Birthday celebrations in the United States are frequently marked by special offers from restaurants, many of which are available through loyalty programs, email clubs, or mobile app sign-ups. These promotions typically provide complimentary food items, desserts, or discounts, with eligibility often tied to joining a brand’s rewards program prior to the birthday month or day. The following guide details specific restaurant freebies and the steps required to claim them, based on information available from promotional resources. It is important to note that offer availability, participation, and redemption rules can vary by location and are subject to change.
Many restaurants structure their birthday freebies as part of broader loyalty or email club programs. Common requirements include signing up for the program in advance—often a month or more before the birthday—and providing an email address. Some offers are valid only during the birthday month, while others are for the specific birthday day. Certain promotions may require a purchase or are limited to specific items, such as desserts or appetizers. The following sections list various restaurants and their associated birthday offers, along with the necessary steps to access them.
Restaurant Birthday Freebies and Sign-Up Requirements
The following list details restaurant birthday freebies and the programs associated with them. Information is based on the provided sources, which note that offers, prices, savings, and local participation may vary.
Dessert and Sweet Treat Offers
Many restaurants offer a complimentary dessert or sweet treat as a birthday gift. These are often accessible by joining the brand’s rewards program or email club.
- 16 Handles: By signing up for 16 Handles Rewards, a $5 reward is issued to celebrate a birthday.
- 99 Restaurant & Pub: A free birthday dessert is available to those who sign up for 99 Restaurant & Pub Rewards.
- Andy's Frozen Custard: Members of the FANdys loyalty program receive a free birthday cone.
- Applebee’s: Club Applebee's members can get a free dessert for their birthday. The offer may require the purchase of an entree.
- Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings: Joining Anthony's Coal Fired Rewards allows for a free 12-inch traditional pizza on a birthday.
- Baskin Robbins: Members of the Baskin Robbins Birthday Club receive a free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream on their birthday. The club is also for kids.
- Bennigan's: A BOGO entree and a free brownie ice cream dessert coupon are provided on a birthday for those who sign up.
- Chili's: Signing up for Chili's rewards provides a free dessert on a birthday. Members also receive exclusive offers and a free order of Skillet Queso & Chips upon signing up.
- Cinnabon: A free Minibon is given for signing up, and a free Iced Coffee is provided for a birthday.
- Cold Stone Creamery: A coupon for a Buy One, Get One Creation is emailed for a birthday.
- Friendly's: Promotions include $3 off ice cream cakes for a birthday.
- Logan's Roadhouse: Members of Logan's Rewards enjoy a free birthday dessert each year.
- Maggiano’s: Joining Maggiano’s Little Italy eClub provides a complimentary dessert on a birthday.
- Marie Callender’s: Signing up for Marie Callender's eClub results in a birthday offer via email.
- Red Robin: Members of the Red Robin eClub receive a free burger on their birthday.
- Rita's: Members of Rita's Birthday Club get a free birthday treat.
- Ruby Tuesday: Joining Ruby Tuesday's email club provides a free dessert offer on a birthday.
- Shoney's: A free Hot Fudge Cake is offered on a birthday.
- Smokey Bones: Those on the Smokey Bones Club email list will receive a coupon for a free bag of donuts on their birthday.
Entree and Meal Offers
Some restaurants offer a full meal or entree as a birthday freebie, often with specific terms.
- Acapulco Restaurant & Cantina: A complimentary entree is available during the birthday month when joining Xperience Rewards.
- Applebee's: A free birthday dessert is available with the purchase of any entree.
- Arby's: A free small shake is provided with any sandwich purchase.
- Bennigan's: A BOGO entree coupon is part of the birthday offer.
- Bonefish Grill: A free birthday gift is offered on a birthday.
- Boston Market: Members of the VIP Club get a free dessert or regular side, with no purchase necessary.
- Burger Monger: A free 6 oz burger, valued at $7.58, is provided.
- California Pizza Kitchen: The CPKids Birthday Club offers a free CPKids meal during the birthday month for children age 12 or under.
- Captain D's: A free meal for adults is available on a birthday.
- Fred's Market (local to Tampa, FL): A free Southern cooked dinner buffet is available after 5 PM on a birthday.
- Houlihan's: A free entree is provided on a birthday when signing up with Houlihan's Email Club.
