Birthday celebrations in the United States often extend beyond personal gatherings, with numerous brands and retailers offering complimentary gifts, discounts, and special treats to members of their loyalty programs. These birthday freebies can range from free meals and desserts at restaurants to beauty products and retail discounts. Accessing these offers typically requires signing up for a brand’s rewards program, providing a birth date, and sometimes meeting specific eligibility criteria like making a prior purchase or accruing points. The following information details a variety of birthday freebies available across food, beverage, beauty, retail, and entertainment categories, based on publicly available promotional details.
Food and Beverage Birthday Freebies
Many national restaurant chains and food brands offer birthday rewards to members of their loyalty programs. These freebies often require enrollment in the program, with some necessitating a prior purchase or a minimum point balance to qualify for the birthday gift.
Major Restaurant Chains
- 7-ELEVEN: Rewards members can receive a free Slurpee anytime during their birthday month.
- AMC THEATRES: AMC Stubs Insider members get a free large popcorn during their birthday month. Stubs Premiere and A-List members receive a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink.
- APPLEBEE’S: A free birthday dessert is available with a minimum purchase of $15 or more.
- ARBY’S: With the purchase of any sandwich, members receive a free order of small curly fries and a small shake.
- 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.
- BASKIN-ROBBINS: Signing up for the Birthday Club earns a free 2.5-ounce ice cream scoop.
- BERTUCCI’S: Registered members of their e-club receive a free birthday reward.
- BENIHANA: Members registered for The Chef's Table get a $30 complimentary birthday gift certificate.
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS: Rewards members receive six free wings during their birthday month.
- BURGER KING: Rewards members earn 2X reward points throughout their birthday month, which can be redeemed for free food and drink deals.
- CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: All rewards members enjoy a free birthday dessert. Diamond members also receive a free entree.
- CARVEL: Members of the Fudgie Fanatic loyalty program receive a free cone on their birthday.
- CHIPOTLE: Depending on the tier in their rewards program, members receive a different birthday treat. The birthday freebie reward is added to the Noodle Rewards account on the actual birthday.
- DENNY’S: Members of their reward program receive a free birthday gift each year.
- EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS: Members can receive a free 12-count chocolate-dipped fruit box during their birthday month. Birth date information must be input at least twenty-four hours prior to the 1st day of the birth month. A purchase of at least $29.99 (or $30.00 CAD) is required within the calendar year of the birthday, excluding discounts, delivery charges, and tax.
- EINSTEIN BAGELS: Members of the Shmear Rewards program receive a free egg sandwich on their birthday with a separate purchase. A free bagel with schmear is also available after signing up.
- IHOP: Members of the Bank of Pancakes Reward Program get free pancakes on their birthday.
- JAMBA JUICE: Members of the reward program can get a free smoothie upon signing up, provided they have accrued a minimum of 15 points.
- JERSEY MIKE’S: Members receive a free sub every year upon signing up for the rewards program. Free subs can also be earned by purchasing subs and earning Shore Points® throughout the year.
- KRISPY KREME: Members of the Krispy Kreme rewards program receive a free doughnut when they sign up and for their birthday.
- MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL: Members of the rewards program receive a birthday treat, which may include free queso or guac.
- OLIVE GARDEN: Members of the eClub receive a free birthday dessert when they dine in.
- P.F. CHANG’S: Members of the free Gold Rewards program receive a complimentary dessert on their birthday.
- PANERA: MyPanera members receive a free birthday goodie.
- RED LOBSTER: Members of the rewards program receive a Red Lobster birthday freebie chosen at random.
- RUBY TUESDAY: Members of Ruby Rewards receive a free dessert or an add-on Garden Bar within 7 days of their birthday.
- TACO BELL: Rewards members get a free meal on their birthday, provided they have made at least one purchase within the last year.
- TCBY: Members registered to receive rewards enjoy a free small fro-yo on their birthday.
- TGI FRIDAYS: Members of the Fridays Rewards program score a free birthday treat.
- THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY: Members receive a complimentary slice of cheesecake from the menu.
- TIM HORTONS: Rewards members get a free item on their birthday.
- WAFFLE HOUSE: Members of the Regulars Club get a free birthday waffle.
- WINGSTOP: Members of The Club receive a freebie on their birthday, though the specific item is not detailed.
- ZAXBY’S: Members receive three free cookies through the app, available via in-app ordering or a QR code for in-store scanning.
Bakery and Dessert Brands
- BASKIN-ROBBINS: Members of the Birthday Club get a free, 2.5-oz. scoop of ice cream.
- KRISPY KREME: Rewards members receive a free doughnut on their birthday.
Kid-Focused Birthday Freebies
Several brands offer special freebies for children’s birthdays, which can be accessed by joining the brand’s birthday club.
- CHUCK E. CHEESE: Members of the Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Club can receive a free birthday treat.
- MEDIEVAL TIMES: Members of the Birthday Club can sign up their child to receive a “surprise” gift, which in the past has included a free ticket to the dinner and tournament experience.
- THE CHILDREN’S PLACE: Members of the Birthday Club receive 20% off a purchase to celebrate a child’s birthday. This program also allows members to earn 1 point for every $1 spent, with 100 points adding up to a $5 reward.
Beauty and Personal Care Birthday Freebies
Beauty retailers and brands often provide birthday gifts to members of their loyalty programs. These gifts typically require enrollment in the program, and some may require an additional purchase during the birthday month.
- 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 with each purchase during their birthday month.
- BATH AND BODY WORKS: Members get a free gift of their choice (with a value up to $9.95) with any purchase.
- BAREMINERALS: Rewards members are eligible for a free birthday gift only if they make an additional purchase online during their birthday month.
- BOBBI BROWN: Members enjoy a birthday gift of $10 off a $30 or more order, up to $50 off a $51 order.
- SEPHORA: Members of the basic Beauty Insider rewards program can choose between several different birthday gift options.
- ULTA: Members of the Ultamate Rewards Program receive a free gift and earn 2X points during their birthday month.
Retail and Entertainment Birthday Freebies
Beyond food and beauty, various retail stores and entertainment venues offer birthday incentives for loyalty program members.
Retail Stores
- DSW: Members of the VIP program receive $5 off a pair of shoes during their birthday month.
- KOHLS: Members of the Yes2You Rewards Program receive a free surprise gift or discount from Kohl’s on their birthday. A purchase is required before the birthday month to receive the gift.
- MACY’S: Members of the Macy’s Star Rewards program receive a free birthday surprise every year. Those with a Macy’s store card can also earn cash back on purchases.
- ULTA: Members of the Ultamate Rewards Program receive a free gift and earn 2X points during their birthday month.
Entertainment and Other Venues
- REDBOX: Members receive a code for $2 off a rental at a kiosk or On Demand.
- ZOOS: Many zoos offer free admission for birthdays. Consumers are encouraged to check with their local zoo for specific offers.
- AQUARIUMS: Several aquariums nationwide provide free access on birthdays. For example, Georgia residents can receive complimentary admission to the Georgia Aquarium on their birthday.
Conclusion
Birthday freebies provide an opportunity for U.S. consumers to enjoy complimentary products, meals, and experiences from a wide range of brands. Access to these offers generally requires enrollment in the brand’s loyalty or rewards program, with some offers contingent on prior purchases or minimum point balances. Consumers interested in maximizing these benefits should sign up for relevant programs well in advance of their birthday and review each program’s specific terms and conditions, as eligibility rules and offer details can vary. By leveraging these rewards, individuals can celebrate their birthdays with additional perks from favorite restaurants, retailers, and entertainment venues.