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21 Restaurant Apps That Offer Free Food and Drinks
Download these apps and start earning points to score freebies and deals at your favorite places to eat
8-minute read
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Key takeaways
- Many restaurant rewards apps provide free food, drinks, discounts and birthday perks for members.
- Some loyalty programs now require more spending before rewards can be redeemed.
- With restaurant prices rising, app-based rewards can help stretch dining budgets.
There may be such a thing as a free lunch after all — at least, at restaurants with mobile apps.
Restaurant apps typically allow customers to earn points for qualifying purchases, and points can be redeemed for freebies — everything from a gratis drink or appetizer to a free entrée or dessert. Some apps offer freebies or deals just for downloading them, and many offer free food or discounts on your birthday.
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The downside? “Some restaurants have changed their rewards programs so that it could take longer or require more purchases — and more money — to get those redeemable freebies,” says Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at comparison-shopping website DealNews.
Still, those restaurant freebies can help you maximize your dining budget, at a time when inflation has raised the cost of eating out by 3.4 percent in the past year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
One pro tip for using restaurant apps: If you haven’t been to a restaurant in a while, make sure you can log in before you go. “You don’t want to be frantically punching at your phone or trying to remember your password when you’re ready to pay or you need to use a coupon,” says Cherie Lowe, author of Slaying the Debt Dragon.
Here’s a look at 21 restaurant apps that offer free food and drinks. (These terms, which are subject to change, are accurate as of Sept. 17, 2026.)
Arby’s
After joining Arby’s Loaded Rewards, you can get a free sandwich with a $5 purchase. Through the program, you earn 10 points for every $1 spent, and the points can be redeemed for rewards and offers. There are over 3,100 Arby’s restaurants in the U.S., with locations in every state except Rhode Island and Vermont.
Bob Evans
You’ll receive 20 percent off your first order for downloading the Bob Evans Rewards app. App users get birthday rewards and free kids meals on Tuesdays after 4 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée. The restaurant chain has nearly 500 locations in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast.
Bruegger’s Bagels
This bagel chain offers rewards members two points for every $1 spent when you order on the app and one point per every $1 spent in the store. Points can be redeemed for free bagels, sides or other menu items. New members can get a free bagel and cream cheese, with purchase, just for signing up. Members can buy a baker’s dozen of bagels for $9 on Mondays. Plus, you get a free bagel and cream cheese with purchase on your birthday. Bruegger’s operates more than 150 locations in 20 states.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Through the Buffalo Wild Wings app, you’ll earn 10 points for every $1 spent, and then 12 points per $1 after you spend $250; points can be redeemed for free food. The app also gives you access to additional discounts and offers, including free wings on your birthday and buy-one, get-one wings on Tuesdays. The chain has more than 1,400 locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Chili’s
The My Chili’s Rewards app gets you free chips and salsa with a minimum $5 purchase on every visit to the restaurant. In addition, you’ll receive offers for exclusive giveaways and merchandise deals, as well as a free dessert on your birthday. The chain has more than 1,100 locations, in every state but Oregon.
Chipotle
You can enjoy free chips and guacamole with a $5 purchase when you sign up for Chipotle’s rewards program, plus monthly bonus rewards and birthday perks. You’ll earn 10 points for every $1 spent, with extra points for specific “challenges,” like food order streaks. You can trade the points in for free food. The fast-casual chain’s nearly 4,000 restaurants are located in the District of Columbia and every state except Alaska and Hawaii.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ Rewards members earn 10 points for every $1 spent on most purchases in-store and in the Dunkin’ app. You can start redeeming rewards once you reach 150 points, and you earn triple points on purchases made on the day before, the day of or the day after your birthday. If you visit the coffee and donut shop 12 times in one month, you’ll get “Boosted Status” and earn 12 points for every $1 spent for the next three months. Dunkin’ has more than 10,000 locations across the country.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Einstein Bros. Bagels will give you a free bagel and shmear (read: cream cheese) with a purchase when you join its rewards program. You’ll earn two points for every $1 spent when you order on the app and one point per every $1 spent in the store. Membership also gives you access to a baker’s dozen of bagels for $9 on Mondays, and you’ll receive a free egg sandwich with purchase on your birthday. There are over 700 Einstein Bros. Bagels locations in 43 states and the District of Columbia.
