Birthday celebrations often come with a variety of complimentary offers from brands seeking to reward customer loyalty. These promotions, typically accessed through email sign-ups or loyalty programs, provide free food, desserts, or retail items during a customer's birthday month. The following information details national birthday freebie programs available to U.S. consumers, based on publicly available promotional data.
Overview of Birthday Freebie Programs
Many restaurant chains and retail stores offer birthday rewards as part of their customer loyalty or email marketing programs. Participation generally requires signing up for a brand's eClub, rewards program, or email list prior to your birthday. Once enrolled, customers typically receive a coupon or digital offer valid during their birthday month. Promotions are subject to change, and terms may vary by location.
National Restaurant Birthday Freebies
Numerous national restaurant chains offer complimentary items for birthdays. The following offers have been reported as available through email club sign-ups or rewards programs.
Full-Service and Casual Dining Restaurants
- Applebees: Members of the Applebees E-Club can receive a free dessert on their birthday, valid when purchasing an entree.
- Benihana: New members of the Benihana Chef's Table receive a $30 birthday gift certificate. This certificate is valid Monday through Thursday during dinner hours only.
- Chili's: The My Chili's Rewards program offers a free dessert or non-alcoholic beverage as a birthday reward.
- Denny's: Denny's provides a free Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday when you join the Denny's Rewards program.
- Olive Garden: Signing up for the Olive Garden eClub entitles members to a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two adult entrees, plus a birthday offer.
- Outback Steakhouse: The Outback Steakhouse rewards program offers a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer upon sign-up, which is valid for three days after enrollment. Members also receive a free dessert on their birthday.
- Red Robin: The Red Robin Royalty rewards program provides a coupon loaded to a rewards card for a free burger to use during your birthday month. A physical rewards card is required and can be obtained at a restaurant or by mail after online registration.
- Ruby Tuesdays: Members of the So Connected E-Club receive a free handcrafted burger on their birthday.
- Texas Roadhouse: The Texas Roadhouse VIP Club offers a free appetizer or sidekick of ribs during your birthday month.
Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants
- Arby's: By signing up for Arby's emails, customers receive a coupon for a free Roast Beef Classic with the purchase of a drink, plus a special coupon on their birthday.
- Baja Fresh: Members of Club Baja receive a free taco upon sign-up and a free burrito on their birthday.
- Baskin Robbins: The Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Club sends a free ice cream email on your birthday and a special discount on a birthday cake.
- Cold Stone Creamery: Members of the Cold Stone Creamery eClub receive a Buy One Creation, Get One Creation FREE coupon for their birthday.
- Dairy Queen: Joining the Blizzard Fan Club provides an extra-special coupon on your birthday and a surprise on your anniversary. A free Blizzard is also offered upon joining.
- Del Taco: Members of the Raving Fan Eclub receive 2 Free Grilled Chicken Tacos upon sign-up and a Free Premium Shake on their birthday.
- Dunkin': Members of DD Perks receive a free beverage of any size on their birthday.
- Jamba Juice: Signing up for Jamba Juice emails provides a free birthday smoothie or juice.
- Krispy Kreme: Signing up for Krispy Kreme communications provides a free coffee and donut on your birthday.
- Panera Bread: Members of the My Panera E-Club receive a reward on their birthday.
- PF Chang's: Members of the PF Chang's Reward Club receive a coupon on their birthday for a free appetizer or dessert.
- Qdoba Mexican Grill: Members of the Qdoba rewards program receive a gift on their birthday.
- Quiznos: Members of the Q-Club receive a coupon for $2 off a regular or large sub upon sign-up and a coupon for a free cookie on their birthday.
- Starbucks: Members of Starbucks Rewards who register a Starbucks card receive a birthday drink or treat, along with a birthday coupon for 15% off a purchase at StarbucksStore.com.
- Subway: A rewards card is required to sign up for the Subway rewards program, which offers birthday rewards.
Specialty and Dessert Restaurants
- A&W Restaurant: Members of the Mug Club receive a free root beer float on their birthday.
- Auntie Anne's Pretzels: Signing up for Auntie Anne's emails provides a BOGO free pretzel for your birthday.
- Baskin Robbins: As noted above, offers a free ice cream email and birthday cake discount.
- Benihana: As noted above, offers a $30 birthday certificate.
- Cold Stone Creamery: As noted above, offers a BOGO coupon.
- Dairy Queen: As noted above, offers a birthday coupon.
- Dunkin': As noted above, offers a free beverage.
- Godfather's Pizza: Members of the eClub may receive an offer for a free mini pizza when purchasing breadsticks on their birthday.
- IHop: Members of the IHOP E-club receive a free meal on their birthday and a free meal on the one-year anniversary of signing up.
- Johnny Rockets: Members of the Rocket e-Club receive a coupon for a free hamburger with a purchase and also a free hamburger on their birthday.
- Krispy Kreme: As noted above, offers a free coffee and donut.
- Menchies: Members of the Smileage Club receive a free $5 order on their birthday.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes: Members receive a free bundtlet on their birthday.
- Orange Julius: Members of the OJ Quench Club receive a special offer upon joining and an email coupon on their birthday.
- Rainforest Cafe: Members receive a $25 Birthday Reward.
- Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery: Members of the Rock Bottom Mug Club receive a special gift on their birthday. A Mug Club card is required for registration.
- Starbucks: As noted above, offers a free drink or treat.
National Retail and Service Birthday Freebies
Several retail and service providers also offer birthday rewards, often through their loyalty or rewards programs.
Beauty and Personal Care
- Sephora: Members of the Beauty Insider program receive a free item from Sephora for their birthday.
- ULTA Beauty Store: Members of the Ulta Rewards program receive special offers throughout the year and on their birthday.
Clothing and General Merchandise
- Build-A-Bear Workshop: Members of the Stuff Fur Stuff Program earn points for purchases and receive a special offer on their birthday. Build-A-Bear also offers a Pay Your Age promotion, allowing a child to get a birthday bear for the cost of their age during their birthday month.
- Old Navy: Members of the Old Navy E-Club receive a free birthday surprise and a coupon for 20% off their purchase upon sign-up.
- The Container Store: Members of the POP! Star program receive surprise perks and a birthday gift.
Entertainment and Services
- Chuck E. Cheese: Members of the Chuck E. Cheese rewards program receive a free token package on their birthday.
- Regal Cinemas: Members of the Regal Unlimited Perks program receive a free large popcorn and soft drink on their birthday.
Important Considerations for Consumers
- Sign-Up Timing: Most programs require sign-up prior to your birthday to receive the offer. It is advisable to enroll well in advance.
- Verification: Many programs require age verification, often through a driver's license or other government-issued ID, at the time of redemption.
- Terms and Conditions: Offers are typically valid only during your birthday month and may require the purchase of another item (e.g., an entree). Some offers are limited to specific locations or may have been discontinued. Always check the current terms on the official brand website or app before visiting.
- Children's Offers: Some brands, like Applebees and Build-A-Bear Workshop, offer specific freebies for children, though sign-up processes may differ.
Conclusion
Birthday freebies provide a valuable way for consumers to enjoy complimentary food, desserts, and retail items from a wide array of national brands. By joining email clubs and rewards programs ahead of time, individuals can access these offers during their birthday month. While the promotions listed here are based on historical data, consumers should always verify current availability and terms directly with each brand, as offers are subject to change.