Birthday freebies are a cause for celebration. Whether you're a kid who looks forward to the big day all year or a parent who forgets how old you're turning, getting free stuff on your birthday is always a treat!


We've put together a list of major national chains that give free birthday food to help make your celebrations a little sweeter. Most send coupons after you sign up with email, so scroll down the list in advance to claim your treat on the big day.


From birthday cake to free birthday meals, there is something here for everyone! And if you know of a birthday deal we've missed, please tell us below!


 
    Baskin-Robbins

    Alexandra F.:  Baskin-Robbins believes that everyone deserves ice cream on their birthday...and I couldn't agree more! Sign up for their Birthday Club for a free scoop on your big day.

    Auntie Anne's

    Alexandra F.:  Whether you love sweet or salty, Auntie Anne's has got a pretzel for you! Join Pretzel Perks to earn free pretzels all year long, including a free classic pretzel on your birthday.

    Panera

    Alexandra F.:  You're probably already eating at Panera with the kids so might as well join MyPanera to claim your free birthday treat! You'll also get personalized offers for food you love all year long. Sign up with email to join, and download the app for an even more personalized experience.

    Dunkin' Donuts

    Kelly R.:  Receive a free birthday beverage when you sign up for the Dunkin' rewards program, DD Perks. You'll also earn free beverages and other bonus rewards on your purchases throughout the year.

    Bertucci's

    Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Bertucci's offers free birthday and anniversary gifts plus exclusive offers when you sign up for their eClub.

    Jersey Mike's Subs

    Alexandra F.:  Get a free birthday sub when you sign up for My Mike's reward program! Plus, you'll earn points toward free subs all year long and receive other special offers and promotions.

    Steak 'n Shake

    Alexandra F.:  Sign up with email to join the Steak 'n Shake eClub for a free specialty milkshake on your birthday. You'll also get a free Double ’n Cheese ’n Fries for joining, and if you download their app to become a Rewards Club member, you'll earn points for even more free stuff!

    The Melting Pot

    Alexandra F.:  The Melting Pot provides a great experience for fun and delicious family dining - who can resist dipping food into a pot of yummy cheese (or chocolate)?? Join Club Fondue and you'll get a box of their Signature Dipped Strawberries, as well as birthday vouchers for a great treat!

    The Cheesecake Factory

    Alexandra F.:  Celebrate with a tasty meal at the Cheesecake Factory and be treated to a free birthday sundae - complete with a birthday candle! No need to sign up for anything, just come hungry and let them know it's your birthday! If you order a cheesecake or other full dessert, they'll decorate that festively, too.

    Buffalo Wild Wings

    Alexandra F.:  Free birthday wings, coming your way when you sign up for Buffalo Wild Wings rewards program. You'll also earn points toward free food and get other exclusive offers all year long.

    B.GOOD Food With Roots

    Alexandra F.:  Download the app to join the B.GOOD rewards program and you'll get a free birthday meal, along with a free side when you join! This rewards program is especially cool because you'll also be earning points that you can either trade-in for more free food, or donate to one of their local community partners. So you can do good while eating good food!

    Ruby Tuesday

    Alexandra F.:  Get a free burger or garden bar entree on your birthday when you sign up for Ruby Tuesday's Email Club. You also get a free appetizer when you join, and other offers throughout the year.

    Smashburger

    Alexandra F.:  Sign up for Smash Rewards to earn different tasty treats at Smashburger. The more you enjoy, the more you'll earn in this tiered rewards program. When your birthday rolls around, you'll for sure get a free regular side, but eat your way to higher levels and you might even get a free birthday burger!

    Chuck E. Cheese

    Alexandra F.:  Chuck E. Cheese wants to give you and your kids birthday freebies just for enjoying quality family time together! The more you play the more you earn when you sign up for More Cheese Rewards, including 20 minutes of All You Can Play when you bring your kids in within 3 days of their birthdays! They'll even get 100 free tickets on their half-birthdays. Cha ching.

    Barnes & Noble

    Alexandra F.:  When kids join the B&N Kids' Club they get a free cupcake on their birthday! Parents will also appreciate the 30% off any book or toy for your child, as well as a $5 reward for every $100 you spend.

