101 Restaurants Where You Can Eat for Free on Your Birthday

If you play your cards right and sign up for a whole lot of mailing lists and rewards programs, you can easily eat your way through lots of restaurants for free on your birthday. Chain restaurants love giving incentives for email signups, so take advantage of it and see how many free birthday meals you can eat this year. You might even double down and pick a date where kids eat for for free too. 

Offer and availability may vary by location.

Looking for more free stuff on your birthday? Be sure to also check out our list of birthday freebies and discounts from stores.

Relive memories of childhood stops at A&W with a free root beer float on your birthday. Just sign up for the Mug Club, which will also email you monthly offers.

As an added bonus, A&W is considered some of the best fast food in the Northeast.

You'll score a free entrée for your birthday at this Tex-Mex chain with locations in the Southern states. Just join Mi Abuelo's Rewards and make two visits to the restaurant before your big day in order to qualify for the free birthday meal.

This chain of coal-fired pizza joints gives members of its rewards program a free 12-inch traditional pizza with a purchase of $5 or more. If you reach the VIP level of the loyalty program, you'll get a 16-inch pizza instead. 

Bonus: You'll get a free pizza just for signing up, as well.

At Applebee's, you'll get free food on your birthday, but what you get depends on which location you visit. You may get a free birthday app, entree, or dessert, depending on the franchisees in your area. Sign up for the restaurant's Eclub to receive your offer.

Sign up on Arby's website to receive email coupons, and you'll get a free small shake coupon emailed to you about a week before your birthday. The free shake is available with the purchase of a full-price menu item.

Looking for more discounts and freebies? Check out our roundup of unbeatable food deals near you.

This French-style bakery and cafe chain will email you a coupon for a free salad or sandwich lunch good during the week of your birthday. Sign up on their website and you'll get a free coffee and bakery item, too.

You can get a free signature or classic pretzel during the month of your birthday at Auntie Anne's. You'll need to download their phone app and use it to join their Pretzel Perks rewards program, but those buttery pretzels are worth it.

Grab a $10 birthday reward at Baja Fresh for your birthday. Sign up for Club Baja and your birthday reward will be loaded on to your rewards account seven days before your birthday and will be good for another seven days after your birthday (so 14 days total). Use that $10 toward a free birthday meal of a burrito, tacos, a baja bowl, or whatever your heart desires.

Who needs birthday cake when you can have pie? Join the Baker's Square eClub and get a coupon for a free slice of pie for your birthday. Plus, you'll get a coupon for $3 off when you sign up as well.

You'll get a free scoop of ice cream from Baskin-Robbins for your birthday. All you have to do is sign up for the loyalty program and opt in to the birthday club. Then comes the hardest part: choosing between 31 flavors.

Sign up for BD's Rewards program in order to snag a buy-one-get-one free bowl for your birthday each year. If you've turned stuffing as many ingredients into that bowl as possible, then it's a pretty big free meal. Plus you'll get a free starter or dessert reward just for signing up. 

If you're lucky enough to live near a Ben & Jerry's scoop shop, sign up for the Flavor Fanatics rewards program. You'll get 10% off in-store and takeout orders and receive an offer via email for one free ice cream on your birthday.

One of the highest value items on this list, Benihana sends you a birthday certificate for up to $30 if you join their Chef's Table email club. There are stipulations, of course: You must purchase another adult meal, you must dine for dinner Monday through Thursday, and the $30 will only be applied to the birthday person. But if you love teppanyaki, it's a great deal.

Big Boy is a blast from the past restaurant chain, and if you sign up for the Kids Club with your child's birthday, they'll get a free birthday kids meal. You'll also get an occasional dessert freebie too, like shakes or ice cream. 

Do you crave a decadent, gooey dessert on your birthday? Who wouldn't. BJ's Brewhouse has you covered with a free birthday Pizookie for its rewards club members. They're warm skillet cookies with ice cream on top in flavors like hot fudge brownie and salted caramel.

This chain is famous for its biscuits, so naturally, it's also your birthday freebie. Sign up for the restaurant's E-Club to receive a coupon for a free Bo-Berry biscuit — a sweet, icing-glazed treat — on your birthday.

Hungry for more? Check out our ranking of Bojangles' sides.

You have options for your birthday freebie at Bonefish Grill: either a Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer or a dessert. Sign up on their website to be a Bonefish Grill Insider and your coupon will be emailed to you.

