45 Birthday Freebies for 2024

I’ve just updated this birthday freebies post to add in additional ways you can get something for free at a restaurant, such as ice cream, or store for your birthday in 2024. Currently, I cover 45 birthday freebies or perks for this year.

Also, I’ve included legit examples of free birthday treats I’ve gotten on my birthday as recently as this past year. This includes free food from Starbucks.

Where to Get Birthday Freebies

This is a list of 45 birthday freebies. I’ve collected them from a bunch of restaurants and retailers.

After the list I’ve got a fun section on birthday freebies. It chronicles a day in the life of my birthday, and all the freebies I would be able to enjoy. I’ve broken it out by breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fact-checked list of freebies

Keep in mind that I’ve fact-checked each and every one of these birthday rewards. Other blogs don’t.

For example, in researching this article, I found plenty of other places mentioning a free pastry at Au Bon Pain on your birthday. However, when I looked into it, there was no current information about this birthday reward. Sure, I could find social media posts about this program from 2014 and earlier, but nothing since then and definitely not anything for 2024.

The same happened with Dippin’ Dots. Tons of other blogs tell you that you’ll get free Dippin’ Dots on your birthday. However, when I went straight to the source, there was nothing to confirm this info.

Same with Arby restaurants aka Arby’s. No definitive information on a birthday reward for customers.

I tell you this so you can trust the information I’m giving you here.

Bulleted list of birthday freebies

Here is a bulleted list of the places I’ve covered in this article.

• AMC Theatres
• Applebee’s
• Auntie Anne
• Baja Fresh
• Baskin-Robbins
• Ben & Jerry’s
• Brio Tuscan Grille
• Bruegger’s Bagels
• Buca di Beppo
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• California Pizza Kitchen
• Cheesecake Factory
• Chili’s
• Cold Stone Creamery
• Dairy Queen (DQ)
• Del Taco
• Denny’s
• Firehouse Subs
• Fogo de Chao
• Jamba Juice
• Kona Grill
• Krispy Kreme
• Landry’s (McCormick & Schmick and Joe’s Crab Shack)
• Maggiano’s Little Italy
• Marie Callender’s
• Max & Erma’s
• Mimi’s Cafe
• Medieval Times
• Nothing Bundt Cakes
• Olive Garden
• On the Border
• P.F. Chang’s
• Panera Bread (double checking)
• Pinkberry
• Red Lobster
• Red Robin
• Rita’s Ice
• Romano’s Macaroni Grill
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House
• Sprinkles Cupcakes
• Starbucks
• Steak N Shake
• Texas de Brazil
• Texas Roadhouse

Now onto the 45 brands that will give you free stuff on your birthday. Also, I’ve included links to sign up for the loyalty program for each of these birthday freebies at the companies listed.

These stores will give you a discount on your birthday, FYI.

Finally, check out this article if you’re looking for birthday freebies for kids specifically.

AMC Theatres

AMC Stubs Insider members enjoy a free, large popcorn during their birthday month! According to AMC, birthday gifts are loaded to your account the first day of your birth month. So just head to the theater during your birth month, scan your card and voila — free popcorn for you for your birthday.

Applebee’s Birthday Freebies

When you share your email with Applebee’s, you’ll get a coupon for a free appetizer.

Applebee’s also asks you for your birthday.

Rumor has it you’ll get a BOGO coupon by email that you can use on your birthday.

Also, when you sign up, Applebee’s asks if you are a veteran or active duty.

I’m guessing they ask because they’ll send you additional discounts on Veteran’s Day or something like that.

Auntie Anne Pretzel Perks

When you join the Auntie Anne’s rewards program and download the Auntie Anne’s app called Pretzel Perks, you can earn free pretzels throughout the year. Also, the program says you get something special on your birthday but it’s not clear if it’s a free pretzel or what.

Baja Fresh Birthday Freebies

If you think you might like to enjoy the birthday freebies from Baja Fresh, make sure you sign up for the Baja Fresh “Club Baja” rewards program at least four days before your birthday.

