Birthday freebies are a popular way for brands to celebrate with consumers, offering everything from complimentary desserts and meals to beauty gifts and retail coupons. These offers are typically tied to loyalty programs, email newsletters, or app sign-ups, and often require enrollment in advance of your birthday. The following guide, based exclusively on information from provided source materials, details the types of birthday rewards available, the steps to claim them, and the eligibility requirements set by participating brands. The information is organized by category—food and drink, beauty, and clothing—for clarity.
Food and Drink Birthday Freebies
Many restaurants and food chains offer birthday rewards, often requiring sign-up for their loyalty program or email club. The following offers are explicitly mentioned in the source data, with details on signup requirements and redemption rules.
- 7-ELEVEN: A free Slurpee is available to customers during their birthday month. The source does not specify a signup requirement for this offer.
- AMC THEATRES: The type of reward depends on the membership tier. AMC Stubs Insider members receive a free large popcorn, while Stubs Premiere and A-List members receive a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink. These rewards are available during the birthday month and require membership.
- APPLEBEE'S: A free birthday dessert is offered with a minimum purchase of $15 or more. The source does not specify the signup method.
- ARBY'S: With the purchase of any sandwich, customers receive a free order of small curly fries and a small shake. The source does not specify the signup method.
- AUNTIE ANNE'S: Members who spend more than $10 a year through the Auntie Anne's Rewards App receive a free soft pretzel on their birthday. This requires enrollment in the app-based rewards program.
- BASKIN-ROBBINS: A free 2.5-ounce ice cream scoop is available to those who sign up for the Birthday Club.
- BERTUCCI'S: A free reward is provided to those registered for their e-club.
- BENIHANA: A $30 complimentary birthday gift certificate is given to those registered for The Chef's Table.
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS: Six free wings are available during the birthday month. The source does not specify the signup method.
- BURGER KING: Members earn 2X the reward points throughout their birthday month, which can be used toward free food and drink deals. This is part of their rewards program.
- CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: Rewards members receive a free birthday dessert. Diamond members also receive a free entrée.
- CARVEL: A free cone is given to those signed up for the Fudgie Fanatic loyalty program.
- DUTCH BROS. COFFEE: A free medium birthday drink is available after downloading the app.
- EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS: Edible Rewards members who join the birthday club receive a free Dipped Fruit box (six pieces of chocolate-dipped fruit).
- FRIENDLY'S: A free medium sundae is offered to members of the FRIENDLY'S Sweet Rewards Club.
- IHOP: A free full stack of Original Buttermilk pancakes is available on your birthday. The source does not specify the signup method.
- JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS: A free regular sub and a 16-ounce soft drink are available to those signed up for the Jersey Mike's email club.
- JOHNNY ROCKETS: A free burger with the purchase of any entrée and a drink or shake is offered when you join the Rocket e-Club. The source notes this is not specifically a birthday offer.
- KRISPY KREME: A free donut is available during the birthday month for those who sign up for Krispy Kreme Rewards. This is in addition to the free donut offered with a purchase.
- MCDONALD'S: A free medium fries is available through the My McDonald's app.
- OLIVE GARDEN: A complimentary dessert is offered when dining in-house. The source does not specify a signup requirement.
- OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE: A free dessert and birthday song are provided on your special day. The source does not specify a signup requirement.
- PANERA BREAD: A free pastry or sweet is available on or up to seven days after your birthday. The source does not specify the signup method.
- PAPA JOHN'S: A free dessert is available anytime during the birthday month. The source does not specify the signup method.
- PERKINS: Reward members are eligible for a specialty birthday gift.
- TACO BELL: A free meal is available on your birthday, provided you have made at least one purchase within the last year.
- TCBY: A free small fro-yo is available to those registered to receive rewards.
- TGI FRIDAYS: A free birthday treat is available through the rewards program.
- THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY: A complimentary slice of cheesecake is offered. The source does not specify the signup method.
- TIM HORTONS: Rewards members get a free item on their birthday.
- WAFFLE HOUSE: Members of the Regulars Club get a free order of hashbrowns upon signup and a free birthday waffle.