You'll get a free treat on your birthday when you sign up for the Rotisserie Rewards club at Boston Market. Be sure to sign up at least two weeks before your birthday, and your birthday reward will be loaded onto your account at least one day before your birthday good for one free dessert (usually a cookie). The birthday freebie is then good for 14 days from when you receive it.

Birthdays are sweeter at Boston's restaurants because members of its rewards program will score a free dessert. Plus you'll get a free individual pizza after your first visit, as well. 

A free bagel and cream cheese will be all yours on your birthday if you sign up for Bruegger's Bagels eClub. Bonus: You get a free bagel and schmear just for signing up, too.

This seafood chain, based on characters from the movie "Forrest Gump," gives you a free $25 certificate to use during the month of your birthday. However, getting the reward is a little more involved than it once was. You first have to sign up for Landry's Select Club, the parent company of Bubba Gump Shrimp, which costs $25 to join. You'll immediately receive a $25 welcome reward, and then you'll receive a free $25 birthday reward to use during your birthday month. (Note: The two rewards can't be used on the same visit.)

You get a Colossal Brownie Sundae for your birthday or a slice of Double Dark Chocolate Cake if you take your order to go, as well as a free pasta for joining Buca di Beppo's e-club. 

We all have our favorite Buffalo Wild Wings sauce, and you can get six wings coated in it for free for your birthday. Sign up for the Blazin' Rewards program and you'll get a coupon for a half dozen free wings during your birth month. 

You may not get a free barbecue chicken pizza, but during your birthday month, you'll get a free dessert at California Pizza Kitchen instead. Sign up for the California Pizza Kitchen Rewards program to get your coupon. 

You'll also get a free starter when you register and earn rewards every time you dine at their restaurant. If you earn over 350 points (1 point = $1 spent), you'll receive a free birthday entrée from Californa Pizza Kitchen.

Members of the Caribou Perks program can receive a free beverage in any size. You will have up to seven days to redeem the offer.

Carrabba's offers the birthday person a free dessert during the month of their birthday. Join their Dine Rewards program and you'll receive an email the month of your birthday.

Who doesn't love ice cream, especially on their birthday? Join Carvel's Fudgie Fanatics email program and you'll get a free scoop on your birthday.

If you somehow have room after a giant meal at Cheesecake Factory, you'll get a free slice of cheesecake on your birthday. Sign up for their email newsletter to get your coupon.

At Chevy's, you'll receieve a free birthday entrée to celebrate your big day when you sign up for the company's Xperience Rewards (which also applies to El Torito and Acupulco restaurants). You'll also receive free chips and guacamole when you sign up for the rewards program.

You'll get a full meal for free at Chicken Salad Chick for your birthday. You'll need to download the chain's mobile app and sign up for rewards program account. One week before your birthday, you'll get a reward for an Original Chick meal in your account that's good for 30 days. 

As a member of Chili's rewards program, you’ll be eligible for a free dessert on your birthday and other freebies.

Pick from a free leg, thigh, or tender strip of chicken for your birthday at Church's Texas Chicken. Get your coupon delivered to your inbox by signing up for its email club.

Joining the Cinnabon Rewards program will get you a free 16 ounce cold brew iced coffee. You also get a coupon for a free Minibon when you sign up. (Note: Not all locations offer the freebies.)

The eClub of Cold Stone Creamery will send you a buy-one-get-one free coupon for ice cream on your birthday. So grab a friend and celebrate, or just plan on eating a whole lot of ice cream yourself. You'll get a coupon when you sign up, too.

You've got options at Corner Bakery: You get to choose a free sweet pastry during your birthday month. Options include cookies, dessert bars, and cake slices, depending on what your location has. Sign up for the eClub to get your coupon.

Some Cracker Barrel locations will give you a free dessert (and song!) on your birthday without having to sign up for any programs. It's up to the franchisor though, so call ahead and see if they participate in this promotion before going. There's also the Cracker Barrel Rewards program, which offers a free barrel bite for signing up, as well as other rewards.

Sign up for Crumbl Cookie's loyalty program, input your birthday, and you'll get a free cookie voucher emailed to you every year on your birthday. We're partial to the triple berry cobbler over the chocolate chip, but you do you.