Otherwise you won’t be able to enjoy your free treat from them–it changes each year so I can’t tell you exactly what you’ll get.

But you will get something.

Baskin-Robbins Birthday Freebies

Yet more free ice cream on your birthday–this time at Baskin-Robbins!

Sign up for the birthday club and you’ll also receive coupons for money off throughout the year.

Ben & Jerry’s Free Ice Cream on your Birthday

Ben and Jerry’s loyalty program is Flavor Fanatics. You have to join in order to get free ice cream on your birthday.

Brio Tuscan Grille Birthday Freebies

Brio Tuscan Grille is one of my husband’s favorite places to eat.

He loves their wedge salad.

Turns out if he signs up for the Brio E-Club program, he’ll get a free gift for his birthday.

Good to know!

Bruegger’s Bagels Birthday Freebie

You’ll need to join Bruegger’s Bagels’ Inner Circle rewards program to get free stuff on your birthday. That includes a free bagel with cream cheese when you make a purchase. So, treat a friend or family member to Bruegger’s on your birthday so you can get a freebie or share it with them.

Buca di Beppo Birthday Freebies

Have your cake (or tiramisu) for free on your birthday at Buca di Beppo.

To get this freebie you have to join their eClub.

As of this writing, when you signed up, you also got a coupon for a free appetizer.

This year, though, things are slightly different.

You still get a free dessert, but if you’re dining to go, you have one option.

Here is what a Buca di Beppo representative told me:

“Folks who wish to enjoy their birthday gift can do so – they’re actually given a choice between two desserts. One includes ice cream so that one’s a dine-in only item, but the other dessert is available to go. Either way, both options are free when the guest purchases an additional item.”

So, in other words, you get dessert for free when you purchase a meal.

Buffalo Wild Wings rewards

When you sign up for Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin’ Rewards, you’ll get six free wings during your birthday month.

California Pizza Kitchen Birthday Freebies

Your kids can enjoy free pizza at California Pizza Kitchen on their birthday.

Also, when adults join CPK Rewards, they’ll get a free dessert on their birthday as part of the California Pizza Kitchen Birthday Club.

Cheesecake Factory Birthday Freebies

There are two ways that the Cheesecake Factory can help you celebrate your birthday.

One, when you order dessert and you tell your server it’s your birthday, they’ll (and this is from the Cheesecake Factory website) “personalize the plate with “Happy Birthday” (or Anniversary, Good Luck, etc.) and your special guest’s name written in chocolate or caramel.

We decorate the plate with candy confetti and place a candle on top.”

Or, two, they offer a complimentary birthday sundae with a tiny “scoopette” of vanilla ice cream, fudge, and top it with a crown of whipped cream, confetti pieces and a candle.

Not sure why you would order a dessert when you could get this second option for free.

Chili’s Birthday Freebies

When you join the My Chili’s Rewards program, you’ll get two freebies.

First, you’ll get free chips and salsa when you sign up.

And, second, on your birthday, you’ll get a free dessert.

Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Freebies

Enjoy free ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery when it’s your big day. This is done through the My Cold Stone Club loyalty program.

Dairy Queen Birthday Freebies

Dairy Queen also will give you free ice cream on your birthday–this time a Blizzard!

So, does Dairy Queen give you a free Blizzard on your birthday?

You bet they do!

Del Taco Freebies

When you sign up for the Del Taco “Del Yeah Rewards” loyalty program, you get two free tacos. As long as you’ve earned eight Del Taco points by the time your birthday comes around, you’ll get a free shake on your big day. Those with more points can get a free shake or dessert.

Denny’s Birthday Freebies

While kids eat free at Denny’s everyday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., they can get something free on their birthday, too.

Just sign up for Denny’s Kids’ Birthday Club.

Adults get a birthday freebie at Denny’s, too.

It’s a build your own Grand Slam breakfast.

Firehouse Subs

When you join the Firehouse Subs rewards program, appropriately called Firehouse Rewards, you’ll get a free medium sub sandwich on your birthday when you make a purchase.

Fogo de Chao

Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian steakhouse with an eClub.

