In my book, your birthday should be a national holiday and should be celebrated as such. The only thing better than eating an insane amount of sugar and receiving presents is when they’re free. There are dozens of restaurants around town that give you free or discounted things for your special day, from coffee to appetizers to dessert. Most require you to sign up for their rewards systems, while a few sneakily require you to buy something to cash in on your birthday freebie. But how are you expected to keep track of them all?! Don’t worry, I’ve put in the work for you, compiling them all into one place so you can go down the list and make the most of your birthday.
AMC
Make sure you’re an AMC Stubs Insider member 30 days before your birthday so you can enjoy a large popcorn on them (and some members also get a free large fountain drink) beginning the first day of the month. amctheatres.com
Applebee’s
If you make a purchase of $15 or more, you can celebrate with a free dessert on your birthday as long as you’re signed up for their email list. applebees.com
Auntie Anne’s
Get a free pretzel at Auntie Anne’s on your birthday with their rewards program as long as you spend $10 annually. autieannes.com
Baskin Robbins
Enjoy this sweet deal—a free scoop of ice cream—when you opt in to the Birthday Club. baskinrobbins.com
Buffalo Wild Wings
Sign up for the Buffalo Circle and you will receive a free order of snack-sized wings (boneless or traditional) at Buffalo Wild Wings. buffalowildwings.com
Cheesecake Factory
Become a Cheesecake Factory Reward Program member and receive a free slice of cheesecake on your birthday with any purchase, which will expire 14 days after your big day. thecheesecakefactory.com
Chick-Fil-A
The more you love Chick-Fil-A, the more they love you. If you’re a Chick-Fil-A One member, you can snag a free chocolate chunk cookie or a chocolate fudge brownie. Silver members can pick any dessert, from a chocolate chunk cookie to a small milkshake or a frosted coffee. Red Members receive their choice of either a grilled or regular sandwich or 8- and 12-count nuggets. Signature Members will receive their choice of entrée. chick-fil-a.com
Chili’s
Snag a free dessert on your birthday with Chili’s rewards. chilis.com
Chipotle
Join Chipotle Rewards for a birthday reward. (The pictured party burrito on their website looks promising…) chipotle.com
Cold Stone Creamery
Create a “Gotta Have It” account and you’ll find yourself with a delicious birthday reward. coldstonecreamery.com
Crumbl
You won’t have a crummy birthday if you join Crumbl’s rewards program—enjoy a free single cookie to use on your birthday. crumblcookies.com
Dairy Queen
If you want the free Blizzard on your birthday (or the 6 days after), make sure to purchase something $1 or more within 45 days leading up to your birthday through your account. The offer will appear in the Deals tab of the DQ app on your birthday. dairyqueen.com
Dunkin’ Donuts
If you’re used to your free drink, you might be disappointed. The DD Perks program has changed—but you do get an all-day bonus of 3X points on any purchases made, so maybe if you buy a lot, you can earn a free drink? You can activate this offer the day before, day of, or day after your birthday. dunkindonuts.com
Firehouse Subs
Join their rewards to snag yourself a sub-none (get it?) medium sub with any purchase for your birthday. It’s valid for 7 days, starting on your birthday. firehousesubs.com
IHOP
If you’re signed up for their rewards program by the first of your birthday month, 5 PanCoinsSM will be deposited into your account, ready to be redeemed for a free full stack. ihop.com
Jason’s Deli
Download the app and add your birthday to your profile so they can send you a sweet treat. jasonsdeli.com
Krispy Kreme
You donut want to miss Krispy Kreme’s birthday 3-count of original glazed donuts. You’ll receive it in your rewards on your birthday. Valid for 30 days. krispykreme.com
Marble Slab Creamery/Great American Cookies
Load up on a free cookie cake slice or small ice cream in-store on your birthday if you’re a rewards member. marbleslab.com
McDonald’s
Download, register, and log in to My McDonald’s app for the perfect midday birthday snack: a free medium order of fries. mcdonalds.com
Nothing Bundt Cakes
There’s nothing “bundt”er than securing a free birthday Bundtlet because you’re part of their e-Club. nothingbundtcakes.com
Olive Garden
Olive Garden guests will be given a complimentary dessert on their birthday when they dine in, and if you’re part of the eClub, you’ll receive special coupons too. olivegarden.com
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse offers a free dessert on your birthday if you’re a member of the Dine Rewards program. outback.com
Papa John’s
Savor a free dessert during your birthday month with Papa Rewards. papajohns.com
Panda Express
Redeem your birthday gift (a selection of choices: a free small entree, a small appetizer, or medium a la carte side) through the app when you’re a rewards member. pandaexpress.com
Panera Bread
Join the MyPanera program for a free pastry on your birthday (or the next six days after). The discount is valid on muffins, cookies, pastries, sweets, and bagels. panerabread.com
P.F. Chang’s
They reward their Chang’s reward members with a complimentary appetizer or dessert of your choice, available anytime during your birthday month. pfchangs.com
Pizza Hut
They’ll have a “pizza” your heart with your free birthday treat if you’re a Hunt Rewards member. titan.pizzahut.com
Smoothie King
Treat yourself to a free 20-ounce smoothie if you’re a Champion-level member, and a $2 20-ounce smoothie if you’re a Healthy Rewards member! smoothieking.com
Sonic
Sonic takes the *shake* with one free small classic milkshake and a free small side dropping into your Sonic app rewards when your birthday month starts. sonics-menu.com
Starbucks
On your actual birthday, as long as you’re a member of Starbucks Rewards and your birthday’s in the system, you can scan your account for a complimentary handcrafted drink, one food item, or one ready-to-drink bottled drink. starbucks.com
Subway
The higher your rank in the MVP Rewards program, the better your birthday prize: Pro members get a cookie, Captain members receive a cookie and a 20-ounce fountain drink, and All-Star members get a 6-inch sub. The reward is good for 2 weeks after your birthday. subway.com
Taco Bell
Let’s taco ‘bout the Taco Bell Rewards member gift you’ll get on your birthday. tacobell.com
TCBY
Yo! You get a birthday froyo up to a $5 value when you’re in the TCBY Froyo Club (valid for 45 days). tcby.com
Texas Roadhouse
Get a free dessert by letting the server know and providing an ID, or join their VIP Club to get a free appetizer or sidekick of ribs (varies by location) and dessert. (And don’t forget to ride the saddle!) texasroadhouse-menus.com
Shake Shack
Add your birthday to your profile on the Shack App or website and opt in to marketing emails and they’ll send you something sweet on your birthday. shakeshack.com
Waffle House
Start your birthday off right with a free classic waffle. wafflehouse.com