Photo: JeniFoto (Shutterstock)
It’s obvious why restaurants want you to sign up for their rewards program— you’re basically giving them carte blanche to constantly send you ads. While this can be annoying, it’s nothing a burner email or an email filter can’t fix, and its a small price to pay for what you get in return: A bunch of free food.
Now that basically every restaurant chain now offers a rewards program, it takes a lot to stand out among the competition. That is to say, before you give them your email or download their app, make sure they are giving you something good in return—like a free side, appetizer, or dessert.
Here are some rewards programs actually worth signing up for (provided you have a location nearby):
Abuelo’s: If you’re in any of these states, you can get a free appetizer for signing up to their reward’s program. You’ll also get $15 off for every 200 points you earn.Au Bon Pain: Get a free coffee and bakery item by signing up to their reward program. Here are all of their locations.Auntie Anne’s: You can get a free pretzel after your first purchase of at least $1 when you sign up for Auntie Anne’s rewards program.Baskin Robbins: Download and register on the Baskin Robins app for a free scoop of ice cream. Check out how close you are to a store.Backyard Burgers: Sign up to their rewards program and get a free Backyard Classic burger. It’s a good deal if you live near one of the locations.BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Register for their rewards program and receive a free Pizookie and another on your birthday. Here are their locations.Buca di Beppo: Sign up to this restaurant’s eClub and receive a $10 gift. Find one near you.Buffalo Wild Wings: Get free wings for your birthday when you sign up for their eClub. Check out their locations.California Pizza Kitchen: Sign up for the CPK Dough rewards and get a free small plate and a $5 bonus reward. You also get a free dessert on your birthday. Here are all of CPK’s locations .Carvel: Get a free cone on your birthday when you sign up as a Fudgie Fanatic, plus you can get a BOGO free sundae every Wednesday. Search all of their 324 locations here.Chipotle: Aside from offering a fairly generous points program that gives you 10 points for every dollar spent (a free entree—worth about $12—will run you 1,650 points), Chipotle’s rewards program offers 10 “free food drops” throughout the year, nabbing you extras like free guac and free queso. Find a location near you.Del Taco: Join Del Taco’s e-club on the Del Taco app and get two free Del tacos. You also get a free shake on your birthday. Make sure you’re by a Del Taco location.Hardee’s: Sign up to the rewards program and get a free western bacon cheeseburger, famous star, or hand-breaded chicken sandwich with a minimum $1 purchase. Here are all of Hardee’s locations.Jimmy John’s: Sign up to the Freaky Fast Rewards and get a free 8″ sub after your first purchase. Find a Jimmy John’s near you here.Krispy Kreme: Sign up for Krispy Kreme rewards to get a free donut. Find a nearby store here.Moe’s Southwest Grill: You only get a free order of queso for signing up to their rewards program, but on your birthday, you get a free burrito. Check out all of their locations.Panera: Join their rewards program and get a free pastry, sweet treat or bagel with any purchase. Check out Panera’s locations.Raising Cane’s: Join the Caniac Club to get a free box combo within 48 hours. Make sure you’re by a Raising Cane’s location.Sizzler: Join the Real Deal eClub to receive a free burger. Most of their locations are in the western states.Steak ‘n Shake: Get a free milkshake when you sign up for their rewards club. Here are all of their locations.TGI Fridays: Get a free appetizer when you sign up to their rewards program. Find a TGI Fridays location here.Wendy’s: Get the Wendy’s mobile app for free food offers on most weeks. Currently, you also get a free 10-piece nugget with a purchase. Their store locator is here.
Keep in mind that some of these offers will be delivered to you via email, while others are housed in their respective apps. Make sure to read their fine print to see when the deal will be available to you. Also, reward offers can change without notice, so make sure the deal is still valid (and your local restaurant honors it) before ordering.