On your birthday, Fogo sends you an email coupon for free food.

Jamba Juice Jamba Rewards

Members of the Jamba Juice Jamba Rewards program get a free smoothie on their birthday — as long as they’ve earned at least 15 points in their account.

Kona Grill

At Kona Grill, you can enjoy American cuisine and sushi, along with plenty of cocktails.

You can also enjoy a freebie on your birthday if you’re a member of the Konavore Rewards program.

So, what’s the birthday freebie from Kona Grill?

My sources tell me it’s a free appetizer.

You’ll receive a coupon by email or text before your big day.

Krispy Kreme Rewards

When it comes to doughnuts, I’m like Homer Simpson. “Donuts, good!” So, I was thrilled to learn that Krispy Kreme has a rewards program that includes a free donut on your birthday. As far as that birthday reward goes, here’s what Krispy Kreme says:

“Birthday Rewards are valid from the 1st day of the birthday month until the last day of the birthday month.”

Landry’s Select Club Birthday Freebies

To get your birthday freebies at any of the Landry’s-owned restaurants, you’ll need to sign up for the Landry’s Select Club.

FYI, Landry’s restaurants include McCormick & Schmick and Joe’s Crab Shack.

Anyway, for your birthday month, you’ll receive a $25 birthday reward to use at the restaurant.

That’s super generous!

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Upon signing up for Maggiano’s Little Italy email, you’ll get a $10 off coupon to use on your next visit.

Then, before your birthday, you’ll get a coupon for that freebie.

Marie Callender’s

The chain Marie Callenders has restaurants in five Western states, plus Texas.

Its restaurant customers can enjoy birthday gifts.

That gift is likely to be a coupon for $5 off your meal.

In addition, you’ll get a free piece of pie for dessert.

Max & Erma’s Birthday Freebies

Here’s how you get a birthday freebie at Max & Erma’s.

One, you’ll need to sign up for the Max & Erma’s Good Neighbors rewards program.

And, two, you have to download the app to your phone to qualify for your birthday gift at this restaurant.

Mimi’s Cafe

Sign up for Mimi’s Cafe’s Club Fun e-Club for your freebies.

First, you’ll get a coupon for free muffins upon signing up.

Next, around the time of your birthday, you’ll get a BOGO (buy one, get one free) meal on your anniversary.

Medieval Times Birthday Freebies

Enjoy free jousting and a meal at Medieval Times on your birthday when you join the Queens Court rewards club.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Don’t you love the play on words with this chain, Nothing Bundt Cakes — nothing BUT cakes? Anyway, if you sign up for the store’s eClub, you’ll get a free Bundtlet on your birthday. What’s a Bundtlet? An individually packaged personal Bundt Cake.

Olive Garden

According to Olive Garden, you can receive a free dessert when you dine in person at your local Olive Garden location. It’s not clear if you simply show identification to prove your birthday or if Olive Garden sends you something as a rewards member via email when you join their eClub. I’ll keep looking to nail down these details.

On the Border Birthday Freebies

Free Queso or empanadas when you sign up for On The Border’s email club.

Plus, you don’t even have to wait until your birthday to redeem!

P.F. Chang’s Birthday Freebies

You’ll need to join the P.F. Chang’s rewards club in order to enjoy your birthday freebies.

And what would those freebies be?

A complimentary appetizer or dessert of your choice to enjoy any time during your birthday month.

Panera Bread

It used to be that you got a free cookie from Panera during your birthday month. You got this through MyPanera, the rewards program. However, I went to Panera during my birthday month to meet a friend for lunch.

When I placed my order, I asked the cashier if a free chocolate chipper cookie popped up as my birthday freebie. She told me that, these days, your birthday freebie should be activated after your birthday has come and gone. This is probably designed to get you to come back to Panera.

Anyway, I couldn’t get back to Panera during my birthday month. But before the month was over, I checked in the Panera app and guess what? No birthday freebie. It appears that if you don’t visit Panera a certain number of times or spend a certain amount of money in the month, no birthday freebie is forthcoming. I’m not happy about this change. Let me know if you’ve found this to be true, too.

