50+ Restaurants that Give You Free Food for Signing Up
Burgers, ice cream, drinks and more! I have compiled as many free offers as I could verify in the following giant list of free food you can currently get at restaurants for signing up to their rewards program.
Many popular national restaurant chains, along with some of their smaller rivals, have discovered that offering free food is a great way to get customers into their stores. (Guys, do you think they are on to us?)
How Do I Get Free Food?
You can sign up for a restaurant’s rewards program (assuming they have one) online. Visit their sign-up page, fill in some basic information about yourself (like your name, email, and typically also your birthday — for your special birthday treat, of course!), hit submit and wait for your confirmation email to show up.
The follow up email will include instructions on how to redeem all the sweet perks the restaurant offers like exclusive deals, store points to apply to future purchases, and early notification of promotions.
Are There Any Catches?
Unfortunately, a few restaurants require a bit more work to earn our reward, like having to download and use their app, or even having to make a small purchase to get our freebie (if an offer requires more than just a small purchase, then it won’t be included in this page). I’ve added a little note next to every offer that takes extra time or effort to obtain.
Another thing to keep in mind is that while a few of these restaurants are local, most are regional or nation-wide. I have also added a link to the restaurant’s locations page, in case you want to find the nearest branch of that restaurant.
Also, keep in mind that just because a restaurant chain is running a free offer doesn’t mean that every single branch within that chain is also running that offer. Individual branches often have a lot of say in what promos they can run, so you might want to double check with your nearest store to see if they are indeed running the freebie offer you are interested in before handing them your email address.
Tip: Speaking of emails, it’s never a bad idea to make a separate email account just to sign up for online deals so your real email doesn’t get mercilessly spammed. Then, every so often (say, just before your birthday or major holidays, when the best offers are likely) check your, er… fake email to see if any restaurant has sent you a nice little freebie.
The Giant List of Restaurant Freebies
Whether you are in the mood for a free burger, a cool creamy dessert or a refreshing drink, this list will show you where you can sign up to be rewarded with a delicious treat!
- Acapulco
Menu & Locations: Mexican restaurant with only 4 locations, all in Southern California.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer. You also get a free entrée on your birthday. - Applebee’s
Menu & Locations: Casual American food with national-wide locations.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer after buying an entrée. - Andy’s Frozen Custard
Menu & Locations: Ice cream chain located across the Midwest and South.
Offer: Sign up to get a free treat. - Arby’s
Menu & Locations: Nation-wide chain offering casual American food.
Offer: Sign up to get free small fries and a small soft drink with any signature sandwich purchase. - Auntie Anne’s
Menu & Locations: Nation-wide pretzel chain.
Offer: Sign up to get a free pretzel after you make your first purchase of at least $1. - Baja Fresh
Menu & Locations: Casual Tex-Mex with locations throughout the US.
Offer: Sign up to get $5 off your order. They also give you a treat on your birthday. - Bahama Breeze
Menu & Locations: Caribbean-inspired food mostly located in the East Coast.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer. You also get a free gift on your birthday. - Baskin Robbins
Menu & Locations: Ice cream chain all over the US.
Offer: Sign up and download their app to get a free regular scoop of ice cream. - Backyard Burgers
Menu & Locations: Serving American food across the Midwest and the South.
Offer: Sign up for a free Backyard Classic burger. - BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Menu & Locations: Serving American cuisine with restaurants across the US.
Offer: Sign up for a free Pizookie (a combination between “pizza” and “cookie”). - Black Angus
Menu & Locations: Specializing in steaks, with restaurants located mostly in California and a few in other western states (including Hawaii and Alaska).
Offer: Sign up and get a free dessert. You also get a free steak dinner on your birthday! - Blimpie
Menu & Locations: Offering sub sandwiches with locations throughout the country.
Offer: Sign up and get a free regular sub with purchase of a sub and drink. - Bojangles’
Menu & Locations: Specializing in fried chicken with restaurants mostly in the South.
Offer: Sign up to get a free half gallon of iced tea with any purchase along with a free Bo-Berry Biscuit on your birthday. - Buca di Beppo
Menu & Locations: Italian chain with 70+ restaurants across the US.
Offer: Sign up to receive a $10 gift. - California Pizza Kitchen
Menu & Locations: Pizza chain with hundreds of restaurants throughout the US.
Offer: Sign up to get a free small plate. They also give you a free dessert on your birthday. - Captain D’
Menu & Locations: Seafood chain with locations across the US.
Offer: Sign up and get a free appetizer or dessert. - Caribou Coffee
Menu & Locations: Coffeehouse chain mostly found in the Midwest.
Offer: Sign up to get a free beverage after your first visit. You also get a treat on your birthday . - Carvel
Menu & Locations: Ice cream shop located across the US.
Offer: Sign up to get a free ice cream cone on your birthday . - Checkers
Menu & Locations: Fast food drive-thru with locations around the country.
Offer: Sign up to get a free large fry with any purchase. - Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Menu & Locations: Serving American food with locations in the South and the Midwest.
Offer: Sign up to receive free chips and homemade queso. - Chevys Fresh Mex
Menu & Locations: Mexican casual dining with restaurants located mostly in California, as well as a few in the Midwest and the South.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer. Also receive a free entrée on your birthday. - Chilli’s
Menu & Locations: Casual American dining chain with restaurants throughout the country.
Offer: Sign up to get a free dessert on your birthday. - Chipotle
Menu & Locations: Mexican restaurant with thousands of locations across the country.
Offer: Sign up to get a free order of chips and guac after you make a $5 purchase. - Corner Bakery
Menu & Locations: Breakfast and pastry café with nearly 200 nationwide locations.
