On your birthday, you’re probably accustomed to getting a card, flowers or a whole bunch of “Happy birthday!” posts to your Facebook wall. But your birthday means you can also dine out for breakfast, lunch and dinner without spending a dime! And get gifts from some of your favorite retailers!
From food to gifts, these 100+ merchants and restaurants put the icing on the cake as our favorite places to get freebies on your special day. This list includes the best places to eat free on your birthday, score birthday treats and how to get free stuff on your birthday, including free beauty birthday gifts!
An important caveat: There may be requirements like signing up for a mailing list or enrolling in a free rewards program. Do some sleuthing to figure out the requirements so you’re not disappointed on your birthday (though you can certainly cry if you want to).
(Psst … don’t miss out on anniversary freebies, and discounts for teachers, seniors, students, and members of the military.)
Where to Get Free Food on Your Birthday
These restaurants all offer ways to eat free and get discounts on your birthday. Be sure to check the terms and conditions. In some cases, you just need to tell a waiter and show an ID with your birth date. In others, you’ll need to have the restaurant’s app and show a coupon that will be delivered to you.
Even more, many restaurants offer free birthday rewards and freebies with every email sign up – essentially you’re signing yourself up for free stuff!
99 Restaurant & Pub: Get a free birthday dessert on your big day when you join their rewards program!
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant: Join the Mi Abuelo’s Rewards program to get a special offer on your birthday. Plus, you’ll earn one point for every dollar spent, all year long!
Applebee’s: Join the email club and get a birthday special — most likely a free dessert-y treat. Just note if you come with your b-day crew, you can’t make reservations: They’re first-come, first-serve. You can also get exclusive deals, specials and more!
Arby’s: Get 25% off your first order, get $3 off orders of $10, and $5 off orders of $20 when you register with Arby’s.
Atlanta Bread: Score extra rewards on your birthday when you join Rise Rewards. These offers change, but we’ve seen a free cookie in the past.
Au Bon Pain: Members of the Au Bon Pain eClub get a coupon for a free treat.
Auntie Anne’s: Become a member of My Pretzel Perks, download the app, and you’ll get a tasty reward on your birthday: a signature/classic Auntie Anne’s pretzel. Drool.
A&W All American Food: You can get a free root beer float on your birthday when you join the Mug Club.
Baskin-Robbins: With the ice cream chain’s Birthday Club, members get a free 2.5-oz. scoop of ice cream on their birthday. You’ll get the coupon for this freebie via email, if you shared your date of birth when you signed up for the club.
Ben & Jerry’s: Join the Flavor Fanatics rewards program for what Ben & Jerry’s describes as a cone-gratulatory surprise on your birthday.
Benihana: Members of the Chef’s Table get a complimentary $30 gift certificate during the month of their birthday, and staff will sing “Happy Birthday” in Japanese!
Big Boy: Get a birthday dessert on the house when you join the email club.
BJ’s Brewhouse: Join Premier Rewards Plus and get a free Pizookie (a warm cookie with ice cream) for your birthday.
Black Angus Steakhouse: Join the Prime Club, and you’ll get two times the rewards points on your purchases during your birthday month. Plus, you get a free Cowboy Cookie on your birthday (just add a note in your reservation).
Bonefish Grill: BFG Insiders get a free appetizer or dessert for their birthday as part of the Bonefish birthday club.
Bruegger’s Bagels: Receive a free bagel just for signing up for the Bruegger’s Bagels eClub, along with a free treat on your birthday!
Buffalo Wild Wings: Join the Blazin’ Rewards program, and get a free order of birthday wings during your birth month. Check out other ways to score free food from Buffalo Wild Wings.
California Pizza Kitchen: Get treated to a free dessert on your birthday when you join CPK Rewards. They’ll throw in a free starter when you sign up, too!
Caribou Coffee: Get a free birthday drink your entire birthday week. Ask for your birthday beverage whenever you place an order during your b-day week.
Chevys Fresh Mex: Join the e-club for a birthday freebie — like a free entree! — and other special offers. Be ready to wear a sombrero and be serenaded with a spirited birthday chant.
Cheesecake Factory: Be gifted the sweetest gift of all, just for joining Cheesecake Rewards: a free slice of birthday cheesecake in any flavor you’d like.