If a free frozen custard with two toppings sounds like a great way to end a birthday, just sign up for the MyCulver's rewards program and you'll get the coupon mailed to you before your birthday. (You'll also get a buy-one-get-one free value basket coupon just for signing up, too.)

Related: All of Culver's Sides, Ranked Best to Worst

You'll get a BOGO coupon for a free Blizzard for your birthday at Dairy Queen. Sign up for the Fan Club to receive it.

Grab a free regular-sized shake on your birthday from Del Taco. You get to choose from chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. Join the Del Yeah! Rewards program to get your coupon. You'll also get two free The Del tacos just for signing up, along with other perks.

Denny's has one of the most well-known birthday rewards deals: a free Grand Slam breakfast meal.

Related: The Most Popular Dishes on the Denny’s Breakfast Menu

You'll get a free classic sandwich at Dickey's for your birthday. Sign up for the Big Yellow Cup Club to get your offer via email. 

Related: Bucket List Barbecue in Every State

While you'd assume you might get a free donut on your birthday, at Dunkin' Donuts you now receive triple loyalty points with a purchase if you've signed up for the Dunkin' Rewards program. Loyalty points can then be used for free food and drinks. Dunkin' recently dropped its offer of a free birthday drink, according to AP News. 

Related: Dunkin' vs. Krispy Kreme - Who Has The Better Tasting Doughnuts

Bagel lovers who join the Shmear Society rewards program are rewarded on their birthday with a free breakfast sandwich with purchase.

Get your barbecue on for your birthday at Famous Dave's. The freebie seems to vary by location, but has included free birthday meal of an entrée or dessert in the past. Sign up for their Famous Nation email club to find out.

The birthday program at Firehouse Subs hooks you up with a free medium sub with any purchase on your birthday. Sign up for their Firehouse Rewards to get your coupon that is good for a week. Then plan to try a dozen new hot sauces when you redeem it.

Friendly's offers a free sundae on your birthday for you and your kids. Join their BFF Club to get your coupon by email.

This chain known for its burgers and toppings bar will give you a buy-one-get-one free burger offer for your birthday. Sign up for Fuddruckers eClub and they'll send you a coupon around your birthday.

Grimaldi's rewards club sends its members a great birthday gift: a coupon for a free 16-inch cheese pizza when you dine-in. You'll just need to make a purchase at the pizzeria in the year prior to your birthday to qualify. Plus, you get a free appetizer reward when you sign up.

If you're so inclined to head to Hooters for your birthday, you can get 10 free wings. Join the restaurant's HootClub Rewards program through the website or through the app and you'll get the coupon by email.

Chow down on a free entrée for your birthday when you sign up for Houlihan's email list.

Breakfast lovers take note: IHOP gives you free pancakes for your birthday. You also get a free stack right away when you sign up for IHOP's rewards program.

You'll get two free tacos with any other purchase during the week of your birthday at Jack in the Box. Just show your ID and the coupon you get by email when you sign up for their emails and enjoy your tacos.

At Jamba Juice, you'll get a free smoothie for your birthday. Sign up for the Jamba Rewards program and at least $15 to get your coupon automatically around your birthday.

The East Coast sub chain gives you a free regular-size sub for your birthday. Join their email club and they'll send you a coupon, which is good for an entire year.

Note: According to Jersey Mike's website, the company is currently "taking time to review our free birthday sub program." No new members can join at this time, but some customers have reported that if you have an existing account, the freebie may still work. Be sure to call ahead to confirm.

Sign up for Joe's Catch E-club and you'll be emailed a coupon for a free treat around your birthday. You'll also get a free appetizer coupon just for signing up. 

Joe's Crab Shack is now part of the Landry's restaurant group, so you can also sign up for Landry's Select Club, which costs $25 to join. You'll immediately receive a $25 welcome reward, and then you'll receive a free $25 birthday reward to use during your birthday month. (Note: The two rewards can't be used on the same visit.)

Grab yourself a free hamburger when you purchase another entree and drink at Johnny Rockets on your birthday. Get the coupon through email when you sign up for the Rocket E-club.

At Krispy Kreme, you get a fresh, warm glazed doughnut free on your birthday, though participation may vary. Join the Friends of Krispy Kreme E-club and you'll get a free doughnut just for signing up.

