30 Restaurants Where Your Birthday Meal Is Free

Your birthday is a time to celebrate with gifts and food — perhaps even some free food from one of your favorite restaurants.

Check out these awesome rewards that help you celebrate your birthday and keep more cash in your wallet .

1. McDonald’s

Swing by the fast-food chain McDonald’s for some free birthday fries.

You can get free medium fries if you join MyMcDonald's Rewards. You must register and sign into the mobile app to be eligible for your freebie.

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2. Starbucks

Coffee chain Starbucks rewards its loyal customers with a complimentary beverage or food item on their birthday.

But you’ll need to be a Starbucks Rewards member for at least seven days, provide your birthday in your account information, and have purchased something during that time before you’re eligible for your free item.

3. Moe’s Southwest Grill

Get a free cup of queso from Moe’s Southwest Grill.

You will need to join Moe Rewards to qualify. But signing up qualifies you for the birthday freebie and other rewards.

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4. Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company offers several different birthday freebies to Noodles Rewards members. They will provide you with a treat corresponding to the number of points you’ve earned as a loyal customer.

Depending on your points earned, you can pick up a free dessert, small entrée, or regular entrée.

5. Panera

Cafe and bakery Panera rewards MyPanera members with a free pastry or sweet, including muffins, cookies, pastries, sweets, and bagels.

6. Auntie Anne’s

You don’t need to twist yourself up to get a free pretzel on your birthday. You just need to be an Auntie Anne's Rewards member to get your reward.

You might also want to consider joining the rewards program even if it isn’t your birthday, as new members also qualify for a free pretzel after your first $1 spent.

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7. Red Lobster

Head to Red Lobster for a delicious birthday treat when you join My Red Lobster Rewards and become a Gold or Platinum Member.

You also get 12 of the restaurant’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits for free when you sign up with your next $15 minimum-to-go order if you're a Gold or Platinum Member.

8. Red Robin

If you're a Red Robin Royalty rewards member, you can dig into a Red Robin burger for free on your birthday.

The restaurant chain gives you more leeway than other retailers by allowing you to claim your free burger anytime during your birthday month.

9. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

The Tropical Smoothie Cafe will set you up with a free birthday surprise when you join Tropic Rewards. You can also get free smoothies and earn points throughout the year.

10. Baskin-Robbins

Ice cream is a great treat on your birthday, so sign up on the Baskin-Robbins app to get your birthday reward.

The ice cream shop offers birthday visitors a free scoop of ice cream just for downloading the app and opting into the Birthday Club.

11. Boston Market

You can pick up a free treat for your birthday when you get a meal from Boston Market.

The restaurant does restrict its birthday rewards to shoppers who have been a part of its Rotisserie Rewards program for at least two weeks.

12. Margaritaville

Join the Fins Up Club at your local Margaritaville to enjoy deals and earn points. The club membership also includes a special offer when you celebrate your birthday there.

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13. California Pizza Kitchen

Enjoy the taste of California on your birthday without being in the Golden State by making a trip to California Pizza Kitchen.

The restaurant offers its CPK Rewards members a free dessert or free entre for their birthday, depending on how many points they've earned. You can also get a free starter when you register with the program.

14. Edible Arrangements

Sign up as an Edible Rewards member with Edible Arrangements to get a sweet deal on your birthday.

Rewards members are eligible for a free Chocolate Dipped Fruit Box on their birthday, including 12 pieces of fruit.

15. P.F. Chang’s

P.F. Chang’s rewards members can get a free dessert when they visit the restaurant on their birthday.

The restaurant chain features two reward options — a free Gold option and a paid, upgraded Platinum option. Members can choose a free birthday dessert or free appetizer with either.

16. The Cheesecake Factory

If you like cheesecake, you’ll enjoy a birthday at The Cheesecake Factory.

Sign up for the restaurant’s Cheesecake Rewards program for a free piece of cheesecake as a birthday treat.

17. Firehouse Subs

Grab some lunch or dinner on your birthday when you join the Firehouse Rewards program and head to Firehouse Subs.

On your birthday, you can get a free medium sub with any purchase. So, grab some chips and a drink to make it a meal.

18. Del Taco

Del Taco’s Del Yeah! The rewards program has different options for your birthday treat depending on how many points you’ve earned.

Check out your app to see if you qualify for a free regular-size shake or any shake or dessert of your choice, depending on how many points you have accumulated.

19. IHOP

IHOP is known for its pancakes, and you can get free pancakes on your birthday if you’re part of the International Bank of Pancakes rewards program.

20. Krispy Kreme

Cash in on your birthday when you sign up for the Krispy Kreme Rewards program.

Your birthday reward is valid for the entire month of your birthday, so you don’t have to rush to get your birthday treat.

21. Olive Garden

If you love eating at Olive Garden, sign up for the restaurant's eClub rewards program.

You can grab a free dessert on your birthday, and you can even ask the staff to sing for you.

22. Carvel

Carvel is well-known for its Fudgie the Whale ice cream cake, and you can get a birthday reward when you become a Fudgie Fanatic. Birthday celebrants get a free ice cream cone.

23. Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings is a great place to eat on any day of the year, but especially on your birthday.

Sign up for Blazin’ Rewards and get six free chicken wings. The offer is good during your entire birthday month, so this is another free option that you don’t have to use on a specific day.

24. Chipotle

Sign up for Chipotle Rewards and celebrate your birthday in style. The Mexican restaurant chain offers a birthday treat to reward members.

25. Einstein Bros. Bagels

Join the Einstein Bros. Bagels Shmear Society Rewards Program and earn a reward on your birthday.

Einstein Bros will send you a reward for a free egg sandwich with a purchase. The offer is good for 14 days.

26. Sprinkles

Cupcakes are the perfect little cake to enjoy for your birthday celebration. Sign up for the Sprinkles rewards program and earn free cupcakes for your birthday.

The number of free cupcakes you can get depends on how many points you’ve earned by the time your birthday rolls around.

27. Ruby Tuesday

Head to your local Ruby Tuesday with your Ruby Rewards membership and get a treat for your birthday.

You can get a free dessert or garden bar add on from seven days before your birthday until seven days after your birthday, giving you time to plan your Ruby Tuesday visit.

28. Chili’s

Stay cool at Chili’s with a free birthday treat when you join the My Chili’s Rewards program.

You can get a free dessert on your birthday as well as the free chips and salsa you receive every time you visit as a rewards member.

29. Caribou Coffee

Get some extra perks during your birthday week from Caribou Coffee.

The retailer gives you a free drink during the entire week of your birthday for you to enjoy as a Caribou Perks rewards member.

30. Papa John’s

Enjoy a treat from Papa John’s during your birthday when you sign up for Papa Rewards.

You can choose a free dessert at any point within 14 days of receiving the reward in your account.

Bottom line

Are you ready to celebrate your birthday — and to do so in a way that lets you get ahead financially ?

Freebies can be a great way to give yourself an extra gift. And signing up for these programs can also earn you other rewards throughout the year.

Money tips that can work for everyone

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