Chick-fil-A: Sign up for the Chick-fil-A One membership program for a free birthday reward — which can range from your choice of dessert, sandwich or full entrée, depending on your membership tier.
Chili’s: Join My Chili’s Rewards for a free dessert on your birthday, plus free chips and salsa (or a nonalcoholic drink) when you sign up!
Cinnabon: Wash down that warm, freshly baked goodness with a free 16-ounce cold brew on your birthday when you join Cinnabon Rewards. Plus, get four BonBites when you download the app!
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Get the Coffee Bean Rewards app to unlock a “tasty birthday gift” every year. The birthday offers vary, from free sweets to free drinks. Check the app as your birthday approaches to claim your offer.
Crumbl: Receive a free cookie on your birthday (every year!) when you join Crumbl Loyalty.
Culver’s: Sign up for a MyCulver’s account to receive a free birthday treat (usually a small sundae).
Dairy Queen: Receive a buy-one-get-one Blizzard coupon on your birthday by signing up for the Blizzard Fan Club.
Del Taco: Enjoy a regular-size premium shake for your birthday, plus you’ll get two free grilled chicken tacos just for signing up for their Del Yeah! Rewards.
Denny’s: Sign up for Denny’s loyalty program to get a free “delicious gift.” Note: Word on the street is you don’t need to register for the program to get this freebie; the server will give you your birthday freebie when you show your ID proving it’s your birthday.
Dippin’ Dots: Join the Dot Crazy Email Club and make sure you’ve included your date of birth to get free Dippin’ Dots on your day.
Dunkin’: Members enjoy 3x points on any purchases made the day before their birthday, the day of their birthday or the day after their birthday.
Dutch Bros: Let the bros hook you up with a free drink on your birthday — and another on your half-birthday! — when you sign up for Dutch Rewards and download the app.
Einstein Bros. Bagels: Celebrate your birthday with a free breakfast sandwich (with separate purchase, valid for 14 days).
Edible Arrangements: Join Edible Rewards and receive a special treat during your birthday month. There are also other perks!
Firehouse Subs: Sign up for Firehouse Rewards for a free medium sub.
Famous Dave’s: Get a tasty gift for your birthday when you join the Famous Nation.
The Fresh Market: Get exclusive savings, rewards, a free slice of The Ultimate birthday cake and much more when you sign up for The Ultimate Loyalty Experience. Everyone needs cake on their birthday!
Fuddruckers: Members of the Fuddruckers Fudds Club (try saying that 10 times fast!) get exclusive promotions and specials, including a BOGO burger offer on their birthday.
Godiva: Join the Godiva Rewards Club and score an exclusive birthday gift and enjoy special perks like exclusive offers, free shipping on one order of your choice during your first year and more.
Great American Cookies: Get a coupon just for signing up, plus a surprise for your birthday when you join the Cookie Club.
Habit Burger Grill: Join Habit Burger Grill’s CharClub and get a birthday freebie.
Hard Rock: Sign up for Hard Rock Rewards for an annual birthday offer.
HoneyBaked Ham: Join myHoneyBaked Rewards for $9 in rewards at signup and another $9 on your birthday!
Houlihan’s: Get $10 off just for joining their email club, plus a free entrée on your birthday.
IHOP: You’ll get a free stack of pancakes on your birthday when you join the IHOP Rewards Program. The waiters may even sing to you if you ask!
Jason’s Deli: Snag a free treat on your birthday when you join the Deli Dollars rewards program.
Jersey Mike’s Subs: Get a coupon for a free birthday sub and drink when you sign up for the email club. The best part? The coupon is good for the entire year!
Jimmy John’s: We’re not entirely sure what joining the Freaky Fast Rewards will get you on your birthday, but we just know that it’ll arrive as soon as humanly possible.
Joe’s Crab Shack: Sign up for Joe’s Catch and receive a birthday offer, as well as a free appetizer just for signing up.
Krispy Kreme: Download the Krispy Kreme app and sign up to receive a free birthday treat.
La Madeleine: Say oui to a free pastry or slice of cake on our birthday when you sign up for Bonjour Rewards.
