ve made a purchase in the previous six months.
20. Carrabba’s
Score a free appetizer or dessert any time during the month of your birthday when you join the Amici (friend) Club.
21. Carvel
Enjoy a free small cone if you’re a Fudgie Fanatic.
22. Checkers
Checkers will gift you one free small milkshake on your birthday if you’re a rewards member.
23. Cheesecake Factory
Tell your server it’s your birthday while enjoying the seemingly endless menu, and you’ll get a free treat for dessert.
24. Chick-Fil-A
Become a member of Chick-Fil-A One and receive a birthday reward from Chick-Fil-A, valid for 30 days.
25. Chili’s
Channel your favorite (fictional) regional manager of a small-town paper company and become a MyChili’s Reward member to get a free dessert on your birthday.
26. Chipotle
Sign up on the Chipotle app to receive free chips and guacamole with a $5 purchase.
27. Cici’s
In case this list doesn’t give you enough all-you-can-eat freebies, you can take advantage of a free adult pizza buffet at Cici’s when you sign up for rewards and achieve more free food on your birthday.
28. Cinnabon
Club Cinnabon gives you a free 16-ounce cold brew on your birthday.
29. Coco’s Bakery
Forget the cake, Coco’s will celebrate your birthday with a free slice of pie. Candles may or may not be included.
30. Cold Stone
I love Cold Stone, so I definitely think signing up for the Cold Stone Club to get a free ice cream creation on my birthday is worth it.
31. Corner Bakery
Join the Corner eCafe to score rewards and a free birthday pastry.
32. Crumbl Cookies
Swap out a birthday cake for a free birthday cookie when you download the Crumbl app at least 48 hours before the big day.
33. Culver’s
This beloved Midwestern burger joint will give you one free single scoop on your birthday if, and only if, you join its “club.”
34. Dairy Queen
Fans of the dessert served upside down, rejoice. Drop your birthday into the DQ mobile app to get a free Blizzard treat.
35. Daphne’s California Greek
On your birthday, Daphne’s will gift you $10 off your next visit, automatically loaded onto your Pita Points Rewards Club card on your birthday.
36. Del Taco
Snag a free premium milkshake on your birthday with any purchase if you join its Del Yeah! Rewards club.
37. Denny’s
Add the Denny’s app to your home screen and you’ll be on your way to a free birthday reward.
38. Dickey’s BBQ Pit
Join Yellow Cup Rewards and celebrate your special day with free food on your birthday with their barbecue classic sandwich.
39. Dippin’ Dots
The “ice cream of the future” is weirdly nostalgic, just like birthdays. Relive your childhood and join Dot Crazy! Email Club to celebrate with free Dippin’ Dots on your birthday.
40. Einstein Bros Bagel
Get a free egg sandwich on your birthday when you sign up for the Einstein Bro’s rewards program.
41. El Pollo Loco
When you sign up for the chain’s rewards program, you’ll get a $5 reward on your birthday. Hmm…that is loco.
42. El Torito
Sign up for ET’s E-Club for a free birthday entree, up to $15.
43. Farmer Boys
The burger hub’s VIF club — that’s Very Important Farmer, though you don’t have to be a farmer to be a VIF — will give you a delightfully vague “birthday surprise.” Plus, if you’re signing up for the first time, you’ll get a $5 reward on top of the birthday surprise.
44. Firehouse Subs
Join Firehouse Rewards to get set up with a free medium sub on your big, big day.
45. Friendly’s
Among the many rewards for joining the BFF club, the ever-friendly Friendly’s will set you up with a free medium sundae during your birthday month.
46. Fuddruckers
Join the Fudds e-Club for a BOGO 1/3 pound birthday burger.
47. Genghis Grill
Rewards members can get a free bowl of your choice at Genghis Grill.
48. GODIVA
Sign up for the GODIVA rewards program and get a free birthday offer that varies month to month.
49. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Free 16-inch one-topping pizza (valued up to $17) for rewards members, so long as you make one purchase per year.
50. Hard Rock Café
Rock out with a free brownie on your birthday as a loyalty member.
