20 Best Restaurant Apps That Give You Free Food

Just about every restaurant wants you to download its app, and these chains typically offer great rewards — including free food — if you do.

Given how expensive everything has become, such rewards are now even more valuable than in the past. Here are 20 apps that can help you keep more money in your wallet.

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For every dollar you spend at Starbucks through the app, you get a star. Loading money onto your digital Starbucks Card and paying that way will earn you double stars.

Your free membership will also get free refills on some drinks, birthday goodies, and more. The app often offers buy one, get one free drinks or special-priced drink offers. You can begin redeeming rewards when you earn 25 stars. Star redemption levels are:

• 25 stars: Free espresso shot, non-dairy milk or syrup
• 100 stars: Free hot or iced coffee, tea, pastry, or packaged snack item
• 200 stars: Free handcrafted drink (i.e. cold brew, lattes, and frappuccinos) or hot breakfast item
• 300 stars: Free sandwich, protein box, or bag of coffee
• 400 stars: Free select Starbucks merchandise up to $20 worth

One way you can make your star rewards go further is to take advantage of bonus offers — i.e. buying three items within a set time will earn you an additional 75 bonus stars. I love to redeem 100 stars for an iced coffee I customized like an iced white mocha latte, with extra espresso shots, extra syrup pumps, and a heavy splash of vanilla sweet cream. It tastes like an iced white mocha (which costs over $6 for a venti size), but I don’t have to use 200 stars to get a free latte drink.

If you love ice cream, there is a good chance you are a fan of Baskin-Robbins, the longtime purveyor of sweet treats. You get a free scoop of ice cream when you download the BR app and sign up for an account.

You’ll also be eligible for additional coupons, as well as another free scoop on your birthday when you register with the birthday club. Note that the offer of a free scoop doesn’t include waffle cones or any toppings.

When you sign up for BJ’s, you will earn a free pizookie welcome gift (worth $8-9). Additionally, every $1 you spend at the restaurant (not including alcohol purchases) will earn you one point. Every 100 points can be redeemed for a $10 reward.

I can’t say if this perk is done at every BJ’s restaurant, but when I visited one in California with my three kids, the waitress brought over free snacks for the kids to hold them over until their food came.

Fast-food giant Burger King offers a perks program when you download its app.

For every dollar you spend, you get 10 crowns, which you can then use to redeem for free food. During your birthday month, you earn double crowns. You can earn extra crowns by participating in challenges and other bonus opportunities.

You also get one free upsize per day, which you can apply to french fries, soda, hash browns, or even coffee.

Downloading the Cafe Rio app, will give you a free $5 welcome bonus, plus you’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend on food and beverages. Redeem 100 points for a $10 reward. The app also boasts a birthday reward and opportunity to earn double points.

It’s no secret that eating out isn’t cheap, which is why I love that Cafe Rio offers a 99-cent child quesadilla through mobile ordering.

If you grab your morning java at Caribou Coffee, it may behoove you to sign up for the perks program. For starters, you get a free medium beverage of your choice after your first visit. You will also earn a free drink on your birthday.

After that, you will earn one point for every $1 spent when paying cash or card. You can earn double points when you order ahead and pay through your Caribou Coffee app.

Signing up to be a Chick-fil-A One member means you can earn points for your purchases. There are four different levels and benefits:

• Chick-fil-A One: Earn 10 points for every $1 spent, plus receive birthday and local rewards
• Chick-fil-A Silver: Earn 11 points per dollar spent, plus receive birthday and local rewards
• Chick-fil-A Red: Earn 12 points for every dollar, receive birthday and local rewards, and access to special events
• Chick-fil-A Signature: Earn 13 points for every dollar, receive birthday and local rewards, access to special events, and priority access to new products

Since your local Chick-fil-A is independently operated, how many free treats you receive depends on them. In the past, we have earned a free waffle fry, chicken sandwich, and chocolate chip cookie. Your birthday treat is a free dessert.

Want to get complimentary chips and salsa or a free beverage — sans alcohol — every time you dine at Chili’s? Sign up for the rewards program, and you get the freebie as long as you spend $5 and have visited within the last 45 days.

You’ll also qualify for gratis dessert on your birthday, as well as various other “personalized rewards just for you,” such as free appetizers and delivery.

We use a few different pizza ordering apps, and Domino's has rewarded us with the most free food and discounts. Instead of being rewarded per dollar amount spent, you will earn 10 points for every order of $5 or more. After two visits, you will have enough points for 16-piece parmesan bread bites.

Expect frequent mobile app coupons and opportunities to earn bonus points.