Longhorn Steakhouse: Receive a free treat on your birthday just for signing up for Longhorn Rewards.
Marie Callender’s: Join the e-club for an exclusive birthday offer.
Macaroni Grill: Sign up for the email club to get a free dessert on your birthday. Plus, a waiter will serenade you with “Happy Birthday” in Italian. Buon compleanno!
MOD Pizza: Join MOD Rewards for a free birthday dessert!
Moe’s Southwest Grill: Fancy a birthday burrito? Download the Moe’s app, and you’ll get one on your birthday. Note: Moe’s kindly asks that you don’t wear your birthday suit when redeeming the offer. Ha!
Nestle Toll House Café by Chip: Join the CafeClub at NestleCafe.com and receive a free cookie on your birthday!
Noodles & Company: Receive a special offer the week before your birthday when you sign up for Noodles Family (must sign up at least 60 days before your birthday).
Nothing Bundt Cakes: What’s better than a birthday cake? A free bundt cake on your birthday through the Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub.
O’Charley’s: Members of O’Club get a free surprise on their birthday. Word on the street says it’s a piece of down-home classic pie or a brownie lover’s brownie topped with ice cream. That’s a surprise we’re happy to know about!
Olive Garden: Save room after those unlimited breadsticks! Join Olive Garden’s eClub to get a dessert on your birthday. While you’re there, the staff will serenade you with their very own — and very catchy — birthday jingle.
On the Border: Get a free surprise on your birthday when you’re part of Club Cantina.
Outback Steakhouse: Become a Dine Rewards member for a free dessert on your birthday! Plus, get a free Bloomin’ Onion when you join the program.
Papa John’s: Sign up for their rewards program and get a birthday reward! Papa Johns wants to wish you a Happy Birthday during your birthday month with a free dessert. This offer is valid online only at participating U.S. restaurants only.
Panda Express: Register for emails and receive an exclusive offer on your birthday.
Panera: Get a bonus reward on your birthday, plus a reward just for signing up for MyPanera.
Pei Wei: Sign up for My Wei Rewards and score a free birthday freebie.
Perkins: Sign up for MyPerkins to receive birthday gifts for yourself and family members (age 12 and under).
P.F. Chang’s: Create an account and get a complimentary dessert or appetizer to use during your birthday month.
Pinkberry: Sign up for a Pinkcard or download the app to get a free yogurt on your birthday.
Pita Pit: Sign up for the Pita Pit card and receive a free pita on your birthday.
PizzaExpress: Create a MyPizzaExpress account, and you’ll get a birthday surprise. Pro tip: If your party is more than six people, request a group booking in advance. Pizza party!
Pizza Hut: Sign up for Hut Rewards and score a birthday reward!
Potbelly: Join the Potbelly Perks rewards program and get a free cookie on your birthday.
Red Lobster: Join the My Red Lobster Rewards and get a free birthday surprise. But don’t wait: New members must join at least seven days before their birthday to get the coupon.
Red Robin: Become a Red Robin Royalty member and get a free birthday burger as well as rewards, such as every 10th item free and $20 toward your sixth visit (as long as you visit five times within the first five weeks of joining).
Rita’s: Join the Birthday Club for a free birthday treat and other offers throughout the year.
Ruby Tuesday: Sign up for the SoConnected plan, and you’ll get a free burger or garden bar entrée on your special day. And $5 off when you join!
Sbarro: Get a free surprise on your birthday by joining Sbarro Rewards — we hear it’s a free slice with any purchase of $5 or more!
Smashburger: Smash the signup button on the SmashRewards page for a free shake on your birthday.
Smoothie King: Be treated like royalty on your birthday and get a free birthday smoothie when you sign up for Healthy Rewards.
Sonic: Create a My Sonic account, download the app, and score a special treat on your birthday.
Sonny’s BBQ: Join the ‘Q Crew and get a free Big Deal Meal on your birthday, plus a welcome gift just for joining.
Souper Salad: Register for Souper Fresh Club to get a free meal during your birthday week, plus a $3 coupon just for signing up.
Sprinkles: Join Sprinkles Perks to receive a free cupcake for your birthday. You can also earn points to score free sweets! If you start climbing the ranks of the rewards program and reach the Dark Chocolate Tier, you get two free cupcakes on your birthday. If you reach the Red Velvet Tier, you’ll get 13 (a baker’s dozen) free cupcakes on your birthday.
