45+ Restaurants that Offer Free Food with Reward Programs

Budget and affordable living expert Karrie Thatcher shares tips for getting free food

Who wants to buy food when you can get free food? There are tons of ways to earn yourself free food these days, and all it usually takes is downloading a fast food restaurant’s app and joining their rewards program. We talked to budget and affordable living expert Karrie Thatcher to find out how it works. Take a look at these chains that offer freebies, especially the ones that give you free food with no extra purchase required. Be sure to look out for birthday deals!

How to Get Free Fast Food

Budget and affordable living expert Karrie Thatcher recommends stacking rewards and promotions to get free fast food. Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Whataburger, Arby’s, and Moe’s offer free food for signing up for their rewards program, while McDonald’s, Hardee's, and Jimmy John’s require a small purchase to get the free item.

1

McDonald’s

  1. McDonald’s offers a free large fries with a $1 minimum purchase when you first download the McDonald’s mobile app. Plus, every $1 you spend earns you 100 points, which you can redeem for free food. The app also gives you daily deals and discounts. A recurring deal is free medium fries every Friday with a $1 or more app purchase.[1]

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Karrie Thatcher is an affordable living expert and lifestyle content creator based in Texas. For 6+ years, Karrie has been sharing content with tips for finding deals, couponing, saving money, and at-home earning opportunities.

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2

Wendy’s

  1. When you sign up with the Wendy’s app, you get a free 10-piece Nuggets and 200 points. The rewards program also gets you free stuff. The app has rotating coupons for free drinks or chili with any purchase (so never hesitate to refresh). Plus, you earn 10 points for every $1 you spend, which you use to redeem rewards.[2]
    • If you join their rewards program, you’ll get a free Frosty on your birthday.
3

Taco Bell

  1. Sign up for Taco Bell’s rewards program to get a free Crispy Taco, Soft Taco, or Burrito. As a member, you also earn 10 points for every $1 you spend. When you earn 250 points, you unlock a free item. Plus, you can even get a free Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze on your birthday.[3]
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4

Whataburger

  1. Sign up for Whataburger Rewards to immediately get a free burger. Then, order through the app to earn points and unlock more free food, as well as extra discounts.
5

Arby’s

  1. Sign up to receive text messages on Arby’s website to get a free sandwich, plus other offers. Also, join Arby’s reward program to get Classic Beef N’ Cheddar with a $5 purchase. You’ll also get access to more deals, like buy one get one free offers.
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6

Moe’s Southwest Grill

  1. Get a free cup of queso when you join Moe’s rewards program. Chips are always free at Moe’s, but you can earn yourself a free cup of queso just by providing your email address. Plus, on your birthday, you’ll get a free burrito. Each purchase also earns you points towards free items.[4]
7

Taco John’s

  1. Download the Taco John’s app to join the TJ rewards program and immediately get a free medium Potato Olés. When you make orders through the app, you also earn points that go towards free food.
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8

Chipotle

  1. Join Chipotle’s rewards program to automatically earn free guacamole. Along with free guac, you also earn 10 points for every $1 you spend. Just use those points toward free meals. Then, check the app regularly for free food drops and other rewards.[5]
9

IHOP

  1. IHOP allows kids to eat free during certain times of the year—just check IHOP’s website to check if they’re currently offering this deal. The pancake house also has a rewards program, which gives you free pancakes on your birthday. Plus, you earn points (PanCoins) with every $5 purchase, which earns you free food.
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10

MOD Pizza

  1. Sign up for ModRewards to get a free No Name Cake immediately. As a member, you also earn 1 point for every $1 you spend, and you only need 50 points to get free food! Plus, you’ll get access to buy one, get one free discounts and other promotions.
    • Some people claim that MOD will give you a free pizza if you go into a store and tell them that you’re hungry and have no money to eat. MOD doesn’t advertise this policy online, but it may be worth a try to get free food if you’re in need.
11