Although it has been rebranded as DQ, Dairy Queen originally sold ice cream and sweet treats before expanding to their “grill and chill” menu.

The model of this rewards program is simple: Download the app, spend money, earn points and redeem them for free grub. That includes something special on your birthday as well.

Elevate your coffee game with the Dutch Bros rewards app, where you will earn a free medium drink right from the start. This drink offer expires in 180 days, which is quite generous compared to the expiration of free sign ups for other apps. Every purchase earns you points, which can then be redeemed for more free drinks.

Like DQ, Dunkin’ Donuts became simply Dunkin’ when it expanded the menu far beyond doughnuts. And like DQ, the rewards program is pretty generous. You will get a free medium drink just for joining.

Download the app and for every dollar you spend, you get 10 points. If you visit 12 times in one month, you will be entitled to 12 points per dollar spent for the next three months.

Those who visit on their birthday — or on the day before or day after — earn three times the points. All points can be traded in for free menu items.

We also love the member exclusive offers that allow you to get food for $2 or earn bonus points on mobile ordering.

Fans of Jersey Mike’s can get free sandwiches when they sign up for the rewards program.

You’ll accumulate points on all of your purchases, which you can then redeem. For example, you get six points when you buy a regular sandwich and a freebie once you hit 72 points.

Signing up for the app also means you’ll be notified when Jersey Mike’s is offering double points or other unique promotions.

Arguably the king of all fast-food restaurants, McDonald’s has a rewards program you can enjoy when you download the app.

You’ll get a free order of large fries (with a $1 purchase) when you sign up, then the same deal every Friday. You also accrue points you can redeem for free food.

Those who download the Noodles & Company app and join the rewards program can earn a free entree. There are three levels of membership, based on your spending:

• Classix members: Earn 8 points per dollar and a free dessert on their birthday
• Signature members: Earn 10 points per dollar and a free small entree on their birthday
• Premier members: Earn 12 points per dollar and a free regular entree on their birthday

Want to score a free pastry? Sign up for Panera’s rewards program, and that’s exactly what you’ll get out of the gate — a free pastry, sweet, or bagel. You can also get free delivery for 30 days.

Our trick to saving money at Panera Bread is to order the Family Feast — the cheaper options have limited sandwich and salad choices, but in my area, I can buy four half sandwiches, a large salad, a large container of soup, and a full baguette for $36 (Prices vary by location).

Downloading the app and joining the rewards program is also the ticket to deals on soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries.

Fans of Pizza Hut can use the app to cash in on a straightforward rewards program that gives you two points for every dollar spent.

If you’re the eager type, you can redeem 75 points for an order of breadsticks. Or you can play the long game for a 300-point free large pizza.

Like many similar programs, Pizza Hut also sends out exclusive offers in the app, and you can expect a birthday surprise on your big day.

Popeyes promises you the “full range of reward benefits” when you download its app.

You get standard points with every purchase, but also qualify for bonus points when you order bigger-ticket items. Earn a free apple pie on your birthday.

Being a member also qualifies you for a happy hour program: Sides are only $2 every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-9 p.m.

Feeling spicy? Download Taco Bell’s app and get a free reward. Then you can earn 10 points per dollar spent, unlocking your next reward at 250 points. Once you hit 2,000 points total in a calendar year, you ascend to the Fire Tier, earning 11 points per dollar spent.

Like Taco Bell, Wendy’s will give you 10 points per dollar spent via the restaurant’s app.

Once you have accumulated enough points — think 400 for a small Frosty, 600 for a Spicy Chicken Sandwich, or 800 for a Baconater — you get menu items free of charge.

You’ll also get opportunities to earn bonus points when you spend additional time in the app.

Pro tip: When you decide to buy, it might benefit you to use a credit card that enables you to earn rewards, like cash back. This can help stretch your dollars and save even more.

How can I eat at a restaurant for free?

The easiest way to eat at a restaurant for free is to join their loyalty program. Most places offer a free incentive for signing up. Look for restaurant apps that also drop deals for free food with the purchase of another item.

Which fast food and restaurant apps are worth it?

Fast food and restaurant apps worth downloading include McDonald's, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Taco Bell, Domino's, and Dunkin'. We recommend these apps because they have many locations across the nation, offer a free food reward at sign-up along with multiple coupons and discounts, plus it is not hard to rack up the points.

There’s something satisfying about getting free food, which is why it can be well worth it to download restaurant apps. This is especially true for places that you visit regularly, as the more you spend, the more you get.

So, if you are looking to boost your bank account by saving money, consider downloading these apps and taking advantage of the rewards they offer.