Starbucks: Register a Starbucks prepaid card with My Starbucks Rewards and start earning your way to all sorts of perks. Register at least 30 days ahead for a free drink or treat on your birthday. You’ll get an email two days before your birthday regarding your free birthday drink or food item.
Steak ‘n Shake: Join the eClub and get a free menu item on your birthday and your anniversary. Plus, earn $5 reward for every $50 spent.
Subway: What does Subway give you on your birthday! Sign up for the Subway Rewards Program and get a free 6″ sub and cookie!
TCBY: Receive special offers for your birthday when you sign up for TCBY emails.
Texas Roadhouse: Sign up for the VIP club and get a birthday surprise and free appetizer. If you’re brave enough, you can get on the saddle and wave the napkin while servers sing to you. Yee-haw!
TGI Fridays: With the Fridays Rewards plan, you’ll get a free birthday dessert — and it may even have sparklers! Talk about flare.
The Melting Pot: Get a voucher for free chocolate fondue for two on your birthday, as well as six of the Melting Pot’s signature chocolate-covered strawberries when you sign up for Club Fondue.
The Spaghetti Warehouse: Join the Warehouse Club to get a free meal on your birthday, plus a free appetizer with an entrée purchase just for becoming a member of the club.
Tijuana Flats: Become a Flathead and receive a free treat for your birthday.
Tony Roma’s: Join the email club for free birthday entrée and special promotions.
Uno Chicago Grill: Get your ’za on with this popular eatery, which will send you a coupon toward something gratis when you’re a member of the Uno Insider’s Club.
Waffle House: Become a member of the Waffle House Regulars Club for free waffle on your birthday.
Which Wich: Join Vibe Club Rewards for a free birthday ‘wich when you make a purchase within 11 months before your next birthday.
Wingstop: Members of The Club get a free gift on their birthday. While the exact gift remains a mystery, we’re sure it’ll be delicious.
Zaxby’s: Get in on Zax Rewardz for three free cookies your birthday!
Pro tip: Hungry now? Download the free RetailMeNot app to score nearby food deals.
Where to Get Other Free Stuff on Your Birthday
After you’ve hit up your favorite restaurants for free meals (and free dessert), check your email. If you signed up for your favorite retailers’ mailing lists, you’ve probably got a ton of birthday offers to collect.
What Stores Give You Free Gifts on Your Birthday?
Many stores offer birthday freebies: often something small, like a sample-sized beauty item. However, plenty of others offer discounts for those on their mailing lists. So, if you’re in the mood for a little self-gifting, a discount could be waiting in your inbox.
Note that many retailers offer their birthday freebies, gifts and discounts your entire birth month. So you can spread things out — no need to shop till you drop on your birthday (unless you want to).
adidas: Claim a birthday offer if you’re at least level two in their rewards club.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Score a free birthday dessert through the Alamo Victory program — and even more perks as you rack up those rewards points, just for watching movies!
AMC Theaters: Enjoy a free large popcorn while watching a movie to celebrate your birthday!
American Eagle: Share your email address, and you’ll get an exclusive offer the month of your birthday.
Anthropologie: Join AnthroPerks and receive a birthday discount!
Aveda: Join the Pure Privilege rewards program and get a birthday gift and 2x points on your birthday.
Banana Republic: Sign up for emails and receive a birthday gift. Our guess? It’s a coupon.
bareMinerals: Join the Friends and Benefits Program, and receive a free gift on your birthday.
Bath & Body Works: Members of the My Bath & Body Works rewards program receive a reward coupon for a free body care item priced $7.50 or less. You’ll need to make a purchase to redeem this reward. Learn more.
The Body Shop: Sign up for The Body Shop’s Love Your Body Club and get a $10 reward to spend on your birthday among other perks and rewards.
Cold Stone Creamery: Members of the My Cold Stone Club get a sweet deal for their birthday: a buy one, get one free coupon.
Columbia: Outdoorsy? Join the Greater Rewards program and get a birthday gift.
Converse: When you sign up for emails, you’ll get 20% off a purchase during your birthday month. Check your email for the coupon.
