Top 10 Best Restaurants to Get Free Food on Your Birthday
The only thing sweeter than a birthday meal or dessert is getting it for FREE. Here are our top 10 favorite restaurants to get free food on your birthday. 
As everyone knows—food tastes better when it's free, and perhaps nothing tastes as good as getting free food (and free birthday stuff!) on your birthday. Fortunately, many restaurants offer just that. Whether you've joined an email list or loyalty program, or simply mentioned to the server that you're celebrating your birthday, there's nearly no shortage of opportunities to score a free drink, dessert, or even meal on your special day.
To make it even easier, we've compiled a list of our top 10 favorite restaurants where you can get free food on your birthday. Cheers!
1. Krispy Kreme
Birthday deal: Get a box of delicious glazed original donuts on your special day when you sign up for Krispy Kreme Rewards.
2. The Cheesecake Factory
Birthday deal: Join Cheesecake Rewards for a free birthday slice of cake and other surprises. Join just before your birthday and redeem it for your special day for big savings.
3. Denny's
Birthday deal: Start your birthday morning off with a free breakfast at Denny's! You'll get a grand slam breakfast worth $12 and includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more.
4. Nothing Bundt Cakes
Birthday deal: Register for the Nothing Bundt Cake eClub and you'll get a free bundlet cake one week prior to your birthday! Now that's a sweet deal you don't want to miss.
5. Chick-fil-A
Birthday deal: Depending on your Chick-fil-A reward level, you could score either a free dessert or an entire meal for your Birthday. (Don't like Chic-fil-A? You can get a PDQ birthday freebie, too!)
6. Benihana
Birthday deal: Score a $30 Benihana Birthday Certificate during your birthday month when you become a Benihana Chef Table Club member.
7. Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza and Wings
Birthday deal: Get a free 12-inch traditional pizza with any $5 purchase for your birthday by becoming a member of Anthony's Pizza Coal Fire Rewards.
8. IHOP
Birthday deal: Get free birthday pancakes when you join the IHOP Pancake Revolution Rewards Club.
9. Publix Grocery Stores
Birthday deal: Become a Club Publix member and get a free bar cake or container of Publix-brand premium ice cream.
10. Pollo Tropical
Birthday deal: Get a free half-fire grilled chicken platter meal from Pollo Tropical on your birthday when you join Pollo Tropical Rewards.
Top Free Food on your Birthday by Restaurant Type
Fast Food Chains
- Starbucks: Free birthday drink or treat when you sign up for the Starbucks Rewards program.
- Culvers: Free one scoop sundae when you join the E-Club.
- Baskin Robbins: Free scoop of ice cream when you join the Birthday Club.
- Subway: Free cookie or other reward when you sign up for their rewards program.
- Auntie Anne's: Free pretzel when you join their Pretzel Perks program.
Casual Dining Restaurants
- Denny's: Free Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday.
- IHOP: Free stack of pancakes when you join the Pancake Revolution Club.
- Red Robin: Free burger when you sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Free snack-size wings when you join the Blazin' Rewards program.
- Chili's: Free dessert when you join My Chili's Rewards.
Family-Friendly and Buffet Restaurants
- Golden Corral: Free meal when you join the Good as Gold Club.
- Ruby Tuesday: Free burger or Garden Bar entree when you join their So Connected program.
- Sizzler: Free Malibu Chicken or other reward when you sign up for the Real Deal e-club.
- Chuck E. Cheese: Children will get 100 free ticket coupons for their birthday.
- Gatti's Pizza: Free classic pizza on your birthday.
Specialty Shops and Other
- Krispy Kreme: Free donut when you join their rewards program.
- Sprinkles Cupcakes: Free birthday cupcake when you sign up for Sprinkles Perks.
- Sephora: Free beauty product when you join the Beauty Insider program.
- Ulta Beauty: Free gift when you join the Ultamate Rewards program.
- Panera Bread: Free pastry or dessert when you sign up for MyPanera.
Tips for Maximizing Free Birthday Treats
- Sign Up in Advance: Many programs require you to sign up a few days or even weeks before your birthday to qualify for the freebie.
- Check Expiration Dates: Some birthday rewards are only valid on your birthday, while others may be redeemable throughout your birthday month.
- Bring ID: Some places may ask for proof of your birthday, so have your ID handy.
- Read the Fine Print: Some offers might have specific terms and conditions, such as minimum purchase requirements.
Get Birthday Deals on Clothes, Cosmetics, and Movies, Too
Restaurants aren't the only places giving away birthday treats. Cosmetic stores, shoe stores, game centers, and movie theatres also offer birthday freebies and rewards. Here are some of our favorites:
- Become a theatre member and get free movie tickets
- Join the DSW Shoes VIP Program and get $5 off for your birthday
- Get $10 off your purchase at Express when you join Express Insiders Rewards
- Sephora Beauty Insider members get a free birthday gift from Sephora with a $25 purchase
For even more birthday deals, read Free Birthday Stuff 2024 - Guide to the Best Birthday Freebies and cheap birthday ideas.
Other Ways to Score Free Food
Having a birthday isn't the only way you can get free food or score fast-food deals. While most restaurants do offer some kind of birthday freebie, most also offer periodic freebies for other reasons too. Here are some other ways you can score restaurant coupons and deals:
- Join a restaurant's loyalty program
- Subscribe to their newsletter or email list
- Participate in social media contests and activities
- Follow MySavings for all the latest food coupons and freebies
Where you're looking for free birthday food or birthday freebies that are not food, we've got you covered. Lastly, be sure to follow MySavings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for even more freebies, deals, and coupons.
