Are you looking to save some money on food? Did you know that there are actually a lot of restaurants, convenience stores, and coffee shops that offer free food?
We’ve scoured the internet, checked official websites, and read feedback from actual users to prepare this list of places where you can get free food.
For most of these, simply downloading their app and signing up for their loyalty or rewards program already gets you a free snack. We even expanded this list to tell you how you can continue getting free food from them after your initial sign-up.
Don’t pay for food if you can actually get it for free! Keep reading until the very end, so you can find out exactly how you can get a few free meals from your favorite restaurants, score some good food deals, and save some money while still satisfying your cravings.
Apps that give you free food
Believe it or not, there are actually tons of restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores with apps that offer free food when you sign up or accomplish certain tasks. Most of these also have rewards or loyalty programs that allow you to get free food or discounts on certain items when you make purchases.
For this list, we’ve included not only the rewards you get from using the app but also the other ways that you can earn freebies from these companies.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is a convenience store that offers a variety of items, including food, drinks, cigarettes, and other convenience items. While 7-Eleven is best known for its Slurpees and snacks, the chain also offers a variety of free food items.
For example, customers can often snag a free hot dog or slice of pizza simply by asking. The chain also routinely hands out free samples, so keep an eye out for special offers.
In addition, 7-Eleven frequently partners with other brands to give away freebies. For example, earlier this year, the chain gave away free cans of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar to celebrate the soda launch.
To get free food from 7-Eleven:
- You need to be a member of the store's loyalty program.
- Scan your loyalty card every time you purchase.
For every $50 you spend, you'll earn one point. Once you've earned 100 points, you can redeem them for a free food item. You can also use your points to get discounts on other 7-Eleven products.
The program is free to join, and there's no limit to the number of points that you can earn.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread is a bakery-café chain with locations in the United States and Canada. The chain offers a variety of fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, soups, and baked goods. In addition, the chain offers a variety of coffee drinks and other beverages.
Panera Bread also offers a rewards program that gives customers free food items for every $200 that they spend. To participate in the program, customers need to create an account and then scan their rewards card each time they make a purchase.
If you sign up for their MyPanera rewards program, you'll get a free pastry or bagel every day when you visit. All you need to do is show your card at the register.
You can also get a free cup of coffee or tea whenever you purchase a qualifying food item. Just ask your barista for a refill on your way out the door.
Finally, if you're a student or teacher, be sure to show your ID at the register. You'll get a discount on select items.
Follow Panera Bread on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panerabread/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panerabread/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/panerabread
Wendy's
Wendy's is a fast-food restaurant chain that was founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. The chain is known for its square hamburgers, Frosty milkshakes, and sea salt fries. Wendy's has over 6,500 locations worldwide.
While Wendy's might not be the first place you think of when you're looking for free food, there are actually a few ways to get your hands on some gratis grub at the fast-food chain.
First, sign up for Wendy's rewards program and you'll earn points every time you make a purchase. Once you've accumulated enough points, you can redeem them for free food.
Another way to get free food from Wendy's is to take advantage of their app offers. These rotate on a regular basis but have included free fries with any purchase and a free small Frosty for downloading the app.
Many Wendy's locations will also give you a free hamburger if you order through the drive-thru and then park and come inside to dine in. You can also try ordering a small Frosty and asking for extra toppings – many cashiers will oblige without charging you extra.
In addition, customers can sign up for the chain's email list to receive notifications about special offers and promotions. Those who follow Wendy's on social media are also likely to find occasional opportunities to snag free food.
Follow Wendy's on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendys/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendys/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendys
For instance, the chain has been known to hand out coupons to Twitter users who share positive reviews or mention Wendy's in their posts.
Finally, keep an eye out for special promotions and events. Wendy's has been known to give away free breakfast items on select mornings and offer other freebies from time to time.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is a doughnut chain that was founded in 1937. The chain is known for its Original Glazed doughnuts, which were created in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Krispy Kreme has over 1,300 locations worldwide.
The popular doughnut chain offers a number of promotional deals that can score you some freebies.
For example, Krispy Kreme frequently offers a free doughnut to customers who stop by on their birthday. You can also get a free doughnut when you sign up for the Krispy Kreme Rewards program.
And if you're willing to dress up like a doughnut, you can even get a free dozen!
