Happy birthday! I've got some great news for you, there are dozens of nationwide restaurant chains that offer free items to customers on their birthday. The only catch is that you normally need to join a rewards program to be eligible.
You might also need to spend a few dollars to be able to claim the free item, but if this is the case, I have included a suggestion on how to earn free money or gift cards on your birthday as well.
Get free food on your birthday from major chains
Here are the chains who will give you a free dish on your birthday. For all of these chains, you will need to join their loyalty program to get the freebie.
Breakfast
| Restaurant | Free Dish | Loyalty Program | Conditions |
|---|
| Denny's | Grand Slam Breakfast | Denny's Rewards | Must show ID, no signup needed |
| IHOP | Stack of Pancakes | MyHOP Rewards | Signup required before birthday |
| Einstein Bros. Bagels | Free Egg Sandwich | Shmear Society | Signup required before birthday |
| Bruegger’s Bagels | Free Bagel and Cream Cheese | Bruegger's eClub | Signup required before birthday |
Fast Food
| Restaurant | Free Dish | Loyalty Program | Conditions |
|---|
| Firehouse Subs | Free Medium Sub | Firehouse Rewards | Minimum $1 spend, reward valid for 6 days |
| Jersey Mike's | Free Sub and Drink | MyMike's Rewards | Signup required, reward delivered by app or email |
| Qdoba | Free Burrito | Qdoba Rewards | Signup and purchase history may be required |
| Del Taco | Free Milkshake | Del Yeah! Rewards | Signup required, reward sent through app |
| Chick-fil-A | Free Cookie or Brownie | Chick-fil-A One | Reward varies by location, app account required |
Casual Dining
| Restaurant | Free Dish | Loyalty Program | Conditions |
|---|
| Red Robin | Free Burger | Red Robin Royalty | Signup required, must be member before birthday |
| Chili's | Free Dessert | My Chili's Rewards | Signup required, must be member before birthday |
| Olive Garden | Free Dessert | Olive Garden eClub | Signup required |
| Applebee's | Free Dessert | Club Applebee's | Signup required, offers vary by location |
| Benihana | $30 Birthday Certificate | The Chef's Table | Signup required, dine-in only |
Desserts
| Restaurant | Free Dish | Loyalty Program | Conditions |
|---|
| Baskin-Robbins | Free Scoop of Ice Cream | Birthday Club | ignup required before birthday |
| Crumbl Cookies | Free Cookie | Crumbl Rewards | Signup through Crumbl app, reward shows in account |
| Cold Stone Creamery | BOGO Ice Cream | My Cold Stone Club | Email reward, signup required in advance |
| Krispy Kreme | Free Doughnut | Krispy Kreme Rewards | Signup required before birthday |
| Sprinkles | Free Cupcake | Sprinkles Perks | Signup required, reward is emailed |
You could get free food for a whole day if you planned ahead!
Get free money and gift cards on your birthday
If you need to get a bit of cash together to make the minimum spend, or to get a drink with your free food item, use an earning site like Freecash.
This is a platform where you can make money by completing simple tasks online, from your phone, like testing new games and responding to surveys. Complete tasks, earn funds, and then choose to withdraw how you want, from bank transfer and PayPal, to crypto and gift cards.
The average user earns $35 daily, while top earners race to make $5000 each month:
In just a few hours of gaming on your phone, helping us test new games, you could earn enough to get the meal you want on your birthday, all for free! This is easily one of the best jobs for lazy people.
Book hotel or casino trips for your birthday
Besides the free food, you can get at restaurants, many hotels and casinos, especially in Vegas, offer generous freebies to guests on their birthday. Present your ID at check-in and let them know it is your birthday, or will be soon.
For casinos, you often also get free slot plays as well as food. For instance, at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, you get a $15 free slot play and a $15 food credit. And at the Gun Lake Casino in Michigan, you get the chance to win either food or cash prizes on your birthday.
Of course, you have to spend a lot to get these freebies, but if you plan to go away for your birthday anyway, you could opt for a hotel that offers something for the big day.
Let every restaurant know it is your birthday when booking
And, as a final tip, whenever you book a table on your birthday let them know, even if they don't advertise a deal.
Simply telling them you want the table for a birthday is enough, you don't need to push for a freebie (that would guarantee you won't get one), but leave the information with them and there's a good chance. Perhaps a free dessert, or maybe a drink on the house.
