Birthday bonus: 10 places to eat and drink for free on your special day

From cheesecake to burgers, birthdays can come with quite the lucrative payoff

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Birthdays come once a year, but why not make the most of it with free food and drinks? 

Read on to find out where you can spend your special day collecting free items, including coffees, cheesecakes and more. 

Below are some of the different companies offering birthday freebies, listed in alphabetical order.

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As always, be sure to check with your local location to ensure participation in these promotions. 

1. Buffalo Wild Wings: Six-piece wings 

Members of the Buffalo Wild Wings "Blazin' Rewards" program receive six free wings during their birthday month, according to the Atlanta-based company's website. 

2. Cheesecake Factory: Cheesecake

The Cheesecake Factory's "Cheesecake Rewards" members get a free slice of cheesecake on their birthdays, according to the website for the California-headquartered restaurant. 

A shot of Cheesecake Factory's cheesecake display at the restaurant.

The Cheesecake Factory gives out free slices of cheesecake to its "Cheesecake Rewards" members on their birthdays.  (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

3. Chick-fil-A: Varies

Chick-fil-A's birthday rewards differ by tier of its Chick-fil-A One rewards program. A person gets into different tiers by the amount of food ordered and paid for with the app, according to Chick-fil-A's website. 

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Chick-fil-A One members receive a free chocolate chunk cookie or chocolate fudge brownie.

The next tier, One Silver, members can choose between a free chocolate chunk cookie, chocolate fudge brownie, small milkshake, small frosted lemonade, small frosted coffee, or a small "Icedream" cone or cup.

Chick-fil-A Logo Sign

Chick-fil-A's free birthday reward varies depending on how many Chick-fil-A One points a person has accrued.  (iStock)

The following tier, One Red, members will receive their choice of a free grilled or regular sandwich or 8- and 12-count nuggets. 

The highest tier, One Signature, can get any entrée free. 

4. IHOP: Pancakes

IHOP Rewards members get a free stack of original buttermilk pancakes on their birthday, according to the website for the California-based restaurant chain. 

A pancake stack that has the top two pancakes falling on to the stack with syrup showing.

IHOP Rewards members get free pancakes on their birthday.  (IHOP)

5. Olive Garden: Dessert

"Olive Garden guests can receive a complimentary dessert on their birthday when they dine with us," according to Olive Garden's website. 

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6. McDonald's: Fries – and maybe more

Users of the "My McDonald's" app receive one free order of medium fries on their birthday, according to McDonald's website. Users must be over the age of 18 to redeem. 

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Participating McDonald's around the country may offer app users additional free birthday choices, including a cheeseburger, McChicken, six-piece McNuggets or hash browns. 

McDonald's food

"My McDonald's" app users get a variety of free birthday options, depending on location and local store participation.  ( Gerald Matzka/picture alliance via Getty Images)

7. Nothing Bundt Cakes: Cake

Members of the Nothing Bundt Cakes "eClub" get a free "Bundtlet" – an individually sized bundt cake – on their birthday, according to the Texas-based bakery chain's website.  

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8. Panera Bread: Pastry or sweet

"MyPanera Rewards" members get a coupon redeemable for a "free pastry or sweet" the week of their birthday. 

This can be used on "muffins, cookies, pastries, sweets and bagels," according to Panera's website. 

Panera Bread outside.

Members of Panera Bread's "MyPanera Rewards" program get a choice of free treats for their birthday, including cookies, pastries and bagels. (Getty Images)

9. Red Robin: Burger (or kid's meal)

Red Robin Royalty members receive a free burger during the month of their birthday or a free kids' meal "to celebrate the little ones' birthdays."

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A woman wears a birthday cap, left, and another woman enjoys a piece of cake.

There are plenty of free food and drink deals that companies throughout the United States offer loyal customers. (iStock)

10. Starbucks: Drink or food 

Starbucks Rewards members get either a free handcrafted beverage, food item or a ready-to-drink bottled beverage, according to the Seattle-based company's website. 

Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Authored by Christine Rousselle via FoxNews September 17th 2024