Baja Fresh
Baja Fresh is a chain of Mexican restaurants that was founded in 1990. The chain is known for its tacos, burritos, quesadillas, margaritas, and other cocktails. Baja Fresh has over 280 locations worldwide.
While most people associate Baja Fresh with its burritos and tacos, there are actually a number of free food items that you can get from the restaurant.
One way is to sign up for the chain's rewards program, which gives members one point for every dollar spent. Once you rack up 200 points, you'll get a $5 reward that can be used toward a free entree.
You can also earn points by completing surveys or making referrals.
Another way to get free food is to take advantage of Baja Fresh's happy hour specials. From 3-6 p.m., the chain offers $2 tacos, $3 burritos, and $4 quesadillas.
And if you're really looking to save, you can always try your luck with a Baja Fresh gift card giveaway. While they're not common, the chain occasionally holds contests or promotions that offer free food as a prize.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is a fast-food chain known for its Blizzards, soft-serve ice cream, and hamburgers. The chain has over 4,500 locations worldwide.
There are plenty of delicious free food items that you can get at Dairy Queen.
The Blizzard of the Month is always free on the first Monday of the month, and you can get a free small order of fries when you purchase a Blizzard.
You can also get a free dilly bar when you purchase any menu item, and you can get a free cone on your birthday. So next time you're craving some sweet treats, be sure to stop by Dairy Queen for some delicious free food.
McDonald's
McDonald's is a fast-food chain that is known for its burgers, fries, and shakes. The chain has over 36,000 locations worldwide.
McDonald's is known for its cheap and delicious food options. But what many people don't know is that the fast-food chain also offers a number of free food items.
One way to get free food from McDonald's is to sign up for its rewards program, which gives members a free item after they purchase five. You can also get a free Happy Meal on your child's birthday.
McDonald's also offers a variety of discounts and deals that can help you save money on your meal. For example, the chain often offers buy-one-get-one-free promotions on breakfast items, and it has a $1 menu that features a variety of items.
Burger King
Burger King is a fast-food chain that specializes in burgers and fries. The chain has over 13,000 locations worldwide.
Burger King is known for its Whopper sandwich, which is a hamburger that includes lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mayonnaise. The chain also offers a variety of other menu items, including chicken sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
The fast-food chain often offers coupons and deals on its website that can save you money on your next meal.
For example, they currently have a coupon for a free Whopper when you purchase another entree. They also sometimes offer to buy one get one free deals on their menu items.
Additionally, if you sign up for the Burger King newsletter, you'll receive coupons for free food items like a small fry or a soft drink.
Also, if you follow Burger King on social media, you may occasionally see offers for free food items. For example, the restaurant has previously given away free whopper sandwiches to customers who order through the Burger King app. As a result, savvy shoppers can take advantage of these deals to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank.
Chili's
Chili's is a restaurant chain that specializes in Tex-Mex cuisine. The chain has over 1,600 locations worldwide. Some of the popular menu items include fajitas, quesadillas, and enchiladas. They also have a variety of burgers, salads, and desserts.
One of the best things about Chili's is that they offer free food on select days to their guests.
For example, on Mondays, Chili's provides a free appetizer to guests who order an entree. On Tuesdays, guests can get a free kids' meal with the purchase of an adult entree. And on Wednesdays, Chili's offers a free order of chips and queso with the purchase of any entree.
Chili's also offers free food to military personnel! All you need is to show a valid military ID. The offer is good for dine-in only and is subject to change, so be sure to check with your server before ordering.
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins is a chain of ice cream shops that was founded in 1945. The chain is known for its 31 flavors, which is a reference to the number of flavors that the shop originally carried.
Baskin-Robbins offers a variety of ice cream flavors, as well as sundaes, cones, shakes, and more. The restaurant also offers a number of free food items!
For example, customers can get a free scoop of ice cream on their birthday when they sign up for the Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club.
Additionally, the restaurant frequently offers coupons for free or discounted items, such as a free scoop of ice cream with the purchase of another menu item.
You can also find a variety of other freebies on the Baskin-Robbins website, such as printable coloring pages and recipes.
In addition, the company occasionally offers contests with prize drawings for free food items.
Chick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A is a fast-food chain that specializes in chicken sandwiches. The chain has over 2,000 locations in the United States.
Some of the popular menu items at Chick-fil-A include the chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and milkshake. The restaurant also offers a number of free food items.
