11 Restaurant Apps That Offer Free Food and Drinks

Sometimes, taking a night off from cooking is exactly what you may need. But like everything else, dining out is becoming more expensive. That’s even true for fast-food or quick-casual eateries.

One simple way to save money on dining out is to use a restaurant’s own phone app. They’re easy to download and use, and easier than hauling a paper card around, since all you need is your phone. And as a bonus, you often can use the apps to pile up points and cash them in for free food or other rewards.

Following is a look at some of the many ways to save money with restaurant apps. Note that some of the offers have restrictions, though we’ve tried to mention most of them here, and of course, the restaurant may decide to change its deals without warning.

Burger King

Dine like royalty when you join Burger King’s Royal Perks program on the BK app. Once you join, you’ll earn 10 Crowns for each dollar spent on eligible items, and can redeem those for food and drink. Members can also upsize an order of fries, hash browns, fountain drink or coffee once per day for free, or earn extra Crowns for making specific purchases as noted on the app or website.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A used to be a Southern chain, but now the chicken restaurant has more than 3,000 restaurants in 48 states. The chain’s rewards program, Chick-fil-A One, lets diners earn 10 points for every dollar spent, then use those points on food rewards ranging from ice cream to combo meals.

In a novel twist, the chain lets you advance to higher tiers of membership based on how many points you’ve accumulated. Members in the highest tier, called Signature members, earn more points per dollar, can even access backstage tours at the chain’s home office, and are the first to know about new menu items or other news.

Chili’s

If you’re a regular visitor to Chili’s, home of the famed baby-back ribs mentioned in their iconic jingle, download the Chili’s Rewards app. Right away, you’ll be able to redeem your first reward for either free chips and salsa or a free non-alcoholic beverage when you spend a minimum of $5.

Better yet, it’s not a one-time deal: You can keep using that reward on future visits, as long as you visit Chili’s at least once every 45 days.

You’ll also receive a variety of other deals for rewards members, possibly including free dessert on your birthday, free kids meals, free appetizers, free desserts and free delivery.

Firehouse Subs

Founded in 1994 by two firefighter brothers, Firehouse Subs now has more than 1,000 locations specializing in hot and cold submarine sandwiches and salads. Heat up your savings with the Firehouse Rewards app. Once you sign up, you’ll earn 100 points for every dollar spent, and you can then redeem your points for dessert, salad or a small, medium or large sub, depending on how many points you’ve acquired. Rewards start at 4,000 points.

McDonald’s

Naturally, McDonald’s, the big cheese of fast food, has a rewards app to match. My McDonald’s Rewards offers $4 off your first order through the app just for downloading it. You’ll earn points for spending money, plus can select special deals in the app just for rewards members.

Each day features multiple promotions, including free food items when you buy one, 50% off deals and 20% off orders of $5 or more. The deals rotate in and out, so if you don’t see a good one, use that chance to redeem your rewards points and eat free.

Mod Pizza

At Mod Pizza, which has more than 500 locations, customers order their toppings and see their pizza assembled in front of them. And the Mod Rewards app gives diners one point for each dollar spent.

Rewards can be cashed in for free pizza, salad, drinks or other items, including the famed No Name Cake, an individual dessert that does an awfully good job at copying a Hostess Ding Dong. If you’re feeling magnanimous, you can choose to redeem your points in the form of a donation to Mod’s nonprofit partners.

Popeyes

Popeyes was named for “The French Connection” movie character Popeye Doyle, not comic-strip legend Popeye the Sailor Man. Either way, it’s the chain’s chicken sandwiches and Cajun side dishes, not spinach, that pull in the diners.

Popeyes Rewards program lets members earn 10 points for every dollar spent. Members can also participate in the chain’s Happy Hour Tuesday and Thursday promotion, where they may purchase any regular-size side dish for $1 between 5 and 9 p.m. ET on those days, plus earn bonus points for eligible combo and family meals.

And new members get their choice of a free small side, small drink, or apple pie with a $5 minimum purchase.

Starbucks

It’s fitting that coffee giant Starbucks plays off its own name for its Starbucks Rewards program, offering members not points, but stars. Stack up the stars, and redeem them for free drinks, food and even Starbucks merchandise.

You’ll earn stars twice as fast if you pay with your Starbucks card — two stars for each dollar spent instead of one. You can also link your Starbucks card to your Delta SkyMiles account or eligible Bank of America cards to scoop up extra goodies, including Delta frequent-flyer miles and 2% cash back.

Subway

Take the subway (or, fine, walk or drive) to Subway, famous for its foot-long and 6-inch sub sandwiches, made to order. The chain’s MVP Rewards app gives diners 250 points for just signing up, then awards them 10 points for every dollar spent, plus extra points when for ordering in the app or online.

Members also receive other special offers and birthday freebies. And the tiered member levels – Pro, Captain and All-Star – help frequent diners increase their points, plus offer exclusive deals.

Taco Bell

If fast-food Mexican is your meal of choice, you likely ring in at Taco Bell frequently. The Taco Bell Rewards app gives you a reward just for signing up then lets you accumulate 10 points for each dollar you spend, with further rewards available every 250 points.

Get to 2,000 points and you’ll unlock the Fire tier, where you now earn 11 points per dollar, plus can access exclusive perks, events, and giveaways. And log in on Taco Tuesdays (that’s every Tuesday) to receive even more deals.

Wendy’s

Wendy’s offers some different menu items than many fast-food restaurants, from its square burgers to its chili to the iconic Frosty. You can pay less for those items if you download Wendy’s Rewards app. For every $1 you spend, you’ll earn 10 points, which you can later trade in for more food.

You can also check out the app for deals, including Dave’s Daily Dollar Deal, named for founder Dave Thomas, which gives you a select menu item for just $1 when you make a qualifying purchase.