Marble Slab/Great American Cookies

  1. Sign up for the joint rewards program at Marble Slab Creamery and Great American Cookies to immediately receive a small ice cream or free cookie cake slice, plus $5 off a $20 online purchase. As a member, you also earn points with each purchase you make at either dessert store.
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12

Dutch Bros. Coffee

  1. Download the Dutch Bros. app to immediately earn a free medium drink. Plus, ordering through the app earns points that add up to more free drinks. Like other fast food chains, the more you order from Dutch Bros., the more freebies you can get.
13

Hardee’s

  1. Sign up for Hardee’s rewards program to get a free chicken sandwich, burger, bacon egg and cheese biscuit, or breakfast sandwich with a $1 purchase. Then, earn points to unlock freebies and get access to exclusive deals.
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14

Jimmy John’s

  1. Sign up for Jimmy John’s Freaky Fast Rewards program to get a free sub after you make your first order. Plus, earn points to redeem free items and unlock a free surprise on your birthday.[6]
15

Panera Bread

  1. Join the MyPanera rewards program to get an instant free bakery treat or bagel with any purchase. New members also get $5 off their first order and free delivery for 30 days after signing up. You’ll also get a free birthday treat on your special day and free delivery on orders of $25 or more.
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16

Checker’s

  1. Download the Checker’s app to get a buy one, get one free offer for any sandwich. Their loyalty program also earns you points towards a free meal or snack. The more you order through the app, the more chances you’ll have to get something free! Plus, the app offers exclusive discounts (like buy 1 get 1 free sandwiches).
17

Noodles & Company

  1. Join the Noodles Rewards program to get a free small entree with your first purchase of $10. Plus, you’ll earn points towards free food, unlock exclusive offers, and get a free treat on your birthday.[7]
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18

Wild Wing Cafe

  1. When you download the Wild Wing Cafe app, you get a free 6-piece wings with a $5 purchase. Like other restaurants, the rewards program gives you points with every purchase, which you use to redeem more free wings.
19

Baskin-Robbins

  1. Join the Baskin-Robbins rewards program to get a free scoop after your first purchase. Simply download the Baskin-Robbins app to your home screen and sign up for the mobile deals. Then, check your app’s account for your free scoop! As a rewards member, each purchase you make also earns you credit toward more freebies.
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20

Krispy Kreme

  1. Get a free doughnut with any purchase when you sign up for the Krispy Kreme rewards. Either download the Krispy Kreme app, or sign up on the website. Plus, you’ll get a special reward sent to you on your birthday and earn points for more free goodies with each purchase.[8]
21

Tim Hortons

  1. Join Tim Hortons rewards to get a free drink with a $1 purchase. You also get a free treat on your birthday. Plus, you rack up points with every purchase, which earns you free items over time.
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22

Einstein Bros Bagels

  1. Get a free bagel with schmear when you sign up for Einstein Bros rewards and make a purchase. After you make 1 visit, you also unlock unlimited free coffee. Members also get a free egg sandwich with purchase on their birthday. Plus, you earn points, which add up to more free goodies.
23

Burger King

  1. Sign up for Burger King’s Royal Perks rewards program for free daily and monthly deals. As a member, you receive 10 points (called Crowns) for every $1 you spend, which you use to redeem menu items. Plus, participating in challenges in the app helps you earn more Crowns.[9]
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24

Dairy Queen

  1. Sign up for Dairy Queen’s Blizzard Fan Club and you may get a free Blizzard instantly. The rewards program also earns you points when you order food, which you use to get free goodies. Make sure to check your receipt, too, because you could earn a free Dilly Bar by completing a survey.
25

Steak n’ Shake

  1. Become a Steak n’ Shake rewards member and you may get a free milkshake. All it takes is sharing your email, address, and name. Then, as a member, you’ll earn points with each purchase that you can put towards free items, as well as exclusive deals and offers.
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26

Dunkin’

  1. You may get a free drink or food item when you join Dunkin’s rewards program. Plus, if you put your birthday into your account, you’ll also earn a free beverage on your special day. The program also earns you points with each purchase, which you put toward free drinks and donuts.
27

Quiznos

  1. Join Quiznos’ loyalty program to earn $5 off your first purchase through the app. This means if you order something for $5, you can use your rewards coupon to make it absolutely free![10] Then, start earning points with each purchase to unlock discounts and free items.
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28

Jack in the Box

  1. Download the Jack in the Box mobile app to get 20% off your first order. Plus, joining the rewards program gives you 10 points for every $1 you spend, helping you earn free items every time you order.
29

Chick-fil-A

  1. Become a Chick-fil-A One member to earn points and win freebies. Simply download the Chick-fil-A app and start ordering. Every $1 spent is 10 points earned. With every 200 points, you can earn free hash browns, ice cream, or cookies.
    • Check the app regularly for rewards and events—Chick-fil-A occasionally drops free food that you can redeem.
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30

Subway

  1. Join Subway’s Sub Club to earn a free foot-long sub after buying 3 foot-long subs (or 6 6-inch subs). The rewards program also offers discounts and other deals. Or, take the survey at the bottom of your Subway receipt to earn freebies.[11] If you call the number listed and complete the survey, you can earn a free cookie or drink with your next purchase.
31

Sonic

  1. Download the Sonic app and join their reward program to earn discounts and deals all year round. Or, text “SONIC” to 876-642 to get the exclusive deals. When you first sign up, you may get a free drink of your choice. Then, if you’re lucky, you might get a second discount with your next purchase.
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32

Zaxby’s

  1. Become a member of the Zax Fan Club and get an exclusive deal. Zaxby’s previously offered a free Big Zax Snak after sign up, but they may give you a deal like a free 5-piece chicken fingers with a $5 purchase.[12] As a Zax Fan Club member, you earn points with each purchase to score free food.
33

Popeye’s

  1. Sign up for Popeye’s Rewards to earn a free treat, like a small drink or side, with a $5 purchase. The rewards program also earns you points with every purchase, which you use to get free food, plus exclusive deals and coupons.
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34

Culver’s

  1. Sign up for the MyCulver’s rewards program to get 25% off your first order. Plus, you’ll get a free sundae on your birthday.[13]
35

Del Taco

  1. Join Del Taco’s Del Yeah! Rewards program to get 20% off your first purchase. Plus, you’ll get a free regular-size shake on your birthday. You’ll also earn points that get you other free items throughout the year.[14]
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36

White Castle

  1. Download White Castle’s app and sign up for the Craver Nation loyalty program to get $5 off your first order through the app. Every purchase you make also gives you points that earn you freebies all year round.
37

Raising Cane’s

  1. Join the Caniac Club to score exclusive offers and discounts. Unlike other fast food chains, you have to visit a physical Raising Cane’s restaurant to get a rewards card. Then, register your card online and add it to the Raising Cane’s app.[15]
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38

Firehouse Subs

  1. Join Firehouse Sub’s rewards program to earn points with each purchase you make to redeem items for free. Plus, you get a free medium sub on your birthday.[16]
39

Jersey Mike’s

  1. Sign up for Jersey Mike’s rewards program (MyMikes) to get points and redeem free subs. As a member, you get exclusive discounts and a free birthday sub (as long as you purchased a sub in the last year). At a minimum, 48 points gets you a free mini-sized sandwich.
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40

Domino’s

  1. Join the Domino's rewards program to get free food after every 2 orders you make. You also earn points with every order through the app, which can eventually get you a free pizza.[17]
41

Starbucks

  1. Download the Starbucks app and join their rewards program to get free drip coffee and tea refills in-store. Plus, for every $1 spent, you’ll earn 2 stars, and every 50 stars gets you a free coffee or bakery item.[18]
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42

Applebee’s

  1. Join Club Applebee’s to immediately get a free appetizer. Plus, you’ll get a free dessert on your birthday. Members also get exclusive deals and specials.[19]
43

Texas Roadhouse

  1. As a new member of Texas Roadhouse’s VIP Club, you get a free welcome gift, which might be a free appetizer or other small dish. The VIP Club also gives you access to exclusive deals and promotions.
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44

O’Charley’s

  1. When you join O’Charley’s O’Club rewards, you get a free appetizer after your first visit. Plus, you get a surprise gift on your birthday, as well as deals and promotions throughout the year.
45

TGI Fridays

  1. Sign up for TGI Fridays rewards to get free chips and salsa with every visit, or $3 off an appetizer. You also get a free dessert on your birthday. Plus, the program earns you points with every purchase—75 points gets you a free appetizer, and 150 points gets you a free entrée.
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46

Chili’s

  1. Signing up for Chili’s rewards program gets you free chips and salsa at every visit when you make a $5 purchase. Plus, you get a free dessert on your birthday (also with a $5 purchase). As a member, you also get discounts and other deals.[20]
47

7-Eleven

  1. 7-Eleven might not be a traditional fast food restaurant, but the convenience store does offer free food. If you download the 7-Eleven app and join 7Rewards, you may get a free goodie. Plus, you get a free slushie during your birthday month. You also earn points with every purchase, which add up to free items.
    • Check 7NOW, 7-Eleven’s delivery service, for free items, too. 7NOW occasionally offers free items with purchase, as well as exclusive deals.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/download-app.html
  2. ↑ https://www.wendys.com/rewards
  3. ↑ https://www.tacobell.com/rewards
  4. ↑ https://www.moes.com/rewards
  5. ↑ https://chipotle.com/rewards
  6. ↑ https://www.jimmyjohns.com/contact-us/faqs/
  7. ↑ https://www.noodles.com/rewards
  8. ↑ https://www.krispykreme.com/more-smiles/rewards
  9. ↑ https://www.bk.com/bkrewards
  1. ↑ https://www.quiznos.com/loyalty/
  2. ↑ https://www.subway.com/en-JO/MyWayRewards/HowItWorks
  3. ↑ https://www.zaxbys.com/news-media/Zaxbys-extends-Zax-Rewardz-incentive-with-new-app-downloads
  4. ↑ https://www.culvers.com/my-culvers
  5. ↑ https://deltaco.com/delyeahrewards
  6. ↑ https://www.raisingcanes.com/caniac-club/
  7. ↑ https://www.firehousesubs.com/firehouse-rewards
  8. ↑ https://www.dominos.com/my-deals-and-rewards
  9. ↑ https://www.starbucks.com/rewards
  10. ↑ https://www.applebees.com/en/club-applebees
  11. ↑ https://www.chilis.com/register/termsandconditions
  12. ↑ Karrie Thatcher. Budget and Affordable Living Expert. Expert Interview
  13. ↑ Karrie Thatcher. Budget and Affordable Living Expert. Expert Interview
  14. ↑ Karrie Thatcher. Budget and Affordable Living Expert. Expert Interview
  15. ↑ Karrie Thatcher. Budget and Affordable Living Expert. Expert Interview
  16. ↑ Karrie Thatcher. Budget and Affordable Living Expert. Expert Interview

About This Article

Karrie Thatcher
Co-authored by:
Karrie Thatcher
Budget and Affordable Living Expert
This article was co-authored by Karrie Thatcher and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Karrie Thatcher is an affordable living expert and lifestyle content creator based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. For over 6 years Karrie has created content to share tips and best practices for finding deals, couponing, saving money, and at-home earning opportunities. She is the founder of Goglitchdeals and has helped countless families create more stability and financial security, with a following of over 135,000 and a reach of 1 million per month. Karrie has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from The University of Texas at San Antonio. This article has been viewed 110,605 times.
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Co-authors: 11
Updated: January 12, 2026
Views: 110,605
Categories: Fast Food
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