Pinkberry birthday freebie

When you download the Pinkberry app and activate it in store with a Pinkberry card, you’ll be able to get free frozen yogurt on your birthday. Also, after you’ve made 10 purchases in store, you’ll get another free frozen yogurt to enjoy.

Red Lobster

Red Lobster says you get a free birthday reward on your special day. Is it free lobster? Or free Cheddar Bay biscuits? Who knows. But at least you’re getting something for free, right?

Red Robin Birthday Freebies

Red Robin gives you a free burger to chow down on when it’s your birthday.

I love Red Robin fries!

Rita’s Ice Birthday Freebies

Rita’s Ice is one of my favorite places to go for Italian ice.

It’s also one of my favorite places for freebies.

First, Rita’s always hands out free Italian ice on the first day of spring.

It’s the first day they’re open for the season.

But, second, Rita’s will also give you a free Italian ice on your birthday, when you join their rewards club.

Plus, if your birthday falls during a month when Rita’s locations are closed (aka winter), you’ll get a birthday reward on your half birthday.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

When you sign up for “The Dish,” Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s newsletter, you’ll get $5 off an entree.

While completing the sign-up form, be sure to include your birthday.

Because around the time of your birthday, expect a coupon for a free piece of chocolate cake.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

If you decide to dine at Ruth’s Chris Steak House for your birthday, you’ll get a free dessert to share at the end of your meal.

Just make sure you’ve signed up for the restaurant’s email list in advance!

Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday Freebies

I love stopping into my local Sephora during my birthday month. That’s because Sephora will help you feel pretty on your birthday with a free birthday gift of makeup.

You need to physically visit a Sephora location during the two weeks surrounding your birthday to receive this gift–and there’s no purchase necessary.

I believe you can get this freebie at Sephora inside JCPenney, too.

Sephora appears in this article about stores with a birthday discount.

Sprinkles Cupcakes

When you join Sprinkles Cupcakes Perks loyalty program, you’ll get a free cupcake on your birthday. Sprinkles says that the Birthday Perk is loaded the Wednesday before your birthday in your account, and then you have 30 days to redeem

Starbucks Free Birthday Drink or Food

Directly from the horse’s mouth–or the Starbucks website–on how the Starbucks birthday freebie works:

“To redeem your Birthday Reward, you must join Starbucks Rewards at least seven (7) days prior to your birthday, provide your birthday in your Starbucks Rewards account information, and have made at least one Star-earning transaction prior to your birthday each year.

You will receive an email two (2) days before your birthday reminding you to come in and enjoy a free food or beverage item on us. Your Reward must be redeemed on your birthday. Just present your registered Starbucks Card or Starbucks Mobile app to the barista at a participating store to redeem it.

When you have a Birthday Reward – you are eligible for almost anything on the menu – including one complimentary handcrafted beverage (standard Starbucks® menu sizes only), or one food item or one ready-to-drink bottled beverage such as an Evolution Fresh™ juice.”

So, basically, as long as you joined the Starbucks reward program in advance of your birthday, you’ll get a free birthday drink or free food product on your special day.

Here’s the deal on the annual free reusable Starbucks holiday cup giveaway.

Here’s what my birthday freebie from Starbucks looked like on my most recent birthday. I ordered breakfast in the Starbucks app, and I got my breakfast sandwich for free. That was $6 plus that I did not spend on breakfast for myself that day.

Steak N Shake

On the Steak N Shake eClub sign-up form, this family-friendly restaurant asks for your birthday.

Then it promises to send you “a little something extra on those dates to help you celebrate” on that day.

Also, my sources tell me that the birthday freebie Steak N Shake offers is free food.

What’s the free food? A cheeseburger and fries.

Texas de Brazil

When you sign up for the Texas de Brazil e-club, right away you get a coupon to save $20 on your first two meals.

There is more good stuff to come from this Brazilian steakhouse.

This good stuff includes free food on your birthday.