Stretch out your celebration with a free birthday meal from Lee's. You can get a free two-piece classic fried chicken meal anytime during your birthday month when you sign up for the restaurant's email newsletter. 

Join Legal Net Rewards to get a free dessert from Legal Sea Foods on your birthday. You can choose from favorites like key lime pie and Boston cream pie. Plus you'll get a free cup of clam chowder just for signing up. 

You'll be emailed a coupon for a free dessert for your birthday with the purchase of an adult entrée from Lone Star Steakhouse that's good for 21 days. Join the chains e-club to receive your coupon. The birthday gift can be redeemed in the restaurant or online for to-go orders.

Birthdays come with free dessert for members of LongHorn’s rewards club. You’ll also get member-exclusive promotions and $5 for your next visit after completing your first transaction.

Sign up for MyMcDonald's Rewards and on your birthday you'll find a coupon for a free medium fries in the Deals section of the mobile app. McDonald's also sometimes gives out free Happy Meals for birthdays, but only to kids. It's also location dependent, so you may want to ask if they participate next time you're in the restaurant. 

Related: Why McDonald's Fries Used to Taste Better

This fondue chain restaurant gives you a free half dozen chocolate-covered strawberries for your birthday and for signing up for their Club Fondue emails.

How does a free burrito sound? You'll get one each year on your birthday from Moe's Southwest Grill. Sign up for their rewards program to get your annual coupon. You'll also get a free cup of queso just for signing up.

This East Coast chain of casual restaurants slinging chicken wings and burgers will send you a coupon for a free birthday dessert every year. Just sign up for the rewards program to get it. You'll also get a free petite dessert after your first visit.

After a big bowl of mac and cheese, you can get a free dessert for your birthday, either a crispy — better known as a Rice Krispies treat — or a cookie. Sign up for their NoodlesREWARDS to get the coupon emailed to you. It's valid for two weeks. If you earn enough rewards points and join the higher membership tiers, you'll get either a small or regular entrée.

This sit-down pizza chain gives its customers a free birthday meal. Download the restaurant's mobile app or create a rewards account on the website in order to score the free birthday pizza. You'll also get a free starter just for signing up. 

Buffet fans will love the birthday freebie from Old Country Buffet. You'll get BOGO buffet meals for your birthday and just for signing up for their Crave Connection email club, too.

Join On the Border's Club Cantina and receive a coupon for free queso on your birthday. You'll also get a coupon for your choice of a free dessert, non-alcoholic beverage, or guacamole appetizer just for signing up.

Get a free small sundae or dessert at Outback Steakhouse when you sign up for their Dine Rewards program.

You get a free pastry or sweet from the bakery at Panera for your birthday. Sign up for the My Panera rewards program to get your coupon by email.

Peet's Coffee's loyalty program is appropriately named Peetnik Rewards. Join it and you'll get a free beverage of your choice for your birthday, which you'll have two weeks to redeem. 

You have options when it comes to your birthday freebie at P.F. Chang's. When you sign up for their rewards program, you'll get an email coupon for your free dessert.

You'll get a free frozen yogurt on your birthday at Pinkberry. Sign up for their Pinkcard loyalty program and download the app to get your coupon. (You'll also get a free frozen yogurt after you buy 10.)

Sign up for the Hut Rewards program and get a coupon for a free order of cinnamon sticks. The only catch is that you must place your order online to redeem the offer.

It’s hard to top a steak dinner for a birthday reward, but that’s what diners can expect when they join Ponderosa’s eClub. They can also choose to enjoy a buffet dinner. In either case, the offers requires the purchase of regularly priced meal, as well. Same is true for Bonanza. (Note: Not all locations participate in the eClub.)

When you sign up for the Quiznos' Toasty Points loyalty club, you'll get a BOGO coupon for a free 8-inch sub.

Quiznos also usually offers National Sandwich Day deals, so keep an eye out for those in November. In the past, they've offered $3 off any 12-inch sub.

Red Lobster keeps their birthday freebie a secret, so likely it's based on location or randomly doled out. Sign up for My Lobster Rewards to get your mystery coupon around your birthday. Diners have reported getting coupons for free desserts or apps, and discounts.

The chain known for burgers gives away — surprise! — a burger for birthdays. Join the Red Robin Royalty rewards program to get a free burger coupon that's good for the entire month of your birthday. Red Robin now requires that you dine in the restaurant and make a minimum $4.99 purchase to receive your free birthday burger.

