In the United States, numerous brands and companies offer free products, discounts, and special experiences to consumers on their birthdays. These promotions are typically structured as part of customer loyalty programs, email clubs, or rewards memberships. Access to these offers generally requires signing up for the program, often providing an email address and sometimes a birth date, well in advance of the birthday. The specific freebies can range from food and beverages to retail coupons and entertainment experiences. This article details the various birthday freebies available in 2019, based on information from promotional websites and brand announcements.
Restaurant and Food Freebies
Many restaurant chains provide complimentary food items to customers on their birthdays, often as an incentive to join their loyalty programs. These offers vary significantly in terms of what is provided and any conditions that must be met.
Full-Service Restaurants
- Abuelo’s: Members of the Mi Abuelo’s rewards program can receive a free entrée for their birthday. However, a specific condition applies: the customer must visit the restaurant twice before their birthday month to qualify.
- Ben & Jerry’s: The Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Fanatics ice cream rewards program offers a “cone-gratulations surprise” on a member’s birthday, which typically includes a free ice cream cone.
- California Pizza Kitchen (CPK): By joining the CPK rewards program, members receive a free dessert on their birthday. The program also offers other benefits, such as earning points on purchases.
- Houlihan’s: Houlihan’s provides a free entrée to members on their birthday. Additionally, members receive a $10 discount on their first purchase for joining the program.
- Longhorn Steakhouse: This restaurant offers a free meal on a customer’s birthday.
- Marie Callender’s: Birthday members receive a free slice of pie and a $5 discount on their check.
- Medieval Times: During the birthday month, customers can receive free admission.
- Mimi’s Cafe: Members are offered a free birthday cake.
- Olive Garden: A free appetizer or dessert is available on a customer’s birthday.
- P.F. Chang’s: Members of the rewards program receive a free slice of cheesecake on their birthday.
- Red Robin: Members get a free birthday burger.
- Ruby Tuesday: Similar to Red Robin, Ruby Tuesday offers a free birthday burger.
- Zoe’s Kitchen: Enrolling in the Zoe’s Kitchen rewards program provides a free birthday meal.
Quick-Service and Casual Dining
- A&W: Members receive a free small root beer float on their birthday.
- Acapulco: This restaurant offers a free entrée, with a value up to $15, on a customer’s birthday.
- Arby’s: A free milkshake is offered on a customer’s birthday, though availability may vary by location.
- Baja Fresh: Joining the Baja Fresh club provides a free burrito on a customer’s birthday. A free taco is also given for signing up.
- Bojangles: Members of the Bojangles club receive a free Bo-Berry biscuit on their birthday.
- Bruegger’s Bagels: Members of the Bruegger’s Bagels inner circle get a free bagel on their birthday.
- California Pizza Kitchen: A free dessert is provided on a customer’s birthday.
- Chuck E. Cheese: While not a direct free item, customers can receive 100 free tickets with a food purchase, which can be used for a birthday visit.
- Crumbl Cookies: Members of the Crumbl rewards program receive a free cookie on their birthday.
- Friendly’s: Members receive a $3 off ice cream cake coupon for their birthday, along with discounts on other ice cream cartons.
- Fuddrucker’s: A free ⅓ lb. burger is offered when a customer purchases another burger.
- Gold Star Chili: A free meal is provided on a customer’s birthday, along with other BOGO specials throughout the year.
- Hometown Buffet: Through the Crave Connection program, members can get a BOGO adult buffet at brands like Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet, Old Country Buffet, and Ryan’s.
- IHOP: Members of the IHOP email club receive a free meal on their birthday, on their sign-up date, and on each anniversary of joining the program.
- Jack In The Box: The birthday freebie consists of two free tacos, unlocked after providing an email address or phone number.
- Jamba Juice: A free juice or smoothie is offered on a customer’s birthday.
- Jason’s Deli: Members of the Jason’s Deli birthday club receive a $5 coupon.
- Longhorn Steakhouse: A free meal is provided on a customer’s birthday.
- Macaroni Grill: A free dessert is offered on a customer’s birthday.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes: A free mini bundt cake is provided.
- On the Border: A special birthday offer is given, and free Queso is provided for signing up.
- Panda Express: An exclusive offer is provided on a customer’s birthday.
- Panera: Members of the MyPanera program receive a free pastry, cookie, or muffin on their birthday.