Texas Roadhouse Birthday Freebies

Texas Roadhouse refers to its birthday freebie, when you sign up for their VIP club, as a “birthday surprise.”

Wish I knew what the surprise was but at least it will be free!

Birthday Freebies for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Not sure how these birthday freebies work in real life?

Here is a round up of freebies I could get one year on my birthday.

Breakfast birthday freebies

Here are a half dozen or so breakfast birthday freebies I could consider enjoying on my birthday–and you can, too!

Denny’s

Denny’s will give me a free Grand Slam breakfast on my birthday.

Dunkin’

Because I have a Dunkin’ Perks Account, I’ll get a free medium beverage on my birthday.

I’m trying to figure out, though, how I get that freebie since I haven’t actually received anything from DD lately about that.

Starbucks

Because I recently registered my Starbucks Card in the Starbucks Rewards program, I will “earn” a free drink at Starbucks on my birthday.

The only catch to this freebie is that you must have made a purchase, using that card, within the past 12 months, to qualify.

And I definitely have done that!

Also, you can redeem that free drink with a postcard that Starbucks mails to your home about a week before your birthday.

Nothing has come yet but I’m waiting!

Finally, you can earn cash back with your Starbucks purchase.

How?

When you download the Ibotta app and use it to pay for your Starbucks, you’ll earn free cashback!

Caribou Coffee

You’ll find a similar program for free coffee on your birthday from Caribou Coffee.

Einstein Brothers Bagels

I’m definitely popping over to my local Einstein Brothers Bagels location, where on my birthday, I’ll get a free bagel breakfast sandwich when I purchase my coffee.

IHOP

The breakfast options keep coming: IHOP will also give me free breakfast on my birthday.

In fact, when I signed up for the “pancake revolution,” I got a coupon for a free meal, and they’ll send me another one on my year anniversary of registering!

IHOP has its own food holiday each year.

Lunch or dinner birthday freebies

Freebies for your birthday lunch or dinner.

Check out your options here!

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Welcome to Moe’s!

Yup, Moe’s Southwest Grill, one of my favorite “fast food” restaurants.

I’m heading to Moe’s for lunch on my birthday so I can get my free burrito.

I also got free queso–libre cheese?–when I signed up.

Ruby Tuesday

I’ll have to consider stopping by Ruby Tuesday for dinner.

Ruby Tuesday gives you a free handcrafted burger on your birthday.

I wonder if they’ll substitute a veggie burger for a meat one, now that I’m a vegetarian?!

Ruby Tuesday is the place with endless fries, right?

Who doesn’t love fries!

Buca di Beppo

If only there was a Buca di Beppo location close by.

Not only do you get a free brownie on your birthday, but when you sign up for the Buca di Beppo eClub, you get a free appetizer just for signing up and then a free dessert on your wedding anniversary.

Looking for other freebies for your wedding anniversary? I’ve got you covered in this article right here.

Houlihan’s

Houlihan’s is offering a free entree on your birthday.

Spaghetti Warehouse

Wow, Spaghetti Warehouse gives you a free full meal on your birthday.

This includes a free entree and free dessert.

Mamma mia!

Free dessert for my birthday

Of course, I want cake and whatever else I can get as a free dessert on my birthday.

Who doesn’t love free dessert?

Baskin-Robbins

Unfortunately, I waited too long to take advantage of Baskin-Robbins birthday freebie of a free scoop of ice cream.

When you go to sign up, it says that you have to give them 5 days notice to get your free ice cream coupon.

Bummer!

Planet Smoothie

My daughters love to stop at our nearby Planet Smoothie after sporting events.

Their smoothies are so refreshing.

Turns out Planet Smoothie offers medium-sized smoothies on your birthday.

Free stuff for my birthday 

Here is yet one more of the birthday freebies I plan to take advantage of this year.

Sephora

Now that I’m a member of Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday, I qualify for free products on my birthday. Sweet!

List of birthday freebies sign ups

Here is the list of birthday freebie links so you can sign up for the companies I’ve mentioned in this blog post about the best birthday freebies.

Then, you can start enjoying birthday freebies as soon as your next birthday rolls around.

