39 Best Birthday Freebies in Canada in 2024

Did you know that you can get a lot of birthday freebies in Canada? Many restaurants and retailers are more than happy to give you free birthday stuff since it’ll likely mean loyalty and potentially increased sales.

The question is, what free stuff on your birthday is available? Well, it really depends on where you live. Many local restaurants across the country offer free meals on your birthday. This can be convenient if one is nearby you, but often it’s worth seeking out major chains as they tend to have more deals.

For example, you could start at Denny’s and get free breakfast. After that, you could take advantage of your free birthday drink at Starbucks. For lunch, how about Harvey’s since you can get a burger for free? An afternoon snack at Menchie’s is ideal since you get a $5 coupon on your birthday. For dinner, there’s the Mandarin buffet. If you still have room, you could end your day at Chatime where you can claim your free drink. 

Note that I checked these offers at the start of 2021, but they may have changed since then. Not every location has to participate, so call them before you go. If you live in Vancouver or Toronto, I have dedicated birthday freebies guides to the cities. Here’s a list of the best birthday freebies and what you need to get them.

The Alley

The Alley is one of my favourite bubble tea shops and has locations in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta. While it’s not really advertised, I got a coupon in the app for a free bubble tea that’s good up to five days after my birthday.

Arby’s

Arby’s has a newsletter that allows you to enter your birthday. They don’t specifically say you’ll get something free on your birthday, but many people have reported that they got a free snack shake or cookie coupon with any purchase.

Applebee’s

Applebee’s only has a handful of locations in Canada, but you’ll still get free stuff on your birthday if you visit this family restaurant. When you sign up for their e-club, you’ll get a coupon for a free appetizer right away. On your birthday, you can get a free entrée when purchasing another entrée at the regular price.

Baskin-Robbins

Ice cream lovers should sign up for Club 31 at Baskin-Robbins since you’ll get a free scoop on your birthday when you purchase a 2.5 oz scoop or 3 oz soft serve cone. You also get a $5 off a 20+ cake coupon if you need to feed the family.

Boston Pizza

Signing up for MyBP by Boston Pizza guarantees you a free dessert on your birthday. Oddly enough, that’s not even the best deal. You’ll also get a starter as soon as you sign up, an individual 2 topping pizza on your anniversary, and a bandera bread on your first delivery order all for free. 

Chic-fil-A

Chic-fil-A has been opening restaurants across the country, and if you sign up for their app/rewards program, you’ll get rewarded on your birthday. What you’ll get depends on your tier, but the basic reward is a chocolate chunk cookie or brownie.

Cora

Cora is a popular breakfast spot with locations across the country. Originally, the birthday gift was $5 off your meal when you signed up for the newsletter, but the offer is no longer stated on the website. If you join the Cora loyalty program you do get 3X the points for your birthday (you get 30 days following your birthday to claim this).

David’s Tea

David’s Tea closed all of their retail locations, but you can get 5 free points on your birthday. To be eligible, you need to be a member of their frequent STEEPER program. Once you’ve earned 100 points, you can get a 50g bag of free tea.

Denny’s

You can get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s. This is a dine-in only offer and you must present a valid picture ID. You can only claim this offer on your actual birthday and it can’t be combined with any other offers. Taxes still apply.

DQ

I know they go by DQ now, but I’m still going to call it Dairy Queen. Blizzard Fan Club members get a free Blizzard on their birthday when they purchase another Blizzard. This applies to any size so you could get two larges for yourself! I mean to share.

Harvey’s

There are a lot of burger birthday freebies on this list because every chain is trying to compete with each other. If you sign up for Harvey’s newsletter, you’ll get a special gift on your birthday. Interestingly enough, the newsletter used to specifically say a free burger, but it’s a little vague now. Some people have reported still getting a free burger while others have received free pie with the purchase of a burger.

IHOP 

IHOP has quite a few locations in Canada and you can get free pancakes on your birthday when you sign up for the MyHop loyalty program. In addition, you get pancakes for free when you sign up and on every anniversary of your sign up date.

Jack Astor’s

When you sign up for Jack Astor’s Inspired Rewards, you’ll get a free dessert with your dinner purchase. The reward shows up in your app and it’s valid for 90 days starting on the first day of your birthday month.

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar offers a free dessert on your birthday with the purchase of a dinner meal. The Keg offers incredible value for a steakhouse, so the free dessert is the perfect way to end a meal. Note that you can only claim the free dessert on your actual birthday.

Kelseys

You can get a free birthday dessert when you sign up for Kelseys’ newsletter. As an added bonus, you’ll get a free spinach dip as soon as you sign up and a $10 off coupon on your first anniversary. 

Kettleman’s Bagel

Serving Montreal-style bagels in Ottawa and Toronto, Kettleman’s Bagel gives you a dozen bagels for free on your birthday. Note that you must have the app to have access to the offer.

KFC

KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken has an app that allows you to enter your birthdate. It’s worth your while to do so as you’ll get a free popcorn chicken coupon that’s good for 30 days from your birthday.

Lone Star Texas Grill

If you’re heading to Lone Star Texas Grill, be sure you’ve signed up for The Sizzle since you’ll get $10 off your next visit, free unlimited chips and salsa, and Texas-sized deals. On your birthday, you’ll get a free dessert when you spend a minimum of $30 before taxes.