For example, if you sign up for Chick-fil-a's email list, you'll receive a free Chick-fil-a sandwich. You can also get a freebie by downloading the Chick-fil-a app and creating an account. Once you've accrued enough points, you can redeem them for a free entree or drink.
And if you're a loyalty member, you can get a free Chick-fil-a breakfast item on your birthday.
Additionally, if you forget your reusable shopping bag, you can ask for a free Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis 3-count entree. You can also get a free drink if you purchase a 30-count Chick-n-Minis or a LARGE Chick-fil-A Chicken sandwich.
Other freebies include a grilled chicken cool wrap if you purchase any grilled combo meal and a small scoop of Frosted Mini Spooner if you buy a deluxe combo meal.
Auntie Anne's
Auntie Anne's is a popular chain of soft pretzel shops. Some of the popular menu items include original, cinnamon sugar, and pepperoni pretzels. The restaurant also offers a variety of drinks, including soft drinks, coffee, and lemonade.
This popular chain of pretzel stores offers a variety of freebies that are sure to satisfy your appetite.
First, sign up for the Auntie Anne's Rewards program to get a free pretzel just for joining. Then, check your email regularly for special offers and coupons that can be redeemed for free food.
For example, you might get a coupon for a free pretzel on your birthday or a free soda when you purchase a pretzel.
In addition, Auntie Anne's frequently offers coupons for free or discounted food items. For example, you can get a free pretzel when you purchase a drink or a pretzel dog for $1.49 when you purchase any other menu item.
Starbucks
Starbucks is well known for its tasty coffee drinks, but did you know that the coffee chain also offers free food?
If you're a Starbucks Rewards member, you can get a free treat on your birthday. And if you visit during Happy Hour, you can snag a free pastry with the purchase of any handcrafted beverage.
From time to time, Starbucks also hands out free samples of new food items. So keep an eye out for those!
For example, in the spring, Starbucks offers a free birthday cake pop on your birthday when you register your Starbucks card and provide your birth date. Summer brings free ice cream on select days at participating locations, while fall sees the return of the popular Pumpkin Spice Latte. And during the holiday season, Starbucks gives away a free holiday drink on select days when you purchase any holiday drink earlier in the day.
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts is a chain of donut and coffee shops. They also offer free food!
For instance, you can get a free donut with the purchase of coffee. Get a free classic donut with the purchase of any hot or iced coffee. Just show your DD Perks loyalty card at checkout.
You can also enjoy a free drink on your birthday! Sign up for DD Perks, and you'll get a free beverage on your birthday. Choose from any hot or iced coffee, tea, or latte.
Additionally, you can get a free trial of Dunkin' Unlimited. Get unlimited coffee for just $9.99/month with Dunkin' Unlimited. Plus, you'll get a free month when you sign up!
Domino's
Domino's is a pizza delivery chain with over 10,000 stores in 60 countries. The company has been in business since 1960 and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
While Domino's may be best known for its pizza, the restaurant also offers a variety of other free food items.
For example, customers can sign up for the Domino's Piece of the Pie Rewards program and earn points for every purchase that can be redeemed for free food.
Additionally, Domino's regularly offers coupons and promotions for free or discounted menu items.
For instance, the restaurant often runs BOGO (buy one, get one) deals on pizzas, meaning that customers can get two pizzas for the price of one.
In addition, if you sign up for their email list, you'll receive a coupon for a free order of breadsticks or two free medium 2-topping pizzas. You can also get a free order of garlic knots when you download their mobile app.
And if you're a student with a valid ID, you can get a free order of medium mozzarella sticks on Tuesdays.
Why Do Companies Give Away Free Food?
While it may seem too good to be true, there are various reasons companies offer free food.
For one, it's a great way to attract customers and get them in the door. Once customers are inside, they're more likely to make a purchase.
Additionally, giving away free food allows companies to easily promote new menu items or seasonal items.
Offering free food also helps companies build goodwill and brand loyalty among customers. By providing complimentary food, companies are able to show their appreciation for customer business and build long-lasting relationships.
Conclusion
Free food is a major draw for customers. All of the restaurants mentioned in this article offer some sort of free food promotion, and there are plenty of other businesses out there that do the same.
So if you're looking to score a free meal, be sure to sign up for loyalty programs, download mobile apps, and subscribe to email lists. You may also want to keep an eye out for special deals and promotions.
Who knows? You may just get lucky and snag a free pizza or an order of garlic knots!
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