AMC Theatres

AMC Stubs Insider members enjoy a free, large popcorn during their birthday month!

Applebee’s birthday freebie link

Share your email with Applebee’s to get your birthday freebies.

Auntie Anne Pretzel Perks

Join the Auntie Anne’s rewards program and download the Auntie Anne’s app called Pretzel Perks.

Baskin-Robbins birthday freebie link

Join the birthday club at Baskin-Robbins to get free ice cream on your birthday!

Ben and Jerrys birthday loyalty program link

Sign up from Ben and Jerry’s Flavor Fanatics to get free ice cream on your birthday.

Brio Tuscan Grille birthday freebie link

You have to sign up for the My Brio Rewards program to get this birthday freebie.

Bruegger’s Bagels Birthday Freebie

You’ll need to join Bruegger’s Bagels’ Inner Circle rewards program to get free stuff on your birthday.

Buca di Beppo birthday freebie link

When you join the Buca di Beppo eClub, you’ll qualify for a birthday freebie.

Buffalo Wild Wings rewards

When you sign up for Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin’ Rewards, you’ll get six free wings during your birthday month.

California Pizza Kitchen birthday freebie link

Only kids get free pizza at California Pizza Kitchen on their birthday.

Chili’s birthday freebie link

It’s a free dessert on your birthday when you register for My Chili’s Rewards.

Cold Stone Creamery birthday freebie link

The way to get your freebie, which is ice cream, not surprisingly, is to sign up for the Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Club.

DQ birthday freebie link

You have to join the DQ email club and on your birthday you’ll receive a BOGO coupon–buy one Blizzard, get one free.

Del Taco freebies link

Sign up for the Del Taco “Del Yeah Rewards” loyalty program for your birthday freebie.

Denny’s birthday freebie link

You’ll qualify for a free Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday when you sign up for Denny’s email club.

Firehouse Subs

Sign up for the Firehouse Subs rewards program here.

Jamba Juice Jamba Rewards

Sign up for the Jamba Rewards for a free smoothie on your birthday.

Krispy Kreme Rewards

Here is the Krispy Kreme Rewards sign up link.

Landry’s (McCormick & Schmick, Joe’s Crab Shack) birthday freebie link

It is the Landry’s Select Club that gets you your birthday freebies at the restaurants it owns.

Max & Erma’s birthday freebie link

You’ll need to sign up for and download the app for the Max & Erma’s rewards program in order to get a birthday freebies plus other goodies.

Medieval Times birthday freebie link

Enjoy free jousting and a meal at Medieval Times on your birthday when you join the Queens Court rewards club.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Join the Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub here.

On the Border birthday freebie link

Sign up for On The Border’s email club

P.F. Chang’s birthday freebie link

P.F. Chang’s rewards is part of the P.F. Chang’s app.

Panera Bread birthday freebie link

Not only can you use the MyPanera rewards club membership to get a freebie on your birthday, but also you can sign up for an unlimited coffee plan!

Pinkberry birthday freebie link

Download the Pinkberry app to get your free frozen yogurt on your birthday.

Red Lobster

Join Red Lobster Rewards to get a free birthday reward on your special day.

Red Robin birthday freebie link

You’ll need to register for the Red Robin eClub to get your delicious birthday benefit.

Rita’s Italian Ice birthday freebie link

Join the Rita’s rewards loyalty club to enjoy a free sweet treat on your birthday.

Sprinkles Cupcakes birthday freebie link

Sign up for Sprinkles Perks for a free cupcake on your birthday.

Starbucks Rewards birthday freebie link

When you join the Starbucks Rewards program, you can enjoy rewards and freebies all year long, including on your birthday.

Texas Roadhouse birthday freebie link

It is membership in the Texas Roadhouse VIP club that qualifies you for a birthday freebie.

Final thoughts on birthday freebies

Have I missed any freebies that you were able to get for your birthday?

Do you work for a company that offers birthday freebies and I haven’t included you in this post?

Please leave a comment and share the details.

I’ll update this article as soon as I can.