35 Restaurants That Will Give You Free Food On Your Birthday

Everyone loves to get something free for their birthday. But free food? That trumps nearly any gift. Many people go to restaurants to celebrate their birthday and many places offer free items (and probably an embarrassing song) to help you celebrate. From fast food to fine dining establishments, this list looks at 35 places that are worth eating at on your birthday.

There was once a time when all you had to do was tell your server that it was your birthday and you'd get a treat and song. Those days are long over, as many locations require you to sign up for loyalty programs now. Yes, you get a free item on your birthday, but it comes at the cost of potentially opening your inbox up to endless marketing communications. Still, getting yourself a special treat on your special day is a great way to celebrate and these places all offer something just for you.

Applebee's is a favorite chain restaurant for many and birthday desserts are on the house. In order to get a free dessert you have to sign up for the rewards program, Club Applebee's. You can do that either on the company website with your valid email address or through the app. 

You can order any of the four available desserts from the menu, including Cinnabon mini swirls, sugar-dusted donut dippers, triple-chocolate meltdown, or brownie bites. To receive your free birthday dessert, you need to make a $15 purchase.

Do you want free pretzels? Take a moment to sign up for Auntie Anne's Pretzel Perks on the website or via the app. 

One of the perks of being a part of the program is that you get a special offer on your birthday for a buy-one-get-one pretzel. You'll receive a special coupon in either your email or on the app, and you simply need to show it when ordering to get your free item with the purchase of another.

If you're really hungry on your birthday, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill might be the perfect spot for you. But before your visit, head to the restaurant's website to join Club Baja and gain access to several perks including a special gift on your birthday. 

During your birthday month, you will receive an email with a coupon for your special offer of a free burrito. To get the burrito, show the coupon and a photo ID with your birthday to the server. You can get a regular burrito with the standard ingredients free of charge, but if you request any special additions like extra meat, you will have to pay for them.

The Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club is a rewards program that gives you access to a free gift on your birthday. Sign up online or through the app with a few basic pieces of information.

On your birthday, you will receive an email or notification via the app with a coupon for your gift. Visit any Baskin-Robbins to get a free scoop of ice cream. You don't even have to make a purchase for this one!

Bojangles' is a popular fried chicken restaurant that has its own offer for those celebrating a birthday: a Bo-Berry Biscuit, a buttermilk biscuit made with berries and topped with icing. To receive your gift, you must first sign up for the Bojangles' Eclub either online or via the app. 

On your birthday, you will receive an email or notification with a coupon for your biscuit. Unfortunately, this offer isn't free as you must purchase at least an entree in order to get it. 

Become a Bonefish Grill Insider  to receive a free dessert or Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer on your birthday. Sign up online, and you'll receive a coupon on the big day that can be redeemed for the menu item (dine-on only) within one month.

You can choose from a variety of desserts, such as chocolate chip cookies, key lime cake, or cheesecake, or you can opt for the kick of a savory appetizer. You'll have to make a purchase of an entree or appetizer to receive this free birthday gift. 

Join the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' Rewards program online or via the app to get six free wings to celebrate your birthday. You will receive a notification and an email with the coupon for your birthday gift. 

Visit Buffalo Wild Wings within two weeks of your birthday to get your free order of traditional or boneless wings with the sauce of your choice. That gift is worth $8.99, and you don't have to make a purchase of another item either.  

Capital Grille is one restaurant that doesn't require customers to sign up for a rewards program or download an app. Just let your server know it is your birthday and you'll receive a free dessert with your meal. 

Dessert options vary by location but can range from cheesecake to creme brulee to chocolate espresso cake. You will have to purchase an entree to get access to the birthday gift.

Checkers is a fast food restaurant that harkens back to the drive-thru locations of yesteryear. It's known for its variety of burgers and milkshakes and that is exactly what is on the menu for those celebrating their birthday. 

Download and sign up for the Checkers & Rally's mobile app, and you'll be eligible for a birthday gift. During your birthday, month, you will get an email and notification in the app with a coupon for the free item. The best part is that you don't have to make a purchase to get the cool treat. You can select from a variety of milkshake flavors like vanilla, chocolate, banana, and strawberry. 

