I don’t know about you, but I love free things! And what better time to snag some freebies than on your birthday? If you frequently visit certain restaurants or retailers, you might be surprised to learn that many of them offer special rewards and gifts just for your big day. These birthday freebies are a fun way to treat yourself, and collecting them can even become an exciting activity as you go from place to place redeeming all your goodies.
For this list of birthday freebies, be sure to check each restaurant’s or retailer’s rules and regulations, as they may change over time. However, I’ve specifically focused on places that offer completely free items (no spending required!). Unlike deals that require a purchase to get a discount or a bonus item, or you have to make a prior purchase throughout the year; these birthday treats are 100% free as of March 2025.
Birthday Freebies
IHOP
If you love pancakes, then check out IHOP for a stack of free pancakes. Just sign up for their rewards program, and you’ll get to enjoy a delicious breakfast treat on your special day. (no purchase necessary!)
Baskin Robbins
Free ice cream? YES PLEASE! Celebrate your birthday with a free scoop of your favorite flavor at Baskin Robbins. Just sign up for their rewards program and enjoy a sweet treat on your special day!
Buffalo Wild Wings
Whether you’re team flats or drumsticks, you can enjoy a free six-piece order of wings on your birthday when you sign up for Buffalo Wild Wings’ Blazin’ Rewards program. Just sign up, and when your birthday rolls around, you can treat yourself to some delicious wings (no purchase necessary).
Chilis
When you sign up for the Chili’s reward program, you can redeem a free dessert on your birthday. From past experiences, the birthday dessert has been a molten lava cake.
Dutch Bros Coffee
Join Dutch Rewards for a free drink of any size on your birthday.
RELATED: 20 Breakfast Ideas to Help Celebrate Your Birthday
Chick-fil-A
Eat more chicken… or maybe eat more sweets on your birthday! Sign up for Chick-fil-A’s reward program to receive “something sweet” on your special day. While it’s typically a free cookie, your individual birthday offer may vary, so be sure to check what treat you’ll be getting.
Nothing Bundt cakes
Sweeten up your birthday with a free bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes! Simply sign up for their eClub rewards program, and you can redeem your birthday offer for a delicious mini cake in your favorite flavor.
Panera Bread
Continuing with our sweet treats, if you sign up for the MyPanera Rewards program, you can snag a free pastry on your birthday. Whether you’re craving a cinnamon roll, a chocolate chip cookie, or a croissant, it’s the perfect way to add a little extra sweetness to your day.
Birthday Food Freebies
Shake Shack
Add your birthday to your Shake Shack profile on the app, and you’ll score a free birthday milkshake. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your special day with a sweet and creamy treat—no purchase required.
Krispy Kreme Donuts
If you love glazed donuts, sign up for Krispy Kreme’s rewards program to snag some free donuts on your birthday.
CAVA
Join CAVA Rewards to get a “birthday reward” on your big day. The reward can be used for a free large drink, pita chip, or dessert item.
Dave and Busters
Now, this one is a non-food-related birthday freebie! Sign up for Dave & Buster’s rewards program, and you’ll receive free game credits to use on arcade games. Plus, if you want to keep the fun going, you can always reload your account with more credits while you’re there!
Einstein Bros Bagels
Get a free egg sandwich when you join Einstein’s Shmear Society rewards program.
Where to Get Free Birthday Freebies
The list above includes places that offer birthday freebies without requiring a prior purchase or an additional purchase to redeem your reward. However, it’s also worth checking if your favorite restaurants and stores have birthday rewards available. Before your birthday, look into the places you visit often and see if they offer any perks. This way, you can sign up for their rewards program in advance.
For example, with Starbucks, you need to have the Starbucks app and make a purchase using your account before your birthday. Since one of Starbucks’ rules is that you must join Starbucks Rewards at least a week before your birthday and make a purchase to qualify for a birthday reward, planning ahead ensures your freebie will be ready to go when your birthday arrives.
What Places Give Birthday Freebies?
Beyond the list of birthday freebies mentioned earlier, many restaurants and retailers offer special rewards for your birthday. However, it’s important to check their specific rules and regulations to see what you need to do to qualify. The reward itself can vary. It might be 10% off your entire meal, a buy-one-get-one-free deal, or even a free item that requires a prior purchase during the year to be eligible.
Below are some more retailers and restaurants that offer birthday rewards. Be sure to research their specific birthday perks and the terms and conditions of their rewards program to make the most of your birthday freebies.
- Taco Bell
- Starbucks
- Cheesecake Factory
- Smoothie King
- Auntie Anne’s
- Jamba Juice
- Crumbl Cookies
- Famous Footwear
Chipotle
Sign up for the Chipotle Rewards program, and on your birthday, you’ll receive a special birthday reward. I’tll be a free side of (queso or guacamole) with a $5 minimum purchase.
Sephora
If you’re a Sephora Beauty Insider, you can score some free mini samples of beauty products as a birthday treat. And if you’re not a Beauty Insider member yet, it’s free to join, so there’s no reason to miss out! Plus, being a member comes with perks like earning points on purchases and getting exclusive discounts throughout the year.
Ulta
If you sign up for the Ulta Ultimate Rewards program, you can score a free birthday gift during your birthday month. Plus, if you make any purchases during your birthday month, you’ll earn double points toward your loyalty account. Those points add up fast, and you can redeem them later for coupons, discounts, and even free beauty products.