51. Hooters
Get 10 free wings on your birthday with the purchase of a drink when you sign up for the Hooters eClub
52. IHOP
Sign up for IHOP’s reward program and get a free stack of pancakes on your birthday, anniversary, and right when you sign up.
53. Islands
Join Island’s Tiki Link and get a free dessert to celebrate the rest of your bounty of free food on your birthday.
54. Jack’s
Shake it up on your birthday with a free reward from Jack’s Family Restaurants when you sign up for their app.
55. Jamba Juice
As a Jamba Insider Rewards member, you will get a free birthday smoothie or juice.
56. Jersey Mike’s
Sign up and get a free sub with any purchase on your day of birth.
57. Jimmy John’s
If you join Freaky Fast Rewards, Jimmy John’s will give you a free 6-inch sub on your birthday.
58. Johnny Rockets
Stop into Johnny Rockets the week of your birthday and grab a free burger with the purchase of an entree and drink as a member of the Rocket eClub.
59. Junior’s Cheesecake
Join Junior’s Birthday Club to get a free slice of cheesecake with the purchase of a lunch or dinner entrée. And if you’re stuffed with the other birthday offerings, you have seven days before and after your birthday to claim your prize.
60. Krispy Kreme
You can get free dozen original glazed donuts on your birthday if you’re a Krispy Kreme Rewards member. That’s right… 12 donuts for free!
61. Longhorn Steakhouse
Not only will you get a free appetizer when you sign up for a Longhorn account, you’ll also get a free dessert on your birthday.
62. Macaroni Grill
Get a free dessert with entree purchase on your birthday.
63. McDonald’s
Download the McDoanld’s app and you’ll be on your way to a free medium French fry.
64. Melting Pot
Melting Pot offers free chocolate-covered strawberries when you sign up for its online club. Just make sure you fondue it (sorry) before your birthday so the free treat arrives in time.
65. Menchie’s
Get a $5 store credit for frozen yogurt on your birthday by joining the mySmileage program.
66. Mimi’s Cafe
After you’ve stuffed yourself with free food on your birthday from everywhere else, Mimi’s offers a free dessert if you’re an E-Club member.
67. Moe’s Southwestern Grill
Download the Moe’s mobile app to get a free burrito. Oh, and you get a free order of queso just for joining the loyalty program.
68. Noodles & Company
Become part of Noodles Rewards and free food on your birthday will be coming your way.
69. Nothing Bundt Cakes
Join the email list to get a free Bundtlet, aka an absolutely delicious, individually packaged miniature bundt cake.
70. O’Charley’s
Signing up for the O’Club will get you a free birthday treat on your b-day.
71. Olive Garden
Get a free dessert on your birthday and you’ll also get a free song from your waiter(s). Plus, those breadsticks are also a divine freebie, too!
72. Outback Steakhouse
Head to the Land Down Under for a Bloomin’ Onion when you sign up for Outback Rewards. Plus, many locations will offer a free dessert for your special day.
73. Papa John’s
Become a Papa Rewards member and Papa John’s will give you a very special dessert on the big day.
74. Panera
Join the Panera rewards program and get a free pastry on your birthday.
75. Peet’s Coffee
Sign up for Peetnik rewards and get a free beverage on your birthday, redeemable within 14 days.
76. Pei Wei
To celebrate your birthday, Pei Wei Rewards Members can enjoy a free small plate of crab wontons, edamame, vegetable spring rolls, or a pork egg roll.
#SpoonTip: If you have a furry friend, you can get free treats on your pet’s birthday when you sign up for PetSmart’s Treats program.
77. P.F. Chang’s
As part of P.F. Chang’s rewards program, you can get a free dessert during your birthday month.
78. Pick Up Stix
Rewards members get a “special gift” on their birthday. Hopefully, it’s a free order of wontons!
79. Pieology
Join the PieLife for a free BOGO pizza or entree salad.
80. Pinkberry
As a Pinkberry loyalist, you will receive a free yogurt on your birthday and a free yogurt after every 10 purchases you make regardless of the day.
