Turning another year older doesn’t just mean getting wiser; it also means you’re entitled to some fantastic birthday freebies! Many businesses throughout the U.S. understand the importance of celebrating birthdays, especially for older adults. A wide range of establishments offer complimentary treats, discounts, and surprises to help you make the most of your special day.
Where Can You Get Free Stuff for Your Birthday?
There are many things you can get for free on your birthday, far beyond the ones you may already know about like IHOP and Starbucks. We’re talking about things like movie tickets, coffee, desserts, ice cream, clothing, and your favorite beauty products. All that’s usually involved is to sign up for an email list or download an app to take advantage of these rewards. The rules for redeeming your rewards vary based on the program so make sure to read the fine print for those that interest you.
We compiled a comprehensive list of places below where you can get free birthday rewards for your special day!
Birthday Freebies Food at Restaurants
Birthday food freebies are all over the place! Many restaurants offer free meals or discounts on your birthday. Some popular options include:
- ABUELO’S: Receive a “special reward” for your birthday when you join the Mi Abuelo’s Rewards program.
- APPLEBEE’S Free dessert on your birthday. Join Applebee’s Club.
- AU BON PAN: Free lunch on your birthday. Sign up for Au Bon Pan’s eClub.
- AUNTIE ANNE’S: Download the Pretzel Perks app and get a free pretzel after your first purchase of $1 or more. Plus, you’ll get a free pretzel on your birthday as long as you’ve spent at least $10 over the past year.
- BD’S MONGOLIAN GRILL: Free bowl on your birthday. Sign up for BD’s Rewards.
- BENIHANA’S: $30 Benihana Birthday Certificate Mon-Thurs during your birthday month (Mon-Thurs) with initial purchase of $30. Join The Chef’s Table.
- BJ’S RESTAURANT AND BREWHOUSE: Free birthday Pizookie claimed up to seven days before or seven days after your birthday. Join BJ’s Premier Rewards Plus.
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS: Sign up for Blazin’ Rewards to get six free birthday wings during your birth month.
- CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: Free dessert on your birthday, upgraded to a free entrée when you earn enough CPK Rewards member points. Sign up for CPK Rewards.
- CAPITAL GRILLE: Free dessert on your birthday (no sign-up necessary).
- CAVA: As long as you’ve spent at least $100 in your entire life with your CAVA Rewards account, you’ll get a $9 birthday credit
- CHILI’S: Free dessert on your birthday, one week before, or one week after. Join My Chili’s Rewards.
- CHIPOTLE: Join the Chipotle rewards program to get free guac on your birthday.
- EL POLLO LOCO: $5-$10 reward for your birthday with points. Sign up for the Loco Rewards app.
- GRIMALDI’S PIZZERIA: Free 16-inch one-topping pizza with a previous purchase. Join the Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Rewards program.
- GORDON BIERSCH: Birthday e-gifts. Sign up for Passport Rewards.
- HARD ROCK: Sign up for Unity by Hard Rock to get a free dessert from the cafe on your birthday.
- JAMBA JUICE: Free smoothie with at least 15 Rewards points accrued. Join Jamba Rewards.
- JUNIOR’S CHEESECAKE: Free slice of cheesecake for your birthday. Join Junior’s Birthday Club.
- MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL: Free burrito on your birthday. Join Moe Rewards.
- NOTHING BUNDT CAKES: A free mini bundt cake for your birthday. Join the club.
- ON THE BORDER: Special birthday surprise. Join the Border Rewards Program.
- PEI WEI: Sign up for My Wei Rewards and choose from these birthday freebies: crab wontons, traditional edamame, vegetable spring rolls or pork egg roll. The reward will automatically appear in your app seven days prior to your birthday, but you’ll have to order and pay for either a small plate or soft drink during your birthday month in order to claim it.
- PAPA JOHN’S A free dessert during your birthday at participating restaurants. Sign up for Papa Rewards.
- PF CHANGS: A complimentary dessert or appetizer during your birthday month. Join the rewards program.
- PIZZA HUT: Special birthday reward on your birthday. Join Hut Rewards.
- QUIZNO’S: Buy one 8″ sub and get a free one on your birthday. Join Quizno’s rewards program.
- RED LOBSTER: Surprise birthday freebies and discounts. Join My Red Lobster Rewards.
- RED ROBIN: A free burger during your birthday month. Join Red Robin Royalty Rewards.
- SPRINKLES: Receive a free cupcake (make that a baker’s dozen if you’re a Red Velvet tier member) for your birthday when you join Sprinkles Perks.
- TACO BELL: Free regular-size Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze. Join Taco Bell Rewards.
- TGIFRIDAYS: A free birthday surprise. Join the Friday’s Rewards program.
- WETZEL’S PRETZEL: Free pretzel on your birthday. Download the Wetzel’s App.
- WHICH WICH: Free sandwich with at least one purchase made in the previous 11 months. Sign up for Vibe Club Rewards.
- YARD HOUSE: Free dessert with birthday meal. Join the Yard House eClub.
Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Birthday Freebies
Who doesn’t love free ice cream and frozen yogurt on their birthday?
- A&W: Free root beer float. Join the A&W Mug Club.
- ARBY’S Free 12-ounce milkshake on your birthday with purchase. Join Arby’s Club.
- BASKIN-ROBBINS: A free scoop of ice cream; valid for 10 days. Join the Birthday Club.
- BEN & JERRY’S: Sign up to be a Flavor Fanatic and get free ice cream for your birthday.
- BURGERFI: Free frozen custard shake (and free fries!). Join BurgerFi Rewards.
- CHEESECAKE FACTORY: Free sundae with a “scoopette” of vanilla ice cream, topped with fudge, whipped cream, confetti pieces, and a candle (no signup necessary).
- COLD STONE CREAMERY: Get a BOGO coupon for your birthday by signing up for the My Cold Stone Club. You’ll also get a BOGO coupon just for signing up!
- DAIRY QUEEN: A free birthday surprise on your birthday. Join the Blizzard Fan Club.
- DIPPIN’ DOTS: Free small cup of Dippin’ Dots ice cream on your birthday at participating stores. Join the Dot Crazy! Email Club
- DEL TACO: Free regular-size shake or choose between a regular-size shake or dessert, depending on membership level. Join Del Yeah! Rewards.
- SMASHBURGER: Free shake on your birthday. Sign up for SmashRewards.
- SMOOTHIE KING: Birthday smoothie. Join Smoothie King Healthy Rewards.
- TIM HORTONS: Birthday treat. Join Tims Rewards.
Free Birthday Stuff at Coffee Shops
For coffee lovers, your caffeine fix is just around the corner. Check out the free birthday stuff you can get at coffee shops.
- BIGGBY COFFEE: Free drink up to 24 ounces. Join Biggby Coffee e-wards.
- PEET’S COFFEE: Birthday bonus of 25 points, which can be used to add an espresso shot, dairy alternative, sauce, syrup, or topping to any drink. Join Peetnik Rewards.
- SCOOTER’S COFFEE: Free beverage, up to $6. Join Scooter’s Coffee Rewards.
- STARBUCKS: Free birthday drink. Join Starbucks Rewards.
- CARIBOU COFFEE: Free beverage during your birthday week. Join Caribou Perks.
- KRISPY KREME: Free coffee (and donut) during your birthday month. Join Krispy Kreme Rewards.
Breakfast Birthday Freebies
Breakfast birthday freebies are so much fun!
- CINNABON: Subscribe to Cinnabon Rewards to get a free iced coffee on your birthday and a free order of BonBites for signing up.
- DENNY’S Free delicious gift on your birthday. Join Denny’s Rewards program.
- EINSTEIN BROS BAGELS: Free egg sandwich with purchase for your birthday. Join the Shmear Society.
- IHOP: Free birthday pancakes on your birthday. Join the International Bank of Pancakes rewards program.
Best Clothing Birthday Freebies
Check out all these retail stores that offer clothing birthday freebies!
- AMERICAN EAGLE: 15% to 25% off one item, depending on membership level. Sign up for Real Rewards.
- BANANA REPUBLIC: Free birthday gift. Sign up for Banana Republic Loyalty Rewards.
- DSW: $5 to $10 off, depending on membership level. Sign up for DSW VIP.
- EDDIE BAUER: Free birthday gift. Sign up for Adventure Rewards.
- FINISH LINE: Free birthday gift. Sign up for the Status Loyalty Program.
- FOOT LOCKER: Free surprise birthday gift. Sign up for FLX Rewards.
- GAP: Free birthday bonus perks. Sign up for Gap Good Rewards.
- GYMBOREE: 20% to 25% off for your birthday. Sign up for My Place Rewards.
- H&M: A free birthday treat. Sign up for the H&M Loyalty Program.
- J. CREW: $10 to $20 discount code, depending on membership level. Sign up for J. Crew Rewards.
- JCPenney: Free birthday gift. Sign up for JCPenney Rewards.
- KOHL’S: Receive $5 Kohl’s Cash for your birthday when you sign up for Kohl’s Rewards. Join Kohl’s Rewards.
- LACOSTE: Birthday discount. Sign up for Le Club Lacoste.
- LANE BRYANT: Birthday offer. Sign up for Lane Rewards.
- LORD & TAYLOR: 100 points on your birthday. Sign up for The VIP Club.
- MACY’S: Birthday surprise. Sign up for Macy’s Star Rewards.
- OLD NAVY: Free birthday gift. Sign up for Navyist Rewards.
- REEBOK: $10 or $20 off a purchase of $50 or more, or $30 to $40 off a purchase of $75 or more, depending on membership level. Sign up for Reebok UNLOCKED.
- SOMA: Birthday offer. Sign up for Soma Rewards.
- TARGET: Get 5% off a single purchase, valid for up to 30 days after your birthday. Sign up for Target Circle Rewards.
- THE CHILDREN’S PLACE: 20% to 25% off, plus automatic entry into a $50 gift card drawing for each birthday month and additional partner perks (up to 4 children’s birthdays per profile). Sign up for My Place Rewards.
