Want a treat on your birthday? Some restaurants, stores offer goodies

LAFAYETTE, Ind. − Everyday, around 17.7 million people celebrate their birthday.

As many restaurants, stores and services give you free or discounted items on your birthday, be sure to capitalize on your annual freebies with this list of birthday-giveaways.

Restaurants and food

Many restaurants, especially fast food locations, offer some sort of free food or drink item on your birthday, according to RetailMeNot. While some require the customer to be on their emailing list or rewards programs, still be sure to take advantage of all this free food when you can:

• Arby’s: Get 50% off any full priced sandwich or wrap when you register with Arby’s.

• Buffalo Wild Wings: Join the Blazin’ Rewards program, and get a free order of birthday wings during your birth month.

• Culver’s: Sign up for a MyCulver’s account to receive a free birthday treat, usually a small sundae.

• Dairy Queen: Receive a buy-one-get-one Blizzard coupon on your birthday by signing up for the Blizzard Fan Club.

• Denny’s: While signing up for the Denny's loyalty program guarantees a free birthday treat, it is also likely that if you mention to your server in the restaurant that it's your birthday, your meal or a dessert may be comped.

• Dunkin’: Members have access to three times the points on any purchases made the day before their birthday, the day of their birthday or the day after their birthday.

• Firehouse Subs: Sign up for Firehouse Rewards for a free medium sub.

• IHOP: Guests will get a free stack of pancakes on their birthday when you join the My Hop club.

• Jersey Mike’s Subs: Those signed up for the email club will receive a coupon for one free birthday sub that is good for the entire year.

• Noodles & Company: Noodles & Co. offers a special for the entire week of your birthday when you sign up for Noodles Family. You must sign up at least 60 days before your birthday, however.

• Olive Garden: Those who join Olive Garden’s eClub will receive a free dessert on their birthday.

• Starbucks: If you're registered with  My Starbucks Rewards at least 30 days before your birthday, you will receive an email two days before the day-of for a free drink or food item.

• Steak ‘n Shake: Join the eClub and get a free menu item on your birthday and your anniversary.

• Texas Roadhouse: Sign up for the email club and get a birthday surprise and free appetizer.

Shops and stores

Free food isn't the only perk to enjoy on your birthday, as many retailers offer birthday discounts and gifts as well.

• Best Buy: Best Buy’s birthday coupon offers 10% off a single-item, and is offered to a random selection of members who have a birthday attached to their rewards account.

• CVS: Join the ExtraCare rewards program and get an offer on your birthday, $3 ExtraBucks Rewards that you can spend right away or save for later.

• JCPenney: Receive a birthday gift when you sign up for JCPenney Rewards.

• Kohl’s: Receive a birthday gift when signed up for Yes2You Rewards.

• Old Navy: After signing up for the  email newsletter, you'll get a Birthday Club free gift on your birthday.

• Pet Supplies Plus: Sign up for a Pet Supplies Plus online account to receive birthday freebies.

• PetSmart: Join the Treats Rewards program, and get a free surprise on your pet’s birthday. After signing up, be sure to mark down your pet's birthday or "gotcha" day.

• Ulta Beauty: Join Ultamate Rewards and get a gift on your birthday, plus earn double points on purchases made during your birthday month. Platinum or Diamond members get an extra birthday gift.

Greater Lafayette-specific birthday giveaways

Many local restaurants participate in birthday celebrations with freebies and giveaways as well. Here are some area-specific places to visit on your birthday.

• Harry's Chocolate Shop offers a birthday shot on a customer's 21st birthday

• City Barbeque offers a free dessert on your birthday if you are signed up for their rewards program

• Slim Chickens offers a "tasty treat," according to its website, on your birthday after signing up for their rewards program

• Bru Burger will give a free dessert to customers on their birthday

• RedSeven Kitchen + Cocktail also gives a free dessert to the birthday person

• 8Eleven Modern Bistro in Purdue's Memorial Hall offers a free dessert on your birthday as well

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Want a treat on your birthday? Some restaurants, stores offer goodies