Offer: Sign up to get a free bakery treat. - Culvers
Menu & Locations: Casual fast food chain with locations mostly in the Midwest.
Offer: Sign up for a buy one, get one free value basket offer. - Dunkin’ Donuts
Menu & Locations: Bakery and coffee chain with widespread presence across the country.
Offer: Sign up to get a free beverage on your birthday. - Earl of Sandwich
Menu & Locations: Sandwich shop with 33 locations across 12 states.
Offer: Sign up and receive $5 off your purchase. - Einstein Bros Bagels
Menu & Locations: Bagel and sandwich chain with restaurants all across the US.
Offer: Sign up to get a free bagel and shmear (a spread) with purchase. You’ll also get a free egg sandwich with purchase on your birthday. - Firehouse Subs
Menu & Locations: Offering subs and salads at locations all across the country.
Offer: Sign up for a free large drink with the purchase of any sub. - Hardee’s
Menu & Locations: Fast food chain located mostly in the South and the Midwest specializing in burgers.
Offer: Sign up to get a free small fry and drink with purchase of any Western Bacon Cheeseburger. - IHOP
Menu & Locations: Specializing in pancakes and breakfast with locations all across the country.
Offer: Get free pancakes when you sign up, on your birthday, and every anniversary of signing up. - Jimmy John’s
Menu & Locations: Sandwich shop with locations all around the US.
Offer: Sign up for a free sandwich after your first purchase. - Joe’s Crab Shack
Menu & Locations: Seafood-based casual dining with locations across the country.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer. - Johnny Rockets
Menu & Locations: Specializing in sandwiches with restaurants all around the US.
Offer: Sign up and get a free burger. - Krispy Kreme
Menu & Locations: Popular donut chain with shops all over.
Offer: Sign up for a free doughnut of your choice. - Longhorn Steakhouse
Menu & Locations: Casual American food with restaurants around the nation.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer with the purchase of one adult entrée. - Marble Slab Creamery
Menu & Locations: Ice cream shop with locations mostly in the South.
Offer: Sign up for a $5 reward after you make your first purchase. - McDonald’s
Menu & Locations: Needs no introduction. Find your nearest location.
Offer: Sign up to get free medium fries when you download the McDonald’s app. - Mimi’s Cafe
Menu & Locations: Café and bakery with locations in many states.
Offer: Sign up for a free sweet reward on your birthday. - Moe’s Southwest Grill
Menu & Locations: Casual Mexican food with stores all over the US.
Offer: Sign up for a free cup of queso. Also get a free burrito on your birthday. - O’Charley’s
Menu & Locations: Casual dining with restaurants located in the South and the Midwest.
Offer: Sign up and get a free appetizer. - Olive Garden
Menu & Locations: Italian food with restaurants almost everywhere.
Offer: Sign up for a free dessert on your birthday. - On The Border
Menu & Locations: Mexican food with restaurants across the US.
Offer: Sign up for a free bowl of queso with purchase of an entrée. - Papa Gino’s
Menu & Locations: Pizza chain located in New England.
Offer: Sign up by texting PIZZA2 to 40518 and get a free 10″ small cheese pizza. - Pizza Inn
Menu & Locations: Pizzeria chain found in the South.
Offer: Sign up for a free dessert on your birthday. - Raising Cane
Menu & Locations: Fast-food chain specializing in chicken fingers with restaurants across the country.
Offer: Sign up for a free box combo. - Rubio’s Coastal Grill
Menu & Locations: Mexican food specializing in fish tacos with restaurants mostly in the Southwest.
Offer: Download their app and receive a free taco. - Ruby Tuesday
Menu & Locations: Casual dining restaurant located across the US.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer with purchase of one adult entrée. Also get a free burger or salad bar on your birthday with purchase of one adult entrée. - Schlotzsky’s Deli
Menu & Locations: Sandwich shop across the country.
Offer: Download their app and get a free small The Original sandwich. - Sizzler
Menu & Locations: Burgers and steak restaurant located mostly in the West.
Offer: Sign up and receive a free entrée. - Steak ‘n Shake
Menu & Locations: Casual American food with restaurants located mostly in the South and Midwest.
Offer: Sign up for a free Double Cheese ‘n Fries. - Taco Cabana
Menu & Locations: Mexican restaurant with multiple locations around Dallas.
Offer: Sign up and get a free small quesadilla after your first purchase. Also get a surprise on your birthday. - Texas Roadhouse
Menu & Locations: Steakhouse with locations around the country.
Offer: Sign up and receive a free appetizer. - TGI Friday’s
Menu & Locations: Casual dining chain located across the US.
Offer: Sign up and get a choice of either a free appetizer or dessert. - Which Wich
Menu & Locations: Sandwich and salad shop with locations around the nation.
Offer: Sign up and receive a free drink. Also get a free Wich (sandwich) on your birthday. - Wild Wing Cafe
Menu & Locations: Specializing in chicken wings with locations mostly in the South.
Offer: Sign up to get a free appetizer. - Wingstop
Menu & Locations: Chicken wings restaurant located around the country.
Offer: Sign up for a free order of fries. Also get a free gift on your birthday. - Yogurtland
Menu & Locations: Chain of frozen yogurt restaurants located in many states.
Offer: Sign up to receive a free 3-oz frozen yogurt. You also get a free 3-oz frozen yogurt on your birthday. - Zaxby’s
Menu & Locations: Their specialty is chicken with locations mainly in the South and the Midwest.
Offer: Sign up to get a free sandwich meal. Then, on your birthday, get a free Big Zax Snak (chicken fingers with toast).