Birthday celebrations often involve special treats, and numerous companies across the United States offer complimentary items to mark the occasion. These offers typically require consumers to join a brand's newsletter or rewards program in advance. Based on available data, consumers can access a variety of freebies ranging from food and beverages to retail discounts by signing up for specific promotional programs.
Understanding Birthday Reward Programs
Most birthday freebies operate on a similar model: customers must register for a company's newsletter or loyalty program before their birthday to receive a coupon or reward. A common recommendation is to create a dedicated email address for these sign-ups to manage the influx of promotional emails. According to one source, consumers should sign up in advance to ensure they receive the offer in time for their birthday. The same source notes that many companies send coupons not only on birthdays but also on the anniversary of the sign-up date.
Food and Beverage Offers
A significant portion of birthday freebies comes from the restaurant and food industry. These offers vary by location and often require proof of identity or membership status.
Denny's
Denny's offers a free Breakfast Grand Slam to customers who visit on their birthday. This offer is valid for dine-in customers only and requires the presentation of a valid ID to prove the birth date.
New York Fries
The Fry Society Aficionado program at New York Fries provides subscribers with free regular fries on their birthday. Registration is required to join the email subscription list.
Starbucks
Starbucks Rewards members are eligible for a free drink or snack on their birthdays. Information regarding the program and sign-up is available on the Starbucks website.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
Red Robin offers a free burger during a member's birthday month to those who sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program. Members also receive a free item for every 10 meals purchased.
Boston Pizza
Members of the MyBP rewards program receive a free dessert on their birthday. Additionally, the program offers a two-topping individual pizza on the first MyBP anniversary and a free bandera bread upon initial sign-up.
Montana's BBQ & Bar
Montana's provides a free dessert to rewards program members on their birthdays. Members also receive a 10% discount on their meals.
Kelly O'Bryan's and Carlos O'Bryan's
These Irish-themed restaurants offer a birthday meal to patrons who bring at least one other person to the establishment on their birthday. A portion of the revenue from these meals is donated to local charities.
A&W
A&W offers a free small root beer float to customers who sign up for their program. The offer is valid in various states across the U.S., including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Acapulco
Acapulco offers a free entrée, up to a value of $15, to customers who sign up. This offer is available in California.
Chevys
Chevys provides a free entrée, up to $15, for customers who sign up. This offer is valid in California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Virginia.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A offers a free chocolate chunk cookie or chocolate fudge brownie to customers who sign up for their program. This offer is widely available across many states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick offers a free Chick Meal to customers who sign up. This offer is valid in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.
Champps Kitchen + Bar
Champps Kitchen + Bar offers $10 off any purchase of $20 or more to customers who sign up. This offer is available in California, Illinois, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.
Charleys Cheesesteaks
Charleys Cheesesteaks provides a free drink in any size, including real fruit lemonades, to customers who sign up. This offer is valid in a broad range of states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and others.
Abuelo's
Abuelo's offers special offers for birthdays to customers who sign up. This offer is available in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Retail and Other Non-Food Offers
In addition to food, some companies offer freebies or discounts in retail and entertainment categories.
Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware offers a $5 off coupon for any purchase over $5 to customers who sign up.
adidas
adidas provides a "Birthday offer" to customers who are at least level 2 in their rewards club. Sign-up is required.
Aerie
Aerie offers a $5 off coupon to customers who sign up.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema offers a free dessert, milkshake, or candy to customers who sign up. This offer is available in Arizona, California, and Colorado.
Champs Sports
Champs Sports offers an "FLX Surprise Birthday Gift" of 500 points to customers who sign up. This offer is available in a wide range of states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and others.
Chewy
Chewy offers 20% off select birthday items to customers who sign up.
Conclusion
To maximize birthday freebies, consumers should proactively sign up for rewards programs at their favorite restaurants and retailers well before their birthday month. Using a dedicated email address is recommended to manage communications. While many offers are available nationwide, some are region-specific, so consumers should verify availability in their area. Most freebies require the customer to be present at the location with proof of identity or membership status to redeem the offer.