8 Chain Restaurants That Give Discounts to Seniors (No Coupon Needed)

Enjoy dining out but worry about spending too much? You're not alone, especially in today's economy. But discounts and special menus may be your go-to to stretch your eating-out budget. Many chain restaurants offer special menus tailored to older adults.

These menus usually offer smaller portions and lower prices, but the same great taste. Here are eight chain restaurants that have you covered regardless of what you'd like for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Denny's menu for the over-55 crowd isn't as large as its regular menu, but it'll still fill you up.

The chain's menu includes a scrambled eggs and cheddar breakfast, the 55+ omelette with bacon, cheddar cheese and caramelized onions, and a starter consisting of an egg with one sausage link or a bacon strip.

The prices for these items vary depending on the location but are usually under $10, which is $5 less than items on the regular menu.

This chain's over-55 menu doesn't exclude its famous pancakes. They are served with two eggs and two strips of bacon for $9.49.

In addition to its famous pancakes, IHOP includes a BLT, crispy fish, French toast, crispy shrimp, and the 55+ Rise 'N Shine on its special menu.

These meals range from $8.79 for the French toast to $9.59 for the Breakfast Sampler — one egg, one strip of bacon, one sausage link, one piece of ham, hash browns, and a buttermilk pancake. Seniors can also get discounts on their total bill at the discretion of the franchise owners.

Cracker Barrel's minimalist menu for older adults doesn't include separate breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Instead, the chain lets customers choose between smaller portions of the chain's regular meals at discounted prices as part of their Early Dinner Deals. 

Other options include a country-fried steak, meatloaf, and more. The deals are available Monday through Friday, 4-6 pm, for dine-in only.

Friendly's offers folks over 55 their favorite dishes at affordable prices. Their senior menu items include a free happy ending sundae, and the dishes available are value-priced, such as their Friendly's BLT for just $11.99, though this price varies by location.

Though it may not be a standard, company-wide offer, customers over 60 have reported being able to enjoy Golden Corral's Senior Buffet, which lets you enjoy lunch for $8 and dinner for $12.

In addition, Golden Corral also offers lunch and dinner early bird hours, which vary depending on the store location. This promotion gives older adults the option to get a meal for $11.49.

Corky's welcomes golden-agers with a special breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Discounted prices are available on items ranging from a bowl of oatmeal with fruit for breakfast to a cheeseburger for lunch and a breaded fried chicken dinner.

While Corky's prices tend to be higher, customer reviews rave about the delicious homemade food and the great service.

If you crave pasta and pizza and wish Fazoli's had a special menu for seniors, your wish may have come true. Fazoli's menu for 62+ customers includes spaghetti marinara, fettuccine alfredo, and spaghetti with meat sauce — all for just $4.

Some Ponderosa locations have special days for older adults. These days vary by location and apparently only apply during lunch, so call to check before you head out. With this deal, customers can eat buffet meals like fried chicken, soups, and salads for just $11.99 and a free beverage on Wednesdays.

On their website, they also advertise 10% off any entree for those 62 and over.

One smart way to save money is to order smaller portions from the special senior menu many chain restaurants offer. The food quality should be the same, but you'll pay much less than if you ordered from the regular menu.

If a special menu isn't available, check out the restaurant's early bird specials. These usually happen between lunch and dinner hours and include both food and drinks at lower prices.