81. Pita Pit
Sign up to be a Pita Pit rewards member and you’ll get a free pita on your birthday.
82. Pizza Hut
When you make a Pizza Hut online account, they will email you a coupon for free treat on your birthday.
83. Planet Smoothie
Birthday Club members can get their fruits and veggies in with a free smoothie valued up to $6.
84. Popeye’s
Rewards members get a free apple pie dessert on their birthday.
85. Potbelly
Get free food on your birthday with a BOGO sandwich deal when you sign up for Potbelly Perks.
86. Qdoba
Qdoba Rewards members get a queso and chips. We recommend sticking to regular birthday candles, though.
87. Quiznos
Quiznos loyalty members can enjoy a BOGO birthday sub sandwich.
88. Raising Canes
Join the Caniac Club and receive a free drink on your birthday, along with food rewards on your Caniac Club anniversary and other special holidays.
89. Red Lobster
Fresh Catch Clubbers get a free slice of chocolate cake with ice cream. Honestly, we’d be happy if it’s just an order of Cheddar Bay Biscuits.
90. Rita’s Italian Ice
Head over to Rita’s on your day of birth, and it’ll reward you with a free scoop of Italian ice when you’re an e-Club member.
91. Red Robin
Red Robin Royalty can enjoy a free burger during your birthday month. Birthday burger…YUM!
92. Rubio’s Coastal Grille
Rubio’s rewards program’s birthday deal is a surprise. Who doesn’t love a surprise? Plus, you’ll get $5 off your first order.
93. Ruby Tuesday
You may not want to be SoConnected, but signing up for the club means you score free dessert or a free trip to the Garden Bar.
94. Sbarro
Keep channeling your inner Michael Scott with a stop at his favorite authentic New York pizza joint: Slice Society members get a free slice with a minimum purchase of $5 on their birthdays.
95. Seasons 52
Just let your waiter know it’s your birthday and you will get any dessert you want for free.
96. Smashburger
SmashClub members get a free side and/or classic smash burger to ring in their new year.
97. Sonic Drive-In
My Sonic rewards get you a free classic shake and small side on your birthday when you drive up.
98. Sprinkles
Enjoy a free cupcake from Sprinkles on your birthday.
99. Starbucks
Sign up for the Starbucks Rewards program at least seven days before your birthday and get a free drink or food item.
100. Subway
When you sign up for Subway’s MyWay Rewards, you will get a free treat on your birthday.
101. Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen will celebrate your birthday with a birthday gift reward, which can be redeemed for some money off of anything on the menu. To receive the birthday reward, you must add your birthday to your profile on the Sweetgreen website or app at least 14 days prior.
102. Texas Roadhouse
Sign up for their VIP membership with your email and get a free dessert on your day.
103. Tim Horton’s
Get your coffee or breakfast sandwich fix for free on your special day when you sign up for Tims Rewards.
104. The Habit Burger Grill
Members of the CharClub get a free Charburger with cheese on their birthday.
105. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Enjoy a surprise on your Tropical Smoothie rewards app on your birthday.
106. Vitality Bowls
Members of the loyalty program get a free birthday acai bowl.
107. Waffle House
The Waffle House Regulars Club rewards members with a free birthday waffle.
108. Wahlburgers
Free shake for you on your b-day when you’re part of the Wahlclub.
109. Wayback Burgers
Download the Wayback app and get a free Old Time Favorite shake on your birthday.
110. Wetzel’s Pretzels
Use the app to get a free pretzel for your birthday.
111. Whataburger
On your birthday, get one free milkshake by signing up for the loyalty program.
112. Which Wich
Join Vibe Club Rewards to get a free seven-inch sandwich on your birthday.
113. Wienerschnitzel
Sign up for the suggestively titled Wiener Lovers’ Club and get a free chili dog on your birthday.
114. Wingstop
Get a free birthday gift on your birthday and also when you sign up for the Wingstop Club.
115. Yard House
House Insider members get a free mini birthday dessert.
116. Yogurtland
When you join Yogurtland’s Real Rewards program, you’ll get a free birthday reward, which amounts to $5 off your purchase.