- IHOP: Joining the IHOP email club provides a free breakfast on a birthday.
- Jersey Mike's Subs: Members of Jersey Mike's Email Club receive a free regular sub and fountain drink coupon on a birthday.
- Pizza Pizza: Kids get a free slice and drink on their birthday day if signed up a month in advance to the Kids Club.
Specialty and Other Offers
Additional restaurants provide unique birthday gifts, such as gift credits, pretzels, or beverages.
- A&W: A free Root Beer Float is available.
- Auntie Anne's: A free pretzel is given on a birthday with the mobile app.
- Burger King: A free kid's meal is available for kids on their birthday.
- Cody's Roadhouse: Members of Cody's E-club receive $10 off 2 entrees on their birthday anniversary, plus a chocolate house slide dessert.
- Godiva: A $10 birthday gift credit is provided.
- Golden Corral: A BOGO buffet coupon is offered.
- Honey Baked Ham: A BOGO Ham Sandwich is available.
- Kobe Japanese Steakhouse: Members of Kobe's Frequent Diner Rewards program receive a special birthday discount ($25 off Sun-Thurs or $15 off Fri-Sat with the purchase of another full-priced entree) and a free cupcake to use within the entire birth month. Must join before the birthday month.
- Krispy Kreme: A free donut and coffee are provided on a birthday via the Krispy Kreme app.
- Ledo Pizza: Members of My Ledo Rewards receive a special gift on their birthday.
- Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken: Rewards members get a free dessert for their birthday, valid for 14 days.
- Long John Silver's: Members of the Seacret Society Rewards program receive six hushpuppies.
- Longhorn Steakhouse: Members of the Longhorn eClub get a special offer for their birthday.
- Macaroni Grill: A free birthday reward is provided when signing up for Macaroni Grill Rewards.
- Marco's Pizza: Loyalty members receive a coupon for a free small 1-topping pizza, valid for 30 days.
- McAlister’s Deli: Members of McAlister’s Rewards get a birthday treat.
- McDonald's: MyMcDonald's Rewards members receive a free birthday treat.
- Planet Smoothie: Members of the Planet Smoothie eClub get a free small smoothie on their birthday.
- Ponderosa Steakhouse: Members of the Ponderosa eClub receive a special birthday offer and other discounts.
- Pretzelmaker: Members of Pretzelmaker's Mailing List receive a surprise birthday gift and deals via email.
- Texas Roadhouse: A free entree is provided once a year on a birthday for those in the rewards program.
General Sign-Up Tips and Considerations
Based on the source information, several general practices are recommended for accessing birthday freebies:
- Sign-up Timing: Many programs require membership prior to the birthday month or at least a full month in advance. For example, Pizza Pizza requires kids to be signed up a month before their birthday, and Chick-fil-A requires the app to be downloaded for at least a full month in advance to receive a free dessert.
- Email Management: The source suggests setting up a coupon-only email address to sign up for freebies and mailing lists to avoid being inundated with emails.
- Family Participation: It is recommended to sign up all family members to take advantage of birthday freebies.
- Offer Variability: The sources note that offers, prices, savings, and local participation may vary. It is advisable to check with local restaurant locations for current participation and redemption details.
- App Requirements: Some offers, such as those from Chick-fil-A and Krispy Kreme, require downloading and using the restaurant's mobile app.
- Purchase Requirements: Some freebies are conditional on a purchase, such as Applebee's free dessert with an entree purchase or Arby's free shake with a sandwich purchase.
- Geographic Limitations: Certain offers, like the free buffet from Fred's Market, are local to specific areas (Tampa, FL).
Conclusion
Restaurant birthday freebies are a popular way for brands to engage with customers and celebrate special occasions. These offers are typically accessed by joining a restaurant's loyalty program, email club, or mobile app, often with advance sign-up requirements. The freebies range from desserts and sweet treats to full entrees, beverages, and gift cards. While the specific offer and redemption rules vary by restaurant, the common thread is the need to join the brand's promotional program. Consumers interested in these freebies should monitor sign-up requirements, manage email subscriptions, and verify local participation to maximize their benefits. It is important to note that all offers are subject to change and may have specific terms, conditions, and geographic restrictions.