McDonald's offers birthday rewards through its My McDonald's Rewards program, providing members with free items such as medium fries and, in some locations, additional choices like a cheeseburger or McChicken. Participation in the program requires downloading the mobile app and being at least 18 years old to redeem the offer. The availability of specific bonus items may vary by participating restaurant. This benefit is part of a broader trend among national restaurant chains to reward loyalty program members with complimentary food and drinks on their birthdays.
Many brands structure their birthday offerings through free-to-join rewards programs. For example, Starbucks Rewards members can select a free handcrafted beverage, food item, or ready-to-drink bottled beverage on their birthday. Panera Bread provides MyPanera Rewards members with a coupon redeemable for a free pastry or sweet, which is valid the week of their birthday and covers items such as muffins, cookies, bagels, and other sweets. Red Robin's Royalty program grants members a free burger during their birthday month, or a free kids' meal for children celebrating their birthdays.
Several other chains offer tiered or specific birthday rewards. Chick-fil-A One members receive different benefits based on their membership level: One Members get a cookie or brownie, Silver Members receive a choice of desserts, Red Members can choose a sandwich or nuggets, and Signature Members are eligible for a free entrée. These rewards are generally valid for 30 days after sign-up. Chipotle Rewards members are eligible for free guacamole on their birthday, while Jimmy John's Rewards members receive a birthday surprise, which is identified as a sandwich. Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub members get a free "Bundtlet," an individually sized bundt cake, on their birthday.
Some offers are valid not just on the specific birthday date but during the entire birth month. AMC Theaters offers free popcorn to AMC Stubs rewards program members during their birthday month. Bath & Body Works provides a free gift to My Bath & Body Works Rewards members during their birth month. Buffalo Wild Wings members of the Blazin' Rewards program can get free wings during their birth month. P.F. Chang's Gold Rewards members can receive a complimentary dessert or appetizer during their birthday month.
Other notable birthday freebies include: * Dutch Bros. Coffee: A free medium birthday drink available via the app. * Edible Arrangements: A free 6-count chocolate-dipped fruit box for Edible Rewards members. * Friendly's: A free medium sundae for members of the Friendly's Sweet Rewards Club. * IHOP: A free full stack of Original Buttermilk pancakes for rewards program members. * Jersey Mike's Subs: A free regular sub and 16-ounce soft drink for email club members. * Krispy Kreme: A free donut during the birthday month for rewards members. * Olive Garden: A complimentary dessert when dining in-house. * Outback Steakhouse: A free dessert and birthday song for in-house diners. * Papa John's: A free dessert during the birthday month for rewards members. * Perkins: A specialty birthday gift for reward members.
Some brands require specific actions to claim the birthday reward. For example, McDonald's users must navigate to the "Rewards & Deals" section of the app to claim their free fries. For those who prefer not to join app-based programs, some brands offer alternatives. Margaritaville offers a free scoop of ice cream with toppings simply for showing up on one's birthday. McDonald's also offers a free Happy Meal for children on their birthdays if a parent signs up for the email newsletter, though this requires the child to be present to qualify.
Certain programs offer incentives beyond the birthday reward itself. For instance, Dunkin' Rewards members can earn three times the points on purchases made the day before, the day of, and the day after their birthday, which can be redeemed for free drinks and food. Longhorn Steakhouse offers a free appetizer upon sign-up and a free dessert on the birthday. Moe's Southwestern Grill offers a free burrito via the mobile app and free nachos just for joining the loyalty program. Morton's Steakhouse, part of the Landry's Select Club, provides a free dessert and a $25 reward card on the birthday. Cinnabon offers a free 16-ounce Cold Brew on the birthday for rewards program members. Cold Stone Creamery offers a "buy one, get one free" deal on ice cream creations on the birthday. Crumbl gives a free cookie to rewards program members on their birthday.
The process for redeeming these offers typically involves joining the brand's specific rewards program, which is generally free. For app-based programs like McDonald's, the reward is usually delivered digitally within the app. For others, a coupon may be sent via email or presented upon request at the point of sale. Some offers, such as those from Panera Bread, have a specific redemption window (the week of the birthday), while others, like Chick-fil-A's, are valid for a longer period (30 days). It is always recommended to check the specific terms and conditions within each program's sign-up materials or app.