    Texas Roadhouse

    Alexandra F.:  Join the Texas Roadhouse VIP club to earn rewards and coupons, including free appetizers and a special surprise on your birthday.

    Portillo's

    Alexandra F.:  Joining the Portillo’s Birthday Club not only gets you a free piece of cake on your birthday, but you can enter up to three of your kids' birthdays for a slice of their famous chocolate cake on their birthdays, too! Now there's a cause for celebration!

    Olive Garden

    Kristy Pepping:  Olive Garden has a ton of nationwide locations and offers the perfect low-key Italian family meal. When you celebrate your birthday at one of their restaurants, you will get either a free appetizer or dessert. You'll need to sign up for their eClub to receive the offer.

    Noodles and Company

    Alexandra F.:  Kids love noodles. So when your birthday rolls around, everyone will be happy to join you at Noodles and Company, where you'll be able to enjoy either a Crispy or a cookie for dessert, free on your birthday as long as you've signed up for their rewards program ahead of time!

    Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

    Alexandra F.:  Lovers of chocolate and Italian food should sign up for the eClub at Bucca di Beppo, where you will be rewarded with a Colossal Brownie Sundae, free on your birthday!

    California Pizza Kitchen

    Alexandra F.:  Join CPK's tiered rewards program and get better and better rewards the more pizza (or other yummy CPK food) you eat! You'll for sure get a free birthday dessert, but rack up enough points and you can turn that into even more free birthday food...including on your half birthday!

    Starbucks

    Alexandra F.:  You're a sleep-deprived parent. Of course you know about this one! But just in case, be sure to sign up for Starbucks Rewards for a free treat of your choice on your birthday, along with other rewards all year round. You can pick from a free handcrafted beverage, ready-to-drink bottled beverage, or food item of your choice. Just be sure to sign up at least a week in advance of your birthday to get your treat.

    P.F. Chang's

    Alexandra F.:  Join the P.F. Chang's Rewards Program to earn points toward free entrees AND for a free birthday dessert or appetizer any time during your birthday month!

    Chipotle

    Alexandra F.:  Join Chipotle Rewards and download the app (or order your burritos online) to earn points every time you place an order. You'll be earning points toward free entrees AND a little special something on your birthday. It's a burrito-ful thing.

    Red Robin

    Alexandra F.:  A free birthday burger?? Yes, please! Sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program to enjoy many yummy benefits, including a free burger on the month of your birthday and other chances to earn free meals and rewards.

    Einstein Bros. Bagels

    Alexandra F.:  Start your day off right with a free egg sandwich on your birthday (with a separate purchase) when you are part of Einstein's Shmear Society. You'll also get a free bagel and shmear when you sign up, and earn points each visit that can be redeemed for free food or drinks at participating Einstein Bros. Bagels, Caribou Coffee, and Bruegger’s Bagels locations.

    IHOP

    Alexandra F.:  Join IHOP's MyHop for free pancakes when you sign up, free pancakes on your birthday, and free pancakes every anniversary of signing up...now that's a lot of free pancakes!!

    Caribou Coffee

    Shila:  Active "Perks members" can redeem a free beverage in any size for their birthday at this national coffee chain. Beyond coffee, speciality drinks can include frozen hot chocolate, apple ciders, cookies-and-cream coolers, etc. It's free to sign up, too. They call it a "happy bouday!"

    Ruby's Diner

    Alexandra F.:  Shooby dooby down to Ruby's for a free milkshake on your birthday (with the purchase of an adult entree)! Joining Ruby's eClub will also get you advance notice of $2.99 burger days and other promotions.

    Sbarro

    Alexandra F.:  Join the Slice Society for a free surprise on your birthday at Sbarro! You'll also get a free XL NY slice with the purchase of a drink within 24 hours of joining.

    Yogurtland

    Alexandra F.:  If you love frozen yogurt you've got to join Yogurtland's Real Rewards program. The more you visit the more you earn. So, while you start out getting a free 3 oz yogurt for registering and again on your birthday, if you visit enough in a year you'll get up to a 16 oz treat, free on your birthday!

    Pinkberry

    Alexandra F.:  Download the Pinkberry app or pick up a Pinkcard at your local shop to register for this yummy rewards program, which will land you a deliciously tart and sweet Pinkberry yogurt free on your birthday. You'll also earn points toward free Pinkberry with every visit!

    Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

    Alexandra F.:  Perkins is a great place to dine as a family, and they are ready to reward you for it! Sign up for their MyPerkins rewards club for a special gift on your birthday AND birthday gifts for each of your kids under 12 on their birthdays! Plus, you'll get a 20% off coupon just for signing up. Win-win-win.

    Juice It Up!

    Alexandra F.:  Download the Juice It Up! app to join their rewards program, then scan it every time you get your smoothies to earn points for future rewards. And, on your special day, a free birthday smoothie!

    Houlihan's Restaurant

    Alexandra F.:  You can expect lots of freebies when you join the Houlihan's email club, including a $10 reward when you sign up and a free entree on your birthday!

    Argo Tea

    Alexandra F.:  Your loyaltea is rewarded at Argo Tea when you join their LoyalTea Club. It's a tiered program so the more you visit the more you get! Once you've visited at least five times, you'll get a free drink up to $5 on your birthday.

    bd’s Mongolian Grill

    Alexandra F.:  If you're looking for free birthday meals, bd’s Mongolian Grill is where you should go to celebrate! When you join their eClub, you'll get $5 off for joining AND a free meal on your birthday. Download their app and you can earn even more free food all year long.

    Baja Fresh

    Alexandra F.:  You'll get a free treat on your birthday when you join Club Baja. Just be sure to join at least four days in advance to claim your birthday freebie in time!

    Cold Stone Creamery

    Alexandra F.:  Signing up for the My Cold Stone Club will not only get you free stuff on your birthday but also earn you points for free ice cream all year long! Sign up for the rewards program and you'll get 1 point for every dollar you spend, with 50 points earning you a $5 reward. You also get a "buy one get one" free creation when you sign up, and another on your birthday. Score!

    Corner Bakery

    Alexandra F.:  You'll get a free bakery sweet from Corner Bakery to celebrate your birthday when you are a part of their rewards program. You'll also earn points toward more free food in this tiered program, including $5 coupons, $.99 drinks every week, and buy one get one free entrees.

    Zaxby's

    Alexandra F.:  Parents, sign your kids up for the Zax Kidz Club and they'll get a cookie for signing up and a free meal on their birthday! Don't forget to sign yourself up for the Zax Club, too, and enjoy a free Big Zak Snak on your big day.

    BIGGBY COFFEE

    Alexandra F.:  Free coffee! Need I say more? Probably not, but I'll just note that joining the Biggby Nation will give you access to lots of free coffee. Up to a 24 oz drink on your birthday month, for starters, but weekly rewards and offers, as well as a free drink after every 12 drinks you buy.

    Boston Market

    Alexandra F.:  Get a free cookie on your birthday when you join Boston Market's Rotisserie Rewards Program. Sign up at least seven days in advance to claim your birthday cookie!

    Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar

    Alexandra F.:  Enjoy a free dessert on your birthday when you join Applebee's E-Club! You'll also get a free appetizer when you sign up and remember to check your local restaurant for kids eat free deals, too!

    A&W

    Alexandra F.:  A free root beer float on birthday, courtesy of the A&W Mug Club. Yummy yum yum. Just be sure to give them your email and join the club before the big day!

    Denny's

    Alexandra F.:  This classic American diner will give you 20% off your next visit AND a tasty birthday treat when you sign up for their rewards program. Build your own Grand Slam for free on your birthday each year - just be sure to bring an ID for confirmation!

    Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

    Sarah Calamita:  Get a free scoop on your birthday! The best flavors around.

    GODIVA

    Alexandra F.:  A reward for eating chocolate? Sign me up! The GODIVA rewards club gives its members delicious chocolate rewards for their loyalty, including a free chocolate every month and a special chocolate offer on the month of their birthday.

    Orange Julius

    Alexandra F.:  Join the Julius League for a Buy One Get One free coupon just for signing up, and ANOTHER BOGO coupon for free stuff on your birthday, too!

    Chili's

    Alexandra F.:  If you want your Baby Back Baby Back Baby Back ribs, be sure to sign up for My Chili's Rewards! You'll get a free birthday dessert, free chips & salsa or a non-alcoholic drink every time you visit (as long as it's at least every 60 days) AND other personalized rewards all year long.

Primary photo:   S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.