If I’m being honest, the only campus events that I attended during my freshmen year were the events with free food. Nibbles with the English department? Sure. Cheese and wine with rowing? I’m there. Cake with the juggling society? I’ve never juggled, but heck yes. At least 80 percent of my time is devoted to finding free food, and if you’re reading this article, I’m betting that yours is too. Welcome to the club, my friend, and get your phone ready, because these are the best apps to download if you like free food.
1. Auntie Anne’s
Are you a fan of pretzels? Trick question, of course you are. Download My Pretzel Perks and you can get a free pretzel from Auntie Anne’s after your first purchase. Plus, you get a free pretzel each time you spend $30 on the app. Tbh, that sounds like the perfect excuse to buy more pretzels.
2. Starbucks
You know what the hardest part about moving to the UK from Canada was? Losing all of my rewards points on the Canadian Starbucks app. Sad, but true. Download the Starbucks app today and you can get a free drink each time you spend $62.50 (in the US). It sounds like a lot of money, but if you’re buying coffee most days, you’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up.
3. Jamba Juice
Some people like to celebrate their birthday by having a party; I like to celebrate my birthday by going to restaurants that will give me free food. Download the Jamba Juice app now and treat yourself to a free drink on your birthday. Make sure to order ahead so you can smugly walk past the line of people waiting to order.
4. Dunkin’ Donuts
OK, OK, don’t get too excited — there are no free donuts when you download the Dunkin’ Donuts app. But you can get a free beverage upon joining, on your birthday, and every time that you spend $40. If you’re still stuck on the free donuts thing, don’t worry — the chain usually gives out free donuts on National Donut Day.
5. Panera
Who doesn’t love free carbs? Just downloading the Panera Bread app gets you a free pastry and a treat on your birthday. If you’re looking for more Panera hacks, a former employee leaked some good ones, like substituting avocado for meat for free.
6. Domino’s
Honestly, Domino’s is about as essential to the average college student as textbooks or Uber. Download the Domino’s Pizza app and get a free medium pizza each time that you reach $60 on the app. Which, tbh, should only take a few weeks.
7. McDonald’s
Are there any better drunchies than McDonald’s French fries? The next time that you and your squad have a night out, save money by downloading the McDonald’s app. The deals are updated often, but in the past they’ve had free sides of fries with any purchase and BOGO Happy Meals.
8. Marble Slab
Free ice cream is worth screaming for. Download the Slab Happy app and you can get a free ice cream cone when you join, as well as each time you spend $50 on the app. The best part? It works at MaggieMoo’s, too.
9. Papa John’s
If you’re less about Domino’s and more about a slice of Papa John’s, then look no further and get the Papa John’s app. Download it to earn one point each time you spend $5, which you can put towards free food. Garlic knots will cost you 10 points, while a large two-topping pizza will cost you 20 points.
10. Wendy’s
The only thing better than Wendy’s savage Twitter account is the amazing deals that you can get via the Wendy’s app. Right now it’s BOGO on a Dave’s single burger or a spicy chicken sandwich, so you can treat a friend (or, realistically, save yourself a meal for later).
11. Krispy Kreme
Grab your phone because you’re going to want to download the Krispy Kreme app ASAP—you get a free doughnut just for signing up, and you can earn rewards towards more free doughnuts. To quote Homer Simpson: “Mmmm…. doughnuts.”
12. Sonic
Ooh, baby. Who doesn’t love a sonic slush? Download the Sonic Drive-In app today and you can get a medium slush free just for joining. Plus, the app gives you access to monthly treats. It’s like it’s your birthday every single month.
13. Chili’s
Chili’s isn’t joking around when they say that they’re like no place else. Not only does downloading the Chili’s app get you a free dessert on your birthday, but it also gets you free chips, salsa, or a non-alcoholic beverage every time that you visit. Yes, you read that correctly. Out of all of the apps to download, if you like free food, this one is by far the best.
14. Buffalo Wild Wings
Who knew that you could be rewarded for hanging out on your couch, watching a game, and eating wings? Download the Blazin’ Rewards app and start earning points to redeem for free cheddar cheese curds, burgers, or of course, wings.
15. Quizno’s
Sure, there are plenty of apps to download if you like free food, but none of them have as cute of a name as this app. Download Quizno’s Toasty Points to start collecting points towards your next sub. You get 10 extra points for each friend that you refer. And with a name like “toasty points,” who wouldn’t want to join?
16. Steak ‘n Shake
You know what brings all the boys to the yard? A free milkshake. Download the Steak ‘n Shake app to claim yours. Plus, for every $50 that you spend on the app, you earn $5 towards more free food.
17. Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen is taking America by storm, and if you’re one of those people that are addicted to their salads, then you need the Sweetgreen app in your life. For every $99 that you spend, you get $9 towards a free salad. Plus, you get a free salad on your birthday, and once you hit “green status,” part of the money you spend goes towards building healthier communities. You get free salads and you’re giving back.
18. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-a promises endless awesome chicken, and you can bet that they deliver. Download the Chick-fil-A app today and start earning points towards free treats like waffle fries, chocolate chunk cookies, or a soft drink. The choice is yours.
19. IHOP
The only thing more comforting than the pillow behind your head as you binge-watch “Parks and Rec” is a stack of even fluffier pancakes. Get your flapjacks for free by downloading the IHOP app. Not only do you get your first stack free, but you also get free pancakes on your birthday and every year on your anniversary of joining. Yes, please.
20. TGI Friday’s
In my personal opinion, the TGI Fridays app is seriously underrated. Not only do you get a free dessert on your birthday, but you also get a free appetizer or dessert just for joining. Mozzarella sticks, anyone?
21. Burger King
The best part about the Burger King app is that you don’t collect points, you collect crowns. I mean, sure, both William and Harry are taken, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a queen. Just download the Burger King app and start earning crowns today. Spending your first $5 will get you 50 crowns, or any item on the menu.
Whether you like doughnuts or burgers, download some or all of these apps for maximum free food. But if your phone’s storage won’t allow you to even take another picture, let alone download another app, learn how to score free food every month of the year. Now that’s a calendar that I need in my life.