Do you have a screen on your smartphone just for your favorite restaurant apps? You’re not alone. Six in 10 consumers have downloaded a restaurant app because they were enticed by saving money with free food or drinks, according to a survey from performance marketing firm Wunderkind.
“Diners want rewards at their fingertips,” said Tim Glomb, vice president of digital, content and AI at Wunderkind. What kind of rewards do people like best?
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“Wunderkind’s study found the most appetizing perk was earning points toward free food or drinks proving that diners love rewards they can cash in. Exclusive discounts (46%) and birthday freebies (29%) also rank high,” Glomb explained.
Here are some quick-service and family restaurant apps that offer freebies year-round.
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McDonald’s
Fast-food burger leader McDonald’s offers 100 points for every dollar spent, plus opportunities to earn double points. Their points go far, with plenty of opportunities to earn everything from free drinks to free Happy Meals, Chicken McNuggets or Quarter-Pounder burgers. When you download the app for the first time, you can claim a free Big Mac with a $1 minimum purchase.
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Taco Bell
Taco Bell points also accrue quickly when you use the app to order or check in at the restaurant using the app. You earn free items for every 250 points you earn. Every Tuesday at 2 p.m. EST, Taco Bell drops a special $1 offer for rewards members. Examples of past offers include a quesadilla, a Taco Supreme or the chain’s newest offering, chicken nuggets.
Friendly’s
Friendly’s is down to roughly 100 locations from the restaurant chain’s prime years, when you could get ice cream, burgers and sandwiches on sourdough bread at hundreds of locations across the U.S. However, a new mobile app promising free burgers and ice cream could have families flocking to Friendly’s this summer. Download the app and join the Friendly’s Fan Club through May 31, 2025 and claim a free Founder’s Burger. Beginning June 1, 2025, new members will receive a free medium sundae instead of a burger, according to an email from the company.
Buffalo Wild Wings
The Buffalo Wild Wings app has a high rating of 4.9 stars in The App Store, ranked No. 29 in “Food & Drink.” When you join the Blazin’ Rewards program and use the app, you’ll earn 10 to 12 points for every eligible dollar spent. You only have to spend $250 in the year to unlock top-tier “Blazin’” status. Fit that into your budget and cash in those points for free food and more. You also earn points when you check in at your local BWW and play trivia in the app.
Jimmy John’s
Glomb shared that one of his favorite apps is Jimmy John’s, known for its “Freaky Fast! Freaky Fresh!” sandwiches. Their geo-location service detects when a member is nearby and alerts the user to special deals. “They rotate offers such as a free drink or free chips with their push notifications,” Glomb said. He can place an order for pick-up, grab a satisfying lunch while he runs errands and save money.
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Sources
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Wunderkind, “The 2025 Consumer Insights Report for Restaurants.”
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Legit Apps That Give You Free Stuff Just for Downloading