- P.F. Chang’s: A free slice of cheesecake is offered.
- Pick Up Stix: A free order of wontons is provided with the app.
- Pinkberry: By signing up for a Pinkcard (card or app), customers receive a free small yogurt on their birthday.
- Pita Pit: A free pita is offered on a customer’s birthday.
- Qdoba: A special birthday gift is provided.
- Red Robin: A free birthday burger is available.
- Ruby Tuesday: A free birthday burger is available.
- Sbarro: Free pizza is offered on a customer’s birthday.
- TGI Friday’s: A free dessert is provided on a customer’s birthday.
- Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Members of the Uno’s Insider Club receive a free dessert on their birthday.
- Waffle House: Members of the Waffle House Regulars Club get a free waffle on their birthday. Members must stay on the mailing list to claim the offer.
- Wienerschnitzel: Members of the Wiener Lover’s Club receive a free coupon for their birthday.
- Wingstop: Members get a free order of fries on their birthday.
- Zaxby’s: Members of the Zax Mail Club receive a free nibbler or meal deal on their birthday. A free sandwich meal is also available at sign-up.
- Zaxby’s: Members of the Zax Mail Club receive a free nibbler or meal deal on their birthday. A free sandwich meal is also available at sign-up.
Bakeries and Desserts
- Bertucci’s: Members of Bertucci’s eClub receive a “special gift” for their birthday and anniversary.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes: A free mini bundt cake is offered.
- Panera: A free pastry, cookie, or muffin is available.
- P.F. Chang’s: A free slice of cheesecake is offered.
- Pinkberry: A free small yogurt is available.
- TGI Friday’s: A free dessert is provided.
- Uno Pizzeria & Grill: A free dessert is provided.
Retail and Apparel Offers
Retail brands often provide birthday discounts or coupons to reward customer loyalty. These typically require joining the brand’s rewards or newsletter program.
- Aerie: A $5 off coupon is offered.
- adidas: A “Birthday offer” is available for customers at least at level 2 in their rewards club.
- Ace Hardware: A $5 off coupon for any purchase over $5 is provided.
- Old Navy: A fun surprise is offered when customers sign up for the newsletter. Details are sent via email after sign-up.
- NYX Professional: A $5 discount on anything during the birthday month is provided, which can be used for travel-size freebies.
Entertainment and Experiences
Some companies offer free experiences or entertainment items for birthdays.
- AMC Theaters: Members of the AMC Stubs program can receive free popcorn when they purchase a movie ticket during their birthday month. This offer is also available to non-birthday members as a general promotion.
- AMF Bowling: A birthday coupon is sent to help customers and their families get a free game.
- Baltimore Orioles Home Games: For children under nine, a free home game ticket is available when an adult purchases an upper deck seat. This offer is valid during the entire season.
- Medieval Times: Free admission is provided during the birthday month.
- RedBox: Members of the RedBox Play Pass program receive a free movie rental on their birthday.
General Terms and Conditions
While specific details vary by brand, several common patterns emerge from the available information:
- Sign-Up Requirement: Nearly all freebies require joining a program, such as an email club, rewards program, or newsletter. This often requires providing an email address and sometimes a phone number or birth date.
- Timing: Many offers are only valid on the actual birthday, while others are valid during the entire birthday month. Some, like Abuelo’s, require pre-qualification visits.
- Geographic Restrictions: Some offers are location-specific. For example, the Baltimore Orioles free ticket offer is only available in the Baltimore area. Restaurant offers are typically only valid at participating locations, which may not be nationwide.
- Proof of Birthday: While not explicitly detailed in all sources, brands may require proof of birth date (e.g., driver’s license) at the time of redemption, especially for in-person offers.
- Combination with Other Offers: Most birthday freebies cannot be combined with other promotions, discounts, or coupons. This is a common policy but should be verified with the specific brand’s terms.
Conclusion
The landscape of birthday freebies in 2019 was extensive, covering a wide array of industries from food and beverage to retail and entertainment. The primary mechanism for accessing these offers was through enrollment in brand-specific loyalty programs, which typically required an email address. Consumers interested in maximizing these benefits should sign up for their favorite brands’ programs well in advance of their birthday. It is also crucial to review the specific terms and conditions for each offer, as they can include restrictions such as geographic limitations, required pre-qualification visits, or specific redemption windows. The information presented here is based on promotional data from 2019, and current offers may differ significantly.