At Pei Wei, you'll get a free small Shareable for your birthday if you're a member of the rewards program. The name is a little bit deceiving though, because it's more like an individual appetizer. You can choose from items like a small edamame, two crab wontons, or one egg roll. Still, free is free.

Forget the Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, because Portillo's gives you a huge slice of its famous chocolate cake for your birthday. Sign up for the birthday club — and enter the birthdays of up to three kids — to score the free slice. 

Move over sandwiches, because the freshly baked cookies at Potbelly are just as delicious — and you can get one free for your birthday. Join the Perks loyalty program to get it, along with a free sandwich after you make your first purchase.

If there's still room in your stomach after all that meat, you'll get a free dessert at Rodizio Grill for your birthday. Join Club Rodizio to get your offer by email that will be sent five days prior to your birthday. You'll also get a free gift just for signing up.

Personal pizzas seemed like the height of luxury as a kid, and you can relive that experience on your birthday at Round Table. Members of the loyalty program will get a free personal size pizza with a drink purchase for their birthday

Join Ruby Tuesday's new RubyRewards program (which recently replaced the So Connected club) and get a coupon for a free dessert for your birthday. The free dessert is available seven days before your birthday and expires 14 days after. If you're on a health kick for your birthday, you can opt for an add-on Garden Bar instead.

Head to the mall food court for a free slice of pizza from Sbarro. Valid for about two weeks, you'll receive the coupon when you sign up for Sbarro Rewards and make a purchase of $5 or more. (Available at select locations.)

Get a free shake with any purchase for your birthday at Smashburger. Join its SmashRewards program to get your birthday reward, plus free fries with your second purchase.

Sonny's BBQ doesn't skimp on its free birthday offer for members of its 'Q Crew rewards program. When it's your big day, you'll get a free Big Deal Combo with a barbecue sandwich, side, and a drink. 

Spaghetti Warehouse has one of the most generous rewards programs. Join the Warehouse Club and get a free meal on your birthday. You'll also get a free appetizer with purchase of an entrée just for signing up.

Who could pass up a free cupcake on their birthday? Get one from Sprinkles as long as you're a member of the loyalty program and make at least one purchase in the previous year. If you reach higher loyalty levels, you'll get two free cupcakes, or up to a baker's dozen for free.

Starbucks is generous with their birthday rewards: They let you choose a free beverage or food item. Sign up for their rewards program and the free item will be automatically added to your account.

You'll definitely want to sign up for Steak 'n Shake's eClub. They send you a coupon for a free double steak burger and cheese fries when they sign up and a free milkshake on their birthday.

If you're one of the many people who go to Subway regularly, you may as well sign up for the MVP rewards program. For your birthday, you'll get a free cookie to make your meal a little sweeter.

After a meal of bison burgers and cedar planked salmon, you'll get a free dessert on your birthday from Ted's Montana Grill. All you have to do is sign up for the email newsletter which gets you a $5 coupon as well. 

Sign up for TGI Friday's rewards program and you'll get a coupon for a free dessert. It's good for the entire month of your birthday, so you have plenty of time to use it.

This West Coast chain of sandwich shops will give you a free sandwich for your birthday. Sign up for its rewards program online on in the chain's mobile app to get it. You'll be able to get any sandwich up to $10, and the coupon will be good for two weeks. 

Join the Waffle House Regulars Club and they'll email you a coupon for a free waffle to enjoy on your birthday. No word on if they stick candles in it and sing to you. 

Related: Where to Find Good Cheap Breakfast in Every State

Get a free Justaburger from Whataburger when you sign up for their email newsletter. It comes topped with mustard and pickles, but it's your birthday, so get it however you want. 

Related: Local Burger Chains the Rest of the Country Needs

The loyalty program at Which Wich is called the Vibe Club, and when you sign up on the website or in the mobile app, you'll get a free regular 7-inch sandwich for your birthday. You'll need to have made a purchase in the previous 11 months in order to get it, though, so plan ahead.

Zaxby's used to do things the old-fashioned way by sending you a postcard coupon on your birthday, but you can now sign up for Zax Rewardz online or through the Zaxby app and redeem your birthday reward of three free cookies. You'll also get five free chicken fingers with Zax sauce when you sign up for Zax Rewards.