- ZAXBY'S: Three free cookies are available through the app, either via in-app ordering or with a QR code scanned in-store.
Beauty Birthday Freebies
Beauty brands frequently reward loyalty program members with birthday gifts, which may require an additional purchase or have specific tier requirements.
- ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS: Members of the ABH loyalty programs receive a birthday month gift in addition to other exclusive offers.
- ARMANI BEAUTY: Members of the Armani Signature VIP Program receive a special birthday reward or gift, depending on their tier.
- AVEDA: Members earn a birthday gift and double points on purchases during their birthday month.
- BATH AND BODY WORKS: A free gift of choice (with a value up to $9.95) is offered with any purchase.
- BAREMINERALS: Rewards members are only eligible for a free birthday gift if they make an additional purchase online anytime throughout their birthday month.
- BOBBI BROWN: A birthday gift of $10 off a $30 or more order is offered, scaling up to $50 off a $51 order or more, depending on the rewards tier.
- CHARLOTTE TILBURY: Members of the loyalty program receive a one-time code to redeem a birth gift.
- SMASHBOX: A free birthday gift is available during the birthday month for all rewards member levels.
- SOL DE JANEIRO: A free birthday gift is available to members who spend $75 per year.
- TARTE: Free birthday gifts are offered at any tier level.
- THE BODY SHOP: A $10 Birthday Reward, valid for the birthday month, is available to members of the Love Your Body Club.
- ULTA: Ulta Rewards members can choose a free gift from a selection during their birthday month. To be eligible, the birthday must be in the profile by the 8th of the birthday month.
- URBAN DECAY: Members of any UD Rewards tier receive a free birthday gift.
- YSL BEAUTY: A birthday gift is available to members of the YSL loyalty club.
Clothing and Retail Birthday Freebies
Retail brands offer birthday rewards primarily as coupons or discounts, often through their loyalty or rewards programs.
- AERIE: A $5 birthday reward is available.
- AMERICAN EAGLE: A $5 birthday reward is available.
- ATHLETA: Loyalty members of any tier receive a free "birthday bonus."
- BANANA REPUBLIC: A free gift is available through the reward program.
- DSW: Up to $10 off the next purchase is offered.
- GYMBOREE: My Place Rewards members receive a 20% coupon during their child's birthday month. My Place Rewards Credit Cardholders receive a 25% off coupon.
General Eligibility and Redemption Rules
The source data outlines several common requirements and conditions for claiming birthday freebies.
- Signup Requirement: Most offers require prior enrollment in a brand's loyalty program, email club, or app. It is recommended to sign up well before your birthday, as many programs send offers via email.
- Purchase Requirements: Some offers are conditional on a purchase. For example, Applebee's requires a $15 minimum purchase for a free dessert, and Bareminerals requires an additional purchase for its birthday gift. Others, like 7-Eleven's Slurpee or AMC's popcorn, do not require a purchase.
- Membership Tiers: The value or type of reward can depend on loyalty program status. Examples include AMC Theatres, Armani Beauty, Bobbi Brown, and California Pizza Kitchen.
- Redemption Window: Rewards are often valid only during the birthday month. Some, like Panera Bread's pastry, are valid for a week after the birthday, and others, like Papa John's dessert, are valid anytime during the month.
- Geographic Restrictions: Participation can vary by location. The source notes that "all offers are subject to location participation," and some brands are listed with specific state availability.
- Proof of Birthday: Brands typically require the birthday to be entered in a customer profile by a specific date (e.g., Ulta's 8th of the month) to qualify for the reward.
Conclusion
Birthday freebies are a widespread marketing strategy across the food, beauty, and retail industries in the United States. Consumers can access these rewards by proactively joining loyalty programs and email lists for their favorite brands. The offers range from no-purchase-required items like free Slurpees or popcorn to rewards that require a minimum spend or a previous purchase. Eligibility often depends on membership tier, signup timing, and geographic location. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consumers should always verify the terms and conditions directly on the brand's official website or app, as participation and details can change.