Chick-fil-A offers free food for those looking to celebrate their birthday, however, the gifts vary based on your level of membership through Chick-fil-A One. 

Chick-fil-A One Members are entitled to either a fudge brownie or a chocolate chunk cookie. Silver Members get their choice of a dessert item. Red Members get to pick between a grilled, regular, 8- or 12-piece nugget meal; and Signature members get their choice of any entrée on the menu.

At Chipotle, you can get a free order or topping of guac on your birthday, but first you must sign up for the Chipotle Rewards program either online or via the app. 

Unfortunately, you'll have to spend at least $5 to get the item. Chipotle's menu isn't as cheap as some would like, so the best bet would be to purchase an entree like tacos or a burrito and add the chips with guac as a side item.

Cinnabon offers its customers a free sweet treat on their birthday. The gift changes throughout the year and varies by location. That adds a whole new element as Cinnabon really does give you a birthday surprise. 

Sign up for the Cinnabon eClub  online or through the app to receive a coupon every year around your birthday. When your birthday comes around, you will get a notification and email letting you know that your gift is available.

Sign up for Denny's rewards program online or via the app and you'll get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast to enjoy on your big day. 

To receive your gift, there is no purchase necessary. When ordering, simply present the coupon you'll receive in your email or in your app. The coupon is valid for any day during your birthday month.

Fuddruckers has a membership program called the Fudds Club that gives you access to promotions, discounts, rewards, and a BOGO 1/3-pound original burger on your birthday. 

To get your gift, you must purchase another entrée during that order and present a barcode on your app or email. Your birthday burger can include the toppings of your choice, such as lettuce, cheese, jalapeno peppers, and more. 

To get free food from Hooters all you need to do is sign up for the Hoot Club through the app or online. The loyalty program allows you to accrue points from food purchases and offers all types of rewards, including free wings on your birthday.

The max value of your gift is $8.99. You can order them in a variety of styles such as honey BBQ, Daytona Beach style, or even boneless. 

Joe's Crab Shack offers a birthday gift when you visit on your special day. Signing up for Joe's Catch Eclub, you will gain access to the gift. During your birthday month, you will receive an email with the coupon included for your next trip. 

For your birthday, Joe's Crab Shack allows you to pick a free appetizer when you purchase an entree. Those appetizers include items like garlic bread, crab & shrimp tacos, spinach & artichoke dip, and many more. Inform your server when you arrive and are seated that you'd like to take advantage of the offer.

Sign up for the Rocket E-Club at Johnny Rockets and you'll not only receive special offers throughout the year, but you'll also get goodies on your birthday. Register online or via the app.

When your big day approaches, you will receive a coupon via email that is valid during the week of your birthday. That coupon allows you to receive a free burger when you purchase another entree or drink. This only includes the original single. Present the coupon on your phone to your server when checking out.

The Krispy Kreme rewards program gives you access to a gift on your birthday. Sign up for the program either on the company website or by downloading the app on your smartphone. You'll get a notification and email for your birthday gift within the month of your special day.

When you visit for your birthday you will get the option of selecting any of the donuts available at the shop.  The birthday offer is valid for the entire month.

The popular chain restaurant, Longhorn Steakhouse, allows you to double up on your birthday and get two free rewards. Visiting a location on or near your special day not only nets you a free appetizer, but you also get a free dessert. 

To take advantage of this program, all you need is a valid email address to sign up for the Longhorn Steakhouse account. You can also do so through the mobile app on your smartphone. 

There are a few ways you can get a birthday item from Margaritaville. First, showing up at the restaurant and letting your server know it's your birthday will net you a special gift. 

You can also sign up for the Fins Up Club, which is a rewards program that works for both Margaritaville and Landshark Bar & Grill. If you're in the club, you will get an email during your birthday month with a gift of a free dessert. During your visit, you have to order an entree to be eligible for the item.

At McDonald's, you can get a free medium french fries on your birthday if you follow a few steps along the way. Those 18 and older simply need to download and sign up for the McDonald's app. 

On your birthday, a coupon will be available in the "Deals" section of the app. Note that the deal is only available via mobile app orders, but you can pick them up if you walk into a McDonald's or go through the drive-thru.

Sign up for the rewards program at Moe's Southwestern Grill and you'll receive a free cup of queso in addition to a birthday gift in the form of a burrito. You can sign up online or via the app.

When your birthday rolls around, present your coupon to get your birthday gift. Enjoy!

Olive Garden offers a free dessert to go along with your dinner purchase on your birthday. Desserts include such items as chocolate brownie lasagna, warm Italian donuts, Sicilian cheesecake, and more.

To take advantage of that offer, you must sign up for the Eclub. The notification for the birthday gift will be sent your way via email. 

P.F. Chang's has a two-level reward program. The Gold Program is free and the Platinum Rewards Program is $6.99 a month, which comes with more perks like priority reservations, VIP concierge, free delivery, and more. Both options have complimentary items available for customers celebrating their birthdays. 

With both Gold and Platinum you can get a free dessert or appetizer during your birthday month. You can sign up for either of program online or via the mobile app.

Becoming a MyPanera member gives you access to a gift from Panera Bread. Visit on your birthday and you can enjoy a free pastry. 

Join the MyPanera program online or by downloading the app. You will receive a notification about your gift via email and within the app, and a purchase is not necessary to redeem. 

Setting up an online order account with Pizza Hut will net you a special gift on your birthday. Sign up online or through the app, and you'll receive a coupon via email during your birthday month. Simply notify the server in person, or when you place your order online that you'd like to redeem the birthday offer. 

Pizza Hut offers either a free order of breadsticks or cinnamon sticks as a birthday gift. You must make a purchase in order to redeem it. 

Qdoba Rewards is a program that gives you access to a birthday gift whenever you visit the restaurant on your birthday. Sign up for the program online or by downloading the app.

You will get a birthday coupon for a free burrito via email and notification within the app. To get that burrito, you must order one additional entrée.

Join the My Red Lobster Rewards Club to get a special treat on your birthday. You can sign up through the app or online.

On your birthday, you receive get a free menu item that is chosen at random and based on the location. Those items can be Cheddar Bay Biscuits, an appetizer, or desserts. 

As a member of Rita's Ice Birthday Club, you will get a free Italian Ice for your birthday. The coupon will be emailed to you during your birthday month and also be available in the mobile app. You can also redeem an ice cream if you prefer.

Signing up for the program is easy. Simply do so via the website or app.

To receive a free birthday gift at Sbarro, you must first sign up for the Sbarro Rewards program, which can be done either on the website or mobile app. Then, you must spend at least $5 at a location within the week of your birthday. 

Checking those two boxes will net you a free extra large slice of New York Pizza. That offer is only valid for a limited time around your birthday.

Sign up for the Sonic Reward program online or via the app to get a free small milkshake on your birthday. Additionally, you'll get a free item just for signing up.

To receive your free birthday item you do not need to make a purchase. It is available on your birthday and 30 days after. 

Join the Starbucks Rewards program and you'll get a free beverage, food item, or bottle drink on your birthday. Signup is simple online or via the app, and you can earn points throughout the year for even more free items.

When your birthday rolls around, the reward will automatically be added to your mobile app. Note that you must sign up for the program at least seven days before your birthday. 

Download the Taco Bell mobile app on your smartphone to get access to rewards from the restaurant, as well as a free Mountain Dew Baja Blast on your birthday. Other drinks can be ordered based on availability.

No purchase is necessary to redeem the offer. The coupon will be provided to you via email and within the mobile app. The offer is valid on your birthday and 30 days after.

The Waffle House Regulars Club offers free gifts for customers who celebrate their birthday at the restaurant. Sign up with a valid email address on the company website and you'll get a free waffle during your birthday month. 

You must make a purchase of another item to get the free waffle for your birthday. You'll be notified via email the month of your birthday to pick up your gift during your next stop.

Download the Wingstop mobile app to get a free order of french fries on your birthday. The gift is valid with any order of wings and available on your birthday and within two weeks of that date.

You will get notifications via both email and the mobile app when you can redeem the offer. Advance registration is required.