If your stomach is growling and your wallet is empty while you wait on EBT approval (or any other program that takes its sweet time), don’t panic—I’ve got your back. Pro tip: don’t sign up for these freebies on the same day you plan to claim them. Sign up a day or two in advance, because nothing screams “suspicious” like a last-minute birthday miracle.
You know what they say—let them eat cake and all. Just remember, to redeem these offers, you’ll usually need to join their rewards programs or newsletters ahead of time and present the digital or paper voucher they send. Oh, and heads up—some places might make you buy something to snag the freebie (because nothing in life is truly free), so check the fine print before you roll up expecting a no-strings-attached feast.
Here’s your golden ticket: a list of establishments offering birthday rewards programs. Because even when the system lets you down, at least someone’s feeding you.
A&W Restaurants
Free small root beer float on your birthday when you join the Mug Club.
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant
Special birthday offers when you sign up for their eClub.
Acapulco Restaurant and Cantina
Free entrée (up to $15) on your birthday when you join their rewards program.
Applebee’s
Free dessert with any purchase of $15 or more on your birthday when you join their email club.
Arby’s
Free medium shake with any full-price menu item purchase on your birthday when you sign up for their email list.
BD’s Mongolian Grill
Buy one, get one free bowl of stir-fry on your birthday when you join their Club Mongo.
Ben & Jerry’s
A special birthday surprise when you join their Flavor Fanatics club.
Benihana
Free $30 gift certificate with the purchase of a second adult entrée, valid Monday through Thursday during your birthday month when you join the Chef’s Table.
Bertucci’s
Free slice of chocolate cake on your birthday when you join their eClub.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Free Pizookie dessert on your birthday when you sign up for Premier Rewards Plus.
Black Angus Steakhouse
Earn double points during your birthday month when you join their Prime Club.
Black Bear Diner
Free “Bearthday” breakfast (pancakes or waffles, eggs, and bacon or sausage) when you sign up for their eClub.
Bojangles’
Free Bo-Berry biscuit with any purchase on your birthday when you join their eClub.
Boston Market
Free dessert or regular side (no purchase necessary) on your birthday when you join their VIP Club.
Buffalo Wild Wings
$5 off a $25 purchase on your birthday when you sign up for their Blazin’ Rewards.
Burger King
Free kids’ meal for children on their birthday when you sign them up for the BK Kids’ Club.
California Pizza Kitchen
Free dessert on your birthday when you join their rewards program.
Captain D’s
Free meal on your birthday when you join their D’s Club.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Exclusive offers, including birthday rewards, when you join their Amici Club.
Chick-fil-A
Free birthday reward (varies by location) when you download their app and create an account.
Chili’s
Free dessert on your birthday when you sign up for My Chili’s Rewards.
Cinnabon
Free Minibon for signing up and a free iced coffee on your birthday when you join Club Cinnabon.
Cold Stone Creamery
Buy one, get one free Creation on your birthday when you join the My Cold Stone Club.
Cracker Barrel
Free dessert on your birthday when you visit any Cracker Barrel location.
Culver’s
Free sundae on your birthday when you join the Culver’s eClub.
Dairy Queen
Special birthday coupon when you join the Blizzard Fan Club.
Del Taco
Free premium shake on your birthday, plus two free grilled chicken tacos just for signing up for the Raving Fan eClub.
Denny’s
Free Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday; no sign-up required, just show ID.
Domino’s
Some locations offer free birthday perks (such as a dessert item) when you sign up for their rewards program.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Free medium beverage on your birthday when you join the DD Perks Rewards Program.
El Pollo Loco
Free dessert or special birthday coupon when you sign up for Loco Rewards.
Firehouse Subs
Free medium sub on your birthday when you sign up for Firehouse Rewards.
Friendly’s
Free medium sundae on your birthday when you sign up for their BFF Club.
Golden Corral
A free meal or discount on your birthday when you join the Good as Gold Club.
Hard Rock Café
Free dessert with a purchase on your birthday when you join their rewards program.
Hardee’s
Free small fry and drink with the purchase of a Thickburger on your birthday when you join their email club.
Hooters
Free 10 wings on your birthday when you join their HootClub.
IHOP
Free stack of pancakes on your birthday when you sign up for the IHOP Pancake Revolution.
Jack in the Box
Free dessert or other special offers on your birthday when you join their eClub.
Jamba Juice
Free birthday smoothie or juice when you sign up for Jamba Rewards.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Free regular sub and drink on your birthday when you join MyMike’s Rewards.
Krispy Kreme
Free doughnut and a coffee on your birthday when you join their Rewards Program.
Little Caesars
Some locations offer birthday freebies, such as Crazy Bread, when you sign up for the email club.
Logan’s Roadhouse
Free slice of birthday cake when you sign up for their Nut-E Club.
LongHorn Steakhouse
Free dessert with a purchase when you join their email club.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Special birthday coupon when you sign up for their eClub.
McAlister’s Deli
Free birthday treat when you join McAlister’s Rewards.
McDonald’s
Special birthday coupons or free dessert with the app, depending on location.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Free burrito or entrée on your birthday when you join Moe Rewards.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Free Bundtlet on your birthday when you join their eClub.
Olive Garden
Free dessert or appetizer on your birthday when you sign
up for their email club.
Outback Steakhouse
Free dessert or other birthday perks when you join Outback Rewards.
Panda Express
Free dessert on your birthday when you join their rewards program.
Panera Bread
Free pastry or dessert on your birthday when you sign up for MyPanera Rewards.
Papa John’s
Free dessert or pizza coupon on your birthday when you join Papa Rewards.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
Free birthday breakfast or pastry when you join their eClub.
Pizza Hut
Free dessert on your birthday when you sign up for Hut Rewards.
Quiznos
Free cookie or dessert on your birthday when you join the Q Club.
Red Lobster
Special birthday surprise when you join My Red Lobster Rewards.
Red Robin
Free birthday burger when you sign up for Red Robin Royalty.
Ruby Tuesday
Free Garden Bar entrée or dessert on your birthday when you sign up for Ruby Rewards.
Sbarro
Free slice of pizza on your birthday when you join their Slice Society.
Sonic Drive-In
Free small float or dessert on your birthday when you join MySonic Rewards.
Starbucks
Free birthday drink or treat when you sign up for Starbucks Rewards.
Steak ’n Shake
Free milkshake on your birthday when you join their eClub.
Subway
Free 6-inch sub on your birthday when you join MyWay Rewards.
Sweet Tomatoes (or Souplantation)
Free meal on your birthday when you sign up for Club Veg.
TGI Friday’s
Free dessert on your birthday when you join Friday’s Rewards.
Texas Roadhouse
Free appetizer or side on your birthday when you join their eClub.
The Cheesecake Factory
Free scoop of ice cream or dessert (varies by location) on your birthday.
The Habit Burger Grill
Free charburger with cheese on your birthday when you sign up for their app rewards.
Tijuana Flats
Free birthday entrée when you join their Flatheads Rewards.
Waffle House
Free birthday waffle when you join the Regulars Club.
Wendy’s
Free Frosty or birthday coupon when you sign up for their app.
Whataburger
Free Justaburger on your birthday when you join their rewards program.
Wingstop
Free order of fries on your birthday when you sign up for their app.
Zaxby’s
Free birthday nibbler sandwich when you sign up for Zax Rewards.