The Container Store: Become an Organized Insider member and not only will you start saving on fab organizational products, but you’ll get a birthday freebie as well: 15% off your order if you’re an entry-level Enthusiast member; 20% off if you’re an Experienced member (spending $300 to $999 per year); and 25% off if you’re an Expert member (spending $1,000+ per year).
CVS: Join the ExtraCare rewards program and get a special offer on your birthday: $3 ExtraBucks Rewards that you can turn around and spend.
Disney Movie Insiders: Sign up for Disney Movie Insiders, and earn free points on your birthday!
DSW: Become a member of the DSW Rewards program, and DSW will give you a $5 birthday certificate!
Famous Footwear: Step on up and join Gold Rewards to get a $5 Birthday Reward Cash and earn 2X points per dollar on all purchases during your birthday month.
Gap: Join the Gap Good rewards program and get bonus points in your rewards account. The number of points you get depends on which level you’ve reached in the program.
Hot Topic: Earn $5 to spend on your birthday when you join Hot Topic Rewards.
IKEA: Family card members can get $10 off their in-store purchases and free frozen yogurt from the IKEA Bistro during your birthday month.
JCPenney: Receive a birthday gift when you sign up for JCPenney Rewards.
J.Crew: Take a birthday shopping trip with your J.Crew Passport membership for $10-$20 off your purchase (depending on your rewards tier).
Journeys Kidz: Join the Kidz Birthday Club and get a 15% off your next purchase. Bonus: Kids get a birthday present in the mail during their birthday month–such a nice gesture!
Kohl’s: Receive a special birthday gift when you sign up for Yes2You Rewards.
Medieval Times: Sign up for email updates and get free admission on your birthday.
Old Navy: Go to the email newsletter signup page and scroll down to the Birthday Club to get a free gift on your special day — we hear it’s a coupon!
Origins: Make sure you’ve signed up for the My Origins Rewards program and add your birth date to your account. You’ll receive a free birthday gift every year.
Pet Supplies Plus: Sign up for a Pet Supplies Plus online account to receive birthday freebies.
Petco: Join Petco’s Pals Rewards and get a free gift for your pet’s birthday.
PetSmart: Join the Treats Rewards program, and get a free surprise on your pet’s birthday. After you’ve signed up, just put your pets birthday (or “gotcha” day) in your account.
PrettyLittleThing: The online clothing retailer promises a “birthday surprise” if you sign up for an account. The PrettyLittleThing birthday discount remains largely a mystery, so you’ll have to enter your birth date when you sign up and then … wait until your birthday.
Regal Cinemas: Sign up for a Regal Crown Club account and receive a free birthday reward, as well as a free small popcorn when you opt in to receive text messages.
Sephora: Become a Beauty Insider and get a birthday gift during your birthday month. You just have to ask at the register, no purchase necessary. Past gifts have included Marc Jacobs gel eyeliner, Fresh face cleanser, Tarte lip gloss and more. Amazing! Check out the latest Sephora birthday gifts.
Sheetz: The convenience store chain gives its rewards members birthday rewards. These offers change, but you get bigger rewards the more points you’ve earned in the program. Examples in the past have included gas discounts and free items in the store.
Smashbox: Sign up for the rewards program to receive a free gift during your birthday month.
Target: Get an offer for 5% off a future purchase on the day of your birthday (it’s valid for the next 30 days). To get the offer, sign up for Target Circle and be sure to include your birth date in your Circle account.
Ulta Beauty: Join Ultamate Rewards and get a gift on your birthday, plus earn double points on purchases made during your birthday month. And if you’re Platinum or Diamond, you get an extra birthday gift. Time to stock up on makeup!
Victoria’s Secret: Finally! Victoria’s Secret launched a rewards program (The Collective) in 2023. All tiers get a $10 reward for their birthday every year. Learn more and join.
World Market: Sign up for the World Market Rewards Program and get a birthday surprise. Most recently, the reward was 15% off. Make sure you’re opted in to texts, so you don’t miss it.
Not your birthday? No worries! Here’s where to get free food every day of the week, no matter when you were born.
The post 140 Birthday Freebies in 2023 to Get the Party Started appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.