- AVEDA: A free 30 ML. Aromatic Nourishing Composition Oil with a purchase made in the 12 months preceding your birthday month. Join the rewards program.
- BATH & BODY WORKS: When you sign up for Bath & Body Works Loyalty Rewards, you’ll get a free “birthday gift” on your big day.
- BENEFIT COSMETICS: A free brow arch service the week of your birthday. Call your local Benefit for more information.
- CVS: Shoppers who sign up for ExtraCare Beauty Club receive ExtraBucks Rewards on their birthday. Join the ExtraCare Beauty Club.
- KIEHL’S Free birthday gift. Sign up for Kiehl’s Family Rewards.
- LANCOME: Free surprise birthday gift. Sign up for Lancome Elite Rewards.
- SEPHORA: Birthday gifts such as a makeup or skincare product with online signup and previous purchase. Become a Sephora Beauty Insider Member
- THE BODY SHOP A $10 reward to use during your birthday month. Join the Love Your Body Club.
- ULTA: A free beauty gift on your birthday. Join the Ultimate Rewards program.
More Birthday Freebies
- BUILD-A-BEAR: Birthday surprise for every birthday on your account. Sign up for the Bonus Club.
- EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS: Join Edible Rewards and receive a free 6-count chocolate-dipped fruit box (valued at $12.99) during your birthday month as long as you’ve spent at least $29 in the past calendar year.
- KENDRA SCOTT JEWELRY: Kendra Scott Insiders receive a birthday discount of 50% off one piece of jewelry, plus additional discounts. Become a Kendra Scott Insider.
- PETCO: A surprise treat for your pet’s birthday…because why should you get all the freebies?! Join the Vital Core program.
- VERA BRADLEY: 25% off, in email. Sign up for VB Emails.
Freebies for Your Birthday at Shoe Stores
Several shoe stores offer birthday rewards for their loyal customers. Here are a few we found.
- FAMOUS FOOTWEAR: $5 birthday reward cash and 2X points per dollar on all purchases during your birthday month. Sign up for Famously You Rewards.
- RACK ROOM SHOES: $10 reward to use during your birthday month. Sign up for Rack Room Rewards.
Entertainment and Leisure – Free Stuff for Your Birthday
Looking for free stuff for your birthday related to entertainment and leisure? Here are a few good ones we found.
- ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE: A free sweet for your birthday. Sign up for Victory Benefits.
- AMC THEATRES: A free popcorn (and, for higher tiers of the free membership program, a large fountain drink, too) during your birthday month. Join AMC Stubs.
- ANGELIKA THEATRES: 1 Day of free endless popcorn for yourself and 1 guest during your birthday month. Sign up for Angelika Membership.
- REGAL THEATRES: Free popcorn on your birthday. Sign up for the Regal Crown Club.
How Did Birthday Freebies and Discounts Become a “Thing”?
The tradition of offering birthday freebies and discounts evolved and is now an important component of marketing strategies for many organizations. Businesses use these programs to attract and retain customers, foster loyalty, and create positive brand associations.
The concept of customer loyalty dates back to the late 18th century when retailers would give out copper tokens to customers as a reward for their frequent visits. These tokens could be redeemed for goods on their next visit. This laid the foundation for the idea of rewarding loyal customers. In the mid-20th century, retail businesses started using promotions and discounts to attract and retain customers. This led to the introduction of special offers on customers’ birthdays as a way to show appreciation for their patronage.
With the rise of chain restaurants and businesses in the mid-20th century, many of these establishments began offering birthday freebies and discounts as a way to differentiate themselves from competitors and build customer loyalty. Later, as technology advanced, businesses started collecting more customer data and adopted targeted marketing strategies. Offering birthday rewards became a way to personalize marketing efforts and build stronger customer relationships.
Loyalty programs became increasingly popular as the years went on. Businesses across various industries, including restaurants, retail, and online services, began offering birthday rewards as part of these programs to encourage customers to sign up and keep coming back. The advent of social media and digital marketing further popularized birthday freebies. Businesses found it easier to promote these offers online, reach a wider audience, and encourage customers to share their experiences, thus creating buzz around their brands. Over time, customers came to expect birthday rewards as part of their interactions with businesses. More and more businesses adopted these practices to remain competitive.
In essence, birthday freebies and discounts are now a common marketing tool for businesses. It’s a win-win situation where businesses benefit from increased customer retention and word-of-mouth marketing while making their customers feel special.
Ready to Get Some Free Birthday Stuff?
Growing older has its perks, and one of them is enjoying a variety of birthday freebies and discounts from businesses that appreciate your patronage. Whether you’re craving a delicious meal, a sweet treat, or a new outfit there’s something for everyone to enjoy on their special day. So, go ahead, embrace your age, and take advantage of these fantastic birthday offers! And if you know of others that we should add to the list, please share in the comment section below!
Note: The information in this post was accurate as of the publication date. However, sometimes rules for birthday freebies change, so contact your local venue to ask for the current rules of the deal.
Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.
