20 Fast Food Apps for Free Food Rewards
Fast food applications are becoming increasingly trendy. They not only provide a convenient way to place orders and dodge long lines but also present opportunities for saving money. While fast food is typically wallet-friendly, these apps can help you obtain complimentary meals—a delightful perk!
Of course, the ideal way to economize on meals is by cooking at home. However, we are often caught up in the hustle and bustle of life with traffic and packed schedules, which is when a quick meal on the go becomes essential. These applications facilitate pre-ordering so you can skip queues at pickup. Plus, many of them offer rewards leading to discounts and free items. What a bonus!
Here’s a list of our top 20 fast food applications and the tasty benefits associated with them.
1. BJ’s Brewhouse
Weekend evenings at my local BJ’s usually involve a wait of 30-40 minutes. Thankfully, their app allows you to add your name to the waiting list before you even arrive, thereby reducing your wait time. As an added bonus, members receive a complimentary mini pizookie (a dessert combining pie and cookie, often topped with ice cream) upon joining, and they accumulate one point for each dollar spent. Once you reach 100 points, you’ll receive a $10 discount coupon valid for 90 days.
2. Burger King
Upon signing up for the Burger King app, users are greeted with approximately $30 worth of food coupons, which typically consist of BOGO deals and other promotional meals. Additionally, you can link your PayPal account for faster transactions.
3. Café Rio
The Café Rio app rewards users with a $10 credit for every 100 points accumulated, generally earned at a rate of one point per dollar spent. Occasionally, the app offers double points. Moreover, there’s no expiration date on your rewards.
4. Chick-fil-A
The Chick-fil-A One app is a favorite of mine because it frequently grants free food items, whether it’s an ice cream cone or a salad. Additionally, using the app for purchases directly can earn you extra rewards.
If you’re not yet familiar with the cow calendar, you’re missing out! Each November, Chick-fil-A offers $8 calendars with cards that include a free item each month. By linking the card to your app, redeeming your monthly freebie becomes a breeze. Did you miss the calendar? Searching eBay could be your solution! (See also: 6 Ways to Score Free Food at Chick-fil-A)
5. Chronic Taco
By joining Chronic Taco’s app, you instantly receive 50 points for signing up, along with earning one point for every dollar spent. Accumulate just 25 points for churro bites, 50 points for a taco, or 100 points for any menu selection.
6. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf app provides a free coffee or tea upon registration. Users can anticipate a birthday treat and earn reward points for each dollar spent, redeemable for complimentary drinks and food items. Frequent users can unlock various reward tiers (Purple, Platinum, and VIP).
7. El Pollo Loco
The LOCO Rewards program offers $10 in free food once you collect 100 points through app scans, whether at the drive-thru or when ordering via the app. Additionally, new members enjoy a complimentary entrée valued at up to $7 upon registering. Each dollar spent equates to one point, and you’ll soon be able to load gift cards directly into the app.
8. Firehouse Subs
Signing up for the Firehouse Subs app guarantees a free large drink, and you’ll also receive a complimentary sub on your birthday. Users earn one point for every penny spent, redeemable for free subs and salads.
9. Jack in the Box
The Jack in the Box app features exclusive offers like two free tacos with any purchase or 10% off your order, plus the convenience of saving your favorite meals for quick, one-tap ordering.
10. Jamba Juice
New users of Jamba Juice can enjoy a $3 discount on your order after activating your account. You’ll also receive a free treat on your birthday and a $3 reward for every 35 points earned.
11. Krispy Kreme
Free doughnuts, anyone? By registering for the Krispy Kreme app, you can claim a complimentary Original Glazed doughnut upon joining and on your birthday. With continued purchases, you can earn free boxes of doughnuts and drinks, making it an excellent choice for office and school snacks.
12. McDonald’s
In comparison to other fast-food restaurants, McDonald’s provides solid coupon and reward offers through its app, perfect for fast-food enthusiasts or moments when you’re in a bind. Users gain immediate access to food discounts like $2 off a Signature Crafted sandwich with mobile orders or complimentary fries with any purchase on Fridays.
Moreover, McDonald’s offers McCafe rewards, earning you a free drink after purchasing five—regardless of size.
13. Panera Bread
With MyPanera Rewards, members can earn gifts for their birthdays, spending, and other occasions. It’s common for me to receive free coffee or bagels throughout the month with no additional purchase needed. I also appreciate the app’s rewards for visits rather than the total spent.
14. Pick Up Stix
Every dollar