September is the most common month for births in the U.S., with the 9th, 19th, 12th, 17th, and 10th being the top five most popular birth dates.

September birthday folks will soon get to wake up to well wishes from friends and family on Facebook, phone calls, cards and, if they’re lucky, maybe some gifts or flowers, too. But restaurants know what people really wish for when those candles blow out — free food.

Wishes can come true.

Here is a list of the best birthday freebies from across the country available to birthday diners this month and any month. Just be sure to call ahead to make sure your local spot honors the deal.


A&W All American Food

Want a free root beer float on your birthday? Sign up for the A&W Mug Club, and it’s all yours.

Applebee’s

Dessert is on the house. Just sign up for the Eclub.

Arby’s

The fast-food chain will send Arby’s Extras email subscribers a free shake coupon the week of their birthday.

Au Bon Pain

This is the good stuff. Lunch for eClub members is totally covered by Au Bon Pain on your birthday.

Auntie Anne’s

Pretzel Perks members get a buy-one-get-one deal on pretzels on their birthday. It’s your birthday — go ahead and eat both.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

Get a free birthday treat with your Club Baja membership — sources say it’s been a burrito in recent years.

Baskin-Robbins

Birthday Club members get a free scoop of their favorite ice cream on their big day.

BD’s Mongolian Grill

Sign up for Club Mongo and receive a free meal on your birthday.

Ben & Jerry’s

Not to be outdone by other ice cream joints, B&J offers Chunk Spelunkers free birthday ice-cream. 

Benihana

Chef’s Table membership gets you a $30 gift certificate to be used at anytime in your birthday month.

Bob Evans

Kids can get a free birthday meal with purchase of a regular adult entrée.

Bojangles’

Bojangles’ E-Club members have to make a purchase before they receive their “free” birthday Bo-Berry Biscuit, but since when do you ever eat just one biscuit anyway?

Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill Insiders get a free dessert. Yum.

Boston Market

Sign up for Boston Market’s VIP club and receive a free dessert like brownies or apple pie with your meal.

Buca di Beppo

Make a reservation online for four or more people and receive a voucher for a whole free birthday cake to share — or not share. Hey, it’s your day! Additional birthday deals available for registering with the Buca E-Club.

Bruegger’s Bagels

Take advantage of birthday freebies first thing in the morning with a free bagel and cream cheese from Bruegger’s when you sign up for the company’s email club.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Get a $25 credit on your birthday meal when you bring in your Landry Select Club Card.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Circle members get a free snack-size order of wings smothered in your favorite sauce. Best part, you have two weeks to use this offer, so no need to cram this one in.

California Pizza Kitchen

CPK rewards program members get a free dessert during their birthday month.

Capital Grille

No need to sign up here! Just show up and receive a slice of chocolate espresso cake after your meal.

Caribou Coffee

Sign up here and receive a free medium drink.

Carrabba’s

Back to emails. Enjoy a free appetizer or desert during your birthday month after joining the Amici Club.

Carvel

Fudge Fanatics can enjoy a free cone at Carvel.

Charley’s Crab

Get a $25 credit on your birthday meal when you bring in your Landry Select Club Card.

Chart House

Get a $25 credit on your birthday meal when you bring in your Landry Select Club Card.

Cheesecake Factory

A free bowl of ice cream is on the house for birthday diners.

Chili’s

Join Chili’s email club and get a coupon for a free brownie sundae, good for two week around your birthday.

Cinnabon

Cinnabon lovers rejoin. Sign up for the Club Cinnabon and receive a free “birthday treat.” Birthday surprises are the best!

Cold Stone Creamery

BOGO on ice cream at Cold Stone on your big day with membership in the My Cold Stone Club.

Cracker Barrel

Free dessert — and probably some singing waiters, too. What’s better than that?

Culver’s

One free birthday sundae for joining it’s Club.

Dairy Queen

The Queen Mother of all ice cream, DQ Blizzard Fan Club members get a BOGO coupon emailed to them around their birthday.

Del Taco

Stop in for a quickie taco lunch and leave with a free premium milkshake when you join its Raving Fan eClub.

Dippin’ Dots

More ice cream! Become a proud member of the Dot Crazy! Email Club and get a free order of Dots on your birthday.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Another morning stop for your birthday. DD Perks members can scoop up a free beverage on their birthdays.

Einstein Bros bagels

Get a free egg sandwich at Einstein on your birthday when you sign up for the Shmear Society.

El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco offers free chips and guac on your birthday. Just sign up for its rewards program and finally eat something solid after all that ice cream.

Famous Dave’s

Join Famous Nation and receive a “free tasty gift” on your birthday — word on the street says it’s a free entrée.

