19 Great Freebies for Your Birthday

Celebrate your special day by taking advantage of these free giveaways – no strings attached.

When your birthday rolls around, don’t be distressed that you’re another year older. Don’t worry that you have another line on your face or a few (more) gray hairs. Instead, embrace the day as a golden opportunity to score freebies for yourself.

That’s right, dozens of establishments will give you special treats on your special day. Here are 19 that offer you birthday freebies that truly are free – you don’t have to purchase anything to get them. Enjoy.

Au Bon Pain. You can get a free birthday lunch by signing up for the eClub. You also get a free travel mug when you join.

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Baja Fresh. Get a free birthday burrito by joining Club Baja.

Barnes & Noble. Kids get a free cupcake on their birthday (and 30% off the list price of a kids’ book or toy) by signing up for the Barnes & Noble Kids' club.

Baskin-Robbins. You can get a free 2.5-ounce scoop on your birthday (plus $3 off a birthday cake) if you sign up for the Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club at www.baskinrobbins.com.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. Sign up for the Sweet Rewards e-club to get a free waffle cone on your birthday (as well as coupons and other offers throughout the year).

California Pizza Kitchen. Children receive a coupon for a free birthday CPKids meal by joining the CPKids Birthday Club (ask about membership at a California Pizza Kitchen location). Club members who celebrate their birthday at a California Pizza Kitchen receive up to 10 free meal certificates to give guests at their party and a free meal for themselves at the party. Even kids who aren’t members of the CPKids Birthday Club get a free sundae on their birthday.

Captain D’s. Kids 12 years old and younger get a free kids meal on their birthday if they sign up for the Kid's Birthday Club.

Denny's. Get a free Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday.

Friendly’s. You’ll receive a free "Happy Ending Sundae" on your birthday if you sign up for the BFF Club.

Houlihan’s. You’ll be treated to a free entrée on your birthday by joining the Houlihan’s email list.

IHOP. If you join the Pancake Revolution, you'll get a “Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity Pancakes” meal on your birthday.

Jamba Juice. Sign up for Jamba Insider Rewards for a free birthday smoothie or juice.

Moe's Southwest Grill. Get a free burrito on your birthday by joining Moe's E-world.

Pinkberry. Get a free frozen yogurt on your birthday by joining the Pinkberry loyalty program.

Red Robin. Sign up for the eClub to get a free burger on your birthday.

Ruby Tuesday. You can get a free burger on your birthday if you join Ruby Tuesday's So Connected program.

Spaghetti Warehouse. Get a free meal on your birthday by joining the eClub.

Starbucks. You can get a free birthday drink or treat (and a coupon for 15% off a purchase at StarbucksStore.com) by joining the My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program.

Zaxby's. Receive a free meal deal (an entree with fries and a drink) and a nibbler for your birthday by joining the Zax Mail Club.

Plenty of other restaurants, such as Applebee’s and Red Lobster, offer unspecified birthday freebies for subscribing to their e-mail lists. And several restaurants offer freebies with a purchase. If you don't see your favorite establishment on the list, it doesn't mean that you can't get a freebie there on your birthday. Ask your server or the store clerk about birthday specials.

Cameron Huddleston
Former Online Editor, Kiplinger.com

Award-winning journalist, speaker, family finance expert, and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk.

Cameron Huddleston wrote the daily "Kip Tips" column for Kiplinger.com. She joined Kiplinger in 2001 after graduating from American University with an MA in economic journalism.