Mandarin

The best free birthday meals are arguably found at the Mandarin. When you sign up for the Mandarin Dish e-newsletter at least one day prior to your birthday, you’ll get your birthday buffet for free when dining with three paying adults. 

Marble Slab Creamery

When you sign up for Marble Mail, you’ll get access to exclusive offers. This includes free sweet surprises on your birthday. Marble Slab has locations across Canada, so it’ll be easy to get free stuff on your birthday. That said, you need to sign up 48 hours before your birthday to get your offers.

Menchie’s

If you like frozen yogurt, be sure to sign up for the Menchie’s app as you’ll get a $5 coupon to celebrate your birthday. Registration is free and you’ll also get access to special promos. Menchie’s is DIY froyo so you can create any combination you want for your birthday.

Montana’s

BBQ lovers can take advantage of the free dessert on your birthday offer when you sign up for their grill lovers club newsletter. You also get a free app coupon when you sign up and on every anniversary. 

New York Fries

The NYF Fry Society loyalty program gives you free regular fries on your birthday every year. If you preload the app with $25, you can get a free regular size poutine. This is one of the more popular free meals on your birthday.

Olive Garden

The Olive Garden is a popular restaurant in the US, but they also have a few locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. When you sign up for their newsletter, you’ll get a free dessert coupon worth up to $10.

Panera

MyPanera Rewards is the loyalty program for Panera. Although it’s no longer clearly listed on the website, many users have still reported getting a free pastry coupon that’s valid on their birthday.

Pajo’s

With a few locations in Vancouver, Pajo’s fish and chips gives you the option of 2 piece cod and chips, beef burger, or breakfast menu item for free on your birthday. You need to contact them via the website to get the coupon and the purchase of a second meal of equal or greater value is required.

Papa John’s

Free food on your birthday is great, so make sure you make a stop at Papa John’s with your Papa Rewards app. The coupon for a free birthday cookie will show up in your app and it’s valid for 14 days.

Perkins

Perkins may have limited locations in Canada, but you do get multiple freebies when you sign up for their newsletter. You’ll get a 20% off coupon right away and a special gift for your birthday. You can add your family members’ birthdays to your account so they get free birthday food too.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut has Hut Rewards which earns your points with every purchase. The birthday freebies have usually been just free breadsticks, but no purchase was necessary, so it could be worth dropping by if you’re in the area. That said, others have received a free dessert.

Quiznos

There aren’t too many Quiznos locations left in Canada, but at least they give you a free sub, when you buy a sub for your birthday. To get access to this offer, you need to download the app and create an account. The coupon will appear in the app and is only valid up to one week after your birthday.

Red Lobster

When you sign up for Red Lobster’s Fresh Catch News at least 10 days before your birthday, you’ll get a surprise birthday offer delivered to your inbox. When you sign up, you also get a free appetizer or dessert right away. Some savings will also be sent to you from time to time.

Red Robin

Located in British Columbia, this American chain gives you a free birthday burger when you sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program. You also get a free appetizer coupon the day after you sign up.

Sephora

Okay, this isn’t food, but the best free birthday stuff comes from Sephora. Beauty Insiders can choose one of the available gifts. These gifts rotate, but in the past, there has been lipstick, body oils, face creams and more. You usually get a month to claim your free stuff.

Starbucks

All Starbucks Rewards members are entitled to a free birthday drink. This can be a lucrative deal since just about any drink qualifies. That means you could order the most expensive drink you can think of and you won’t have to pay for it. As a Reward Member, you earn stars which can lead to free drinks and food.

South St. Burger

Residents of Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia should head straight to South St. Burger if they’re looking for free birthday meals. When you join the Birthday Club, you’ll get a Buy One, Get One FREE Burger coupon on your birthday. You get 14 days to use the coupon, but you do need to present a valid ID. Also, note that you need to subscribe at least 72 hours in advance of your birthday.

Swiss Chalet

Although only available to those aged 10 or under, you can get a free Kid’s Meal on your birthday at Swiss Chalet. The website doesn’t say that a paying adult must be present, but the odds are kids aren’t going to be dining in by themselves. 

Tim Hortons

Although not widely advertised, The Tim Hortons Rewards app gives you a birthday coupon that’s valid on your birthday only. In the past, it’s been a free beverage worth between 70 and 100 rewards points.

What A Bagel

What A Bagel may only have locations in Toronto, but it’s worth a trip if you live near one since you’ll get six free bagels when you purchase six on your birthday. You’re not required to sign up for the newsletter to take advantage of this promo, but you do need to show a valid ID at the time of purchase. 

The Works

Getting free stuff on your birthday and throughout the years is easy if you join The Works, burgers with benefits club. If you sign up at least nine days before your birthday, you’ll get a free burger coupon. You’ll also be entered into contests so there’s always a chance to get more free stuff. The Works has locations throughout Ontario. 

My list of the best birthday freebies mainly focuses on food, but there are plenty of other free or discounted things you can get. Old Navy, The Body Shop, and American Eagle are some of the retailers that offer free stuff on your birthday.