Firehouse Subs
When you sign up for the Firehouse Subs app, you’ll get 50 percent off your first order (up to $10 off) and a free medium sub with any purchase on your birthday. Every $1 you spend earns 100 points that can be redeemed for free subs, salads or other food. The chain has over 1,200 locations in 45 states and Puerto Rico.
The Halal Guys
This restaurant chain, which specializes in chicken, gyros and falafel platters, offers its rewards members a free fountain drink and a side with the purchase of a sandwich or platter. App users earn 1 point for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases at its more than 75 restaurants, located in 15 states and the District of Columbia.
McDonald’s
App users earn 100 points for every $1 spent, and you can start redeeming rewards at 1,500 points. McDonald’s has more than 13,000 restaurants in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
You’ll receive a free cup of queso, guacamole or grilled burrito dipper when you sign up for Moe Rewards; you’ll also earn 10 points for every $1 spent. Moe Rewards members also get a free weekly kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. On your birthday, you can get a free cup of queso or guac. Moe’s has more than 540 locations in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
Noodles & Company
Sign up for a Noodles Rewards account and spend $10 to receive a free regular entrée. The chain has a three-tier rewards program, where you’ll earn eight to 12 points for every $1 spent, depending on your tier. (You graduate tiers by earning more points.) Noodles Rewards members also get a free dessert, small entrée or regular entrée on their birthday depending on their tier. Noodles & Company has almost 400 restaurants in 31 states.
Outback Steakhouse
This chain has almost 700 locations in 44 states. Outback Steakhouse rewards members earn five points for every $1 spent on food and nonalcoholic beverages. Every 350 points you earn converts to a $5 reward, which you must use within 90 days.
Panera Bread
You’ll receive 500 “welcome points” when you join the My Panera program. After that, you’ll earn 10 points for every $1 spent, receive a free bakery treat on your birthday and get access to special offers on some Mondays. You earn access to more rewards if you spend more than $300 per year. Panera has over 2,200 locations, in the District of Columbia and every state except Alaska and Hawaii.
Popeyes
Receive a free apple pie, small drink or regular side item with a $5 minimum purchase when you sign up for Popeyes Rewards. You’ll earn 10 points for every $1 spent in the app or online, and you can start redeeming rewards at 300 points. Popeyes has more than 3,000 locations, in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and every state except Vermont and Wyoming.
Starbucks
Starbucks customers can earn “stars” through the app — one star for every $1 spent to start, then more stars if you spend over $500 in a year. Stars can be traded in for free coffee or merchandise. Rewards members also get a free treat on their birthday. Starbucks has nearly 17,000 stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Subway
The chain’s Sub Club members get 10 points for every $1 spent; 400 points are worth $2 in Subway cash, which you can spend on food and drinks. Sub Club members also get birthday rewards. Subway has nearly 19,000 sandwich shops in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
TGI Fridays
You’ll get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entrée when you sign up for the Fridays Rewards app, plus free chips and salsa or $3 off an appetizer every visit. You earn one point for every $1 spent, and points can be traded in for a range of rewards — from a free nonalcoholic drink for 75 points to an entrée for 150 points. You’ll also receive a free treat offer during your birthday month. The restaurant chain has nearly 70 locations in 17 states.
Wendy’s
Once you sign up for Wendy’s Rewards, you’ll receive 200 bonus points and a free 10-piece chicken nugget order with your first purchase. After that, you’ll earn 10 points for every $1 spent, and points can be redeemed for various menu items. In addition, Wendy’s Rewards members can purchase a 10-piece chicken nugget order for just $1.99. There are nearly 6,000 Wendy’s restaurants, located in every state and the District of Columbia.
Zaxbys
Sign up for the Zax Rewardz program and get five chicken fingers with any $5 purchase. You’ll earn 10 points for every $1 spent, and points can be redeemed for free food and discounts. You’ll be entitled to extra perks if you rack up 3,000 points in a year. Zax Rewardz members get a free treat on their birthday. Zaxbys has more than 1,000 locations in 22 states.
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