First Watch

Sign up for the Sun Club and receive a free breakfast or lunch entrée.

Friendly’s

Make your love for Friendly’s known by becoming BFFs, and receive a free birthday sundae.

Fuddruckers

More real food! Fudds Club members can get a BOGO birthday burger.

Godiva

Free fancy chocolates from Godiva for signing up with their GODIVA rewards program. The company will send you a $10 gift card to use during the month.

Grand Concourse

Get a $25 credit on your birthday meal when you bring in your Landry Select Club Card.

Hooters

Because it’s always been about the wings, stop by on your birthday for 10 free wings if you’re a member of the Hooters e-club.

Houlihan’s

Receive a free entrée on your birthday by signing up online.

IHOP

Join the Pancake Revolution. You’ll get a free stack of pancakes on your birthday.

Jack in the Box

Show this coupon and score two free tacos.

Jamba Juice

Sip a free small smoothie on your birthday if you sign up here for insider status.

Jersey Mike’s

Enjoy a free birthday sub and drink for joining the sandwich shop’s email club.

Joe’s Crab Shack

Snack on a free appetizer for signing up with Joe’s Catch.

Johnny Rockets

Grab a free burger with purchase of an entree and drink. Just sign up for the Rocket eClub.

Krispy Kreme

Become an official friend to Krispy Kreme, and snag a free donut on your birthday.

Margaritaville

Jimmy Buffett’s restaurant is too laid back to worry about coupons and clubs. Just show up on your birthday to score a free scoop of ice cream and toppings.

McDonald’s

This one’s for the kids. Get a free birthday Happy Meal for signing up on the company’s email newsletter. Darn. Kids get all the good stuff.

Melting Pot

Club members get a free box of six chocolate-covered strawberries for signing up for the restaurant’s online club.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Download the Moe’s app and receive a free burrito every year on your birthday.

Noodles & Company

Join the Noodles Family and get a free rice crispy treat on your birthday.

Olive Garden

On top of the free breadsticks coming to your table, you’ll also get a free birthday dessert. Carbs and dessert? This is a major win for eClub members.

Outback Steakhouse

Free kids-sized vanilla sundae just for showing up on your birthday.

P.F. Chang’s

Decisions, decisions. Should you get a free small plate, free dim sum item, or free dessert on your big day? Join P.F. Chang’s Preferred email list, and be faced with this delicious decisions.

Panera

MyPanera members get a free birthday pastry.

Pinkberry

Free frozen yogurt at Pinkberry for signing up for the Pinkcard.

Pizza Hut

Get free cinnamon sticks with your birthday order when you sign up for the Birthday Club.

Planet Smoothie

Birthday Club members can sip of a free smoothie.

Qdoba

BOGO birthday burritos for Qdoba Rewards members.

Quiznos

Q-Club members score a free cookie.

Rainforest Cafe

Sign up for Landry’s Select Club and receive a $25 birthday reward.

Red Lobster

Fresh Catch Clubbers get a birthday surprise!

Rita’s Italian Ice

Enjoy a free scoop of ice cream, Italian ice or custard on your birthday.

Red Robin

Red Robin Royalty receive a free burger during the month of their birth.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Sign up for RMG’s eClub and score a free slice of cake.

Ruby Tuesday

Join So Connected and get a free burger or free garden bar entrée on your birthday.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Enjoy a free birthday dessert.

Sbarro

Join the Slice Society and get a free surprise on your birthday.

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill

Receive a free birthday dessert for signing up for its Loyalty Program.

Spaghetti Warehouse

Get a free spaghetti entrée and a spumoni sundae on your birthday for joining the Warehouse Club.

Starbucks

Join Starbucks Rewards for a free birthday beverage of your choice — any size, any flavors, any toppings (minimal judgement).

Steak ‘n Shake

Email club members get a free double-steak burger with cheese fries for stopping by on their birthday.

Subway

Sign up for Subway’s digital newsletter and you’ll be rewarded on your birthday with a free six-inch sub.

TCBY

If you sign up for myTCBY, you’ll get a free frozen yogurt.

TGI Fridays

Get a free dessert during your birthday month for signing up here.

Uno Chicago Grill

Jong Uno’s Insider’s Club and celebrate your birthday with a free personal sized pizza.

Waffle House

Enjoy a free birthday waffle when you join the Waffle House Regulars Club.

Wendy’s

Free frosty for WendyMail members.

Zaxby’s

Sign up for the Zax Mail Club and get a free Nibbler coupon for your birthday.

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Author

Meghan is a full-time writer exploring the fun facts behind food. She lives a healthy lifestyle but lives for breakfast, dessert and anything with marinara. She’s thrown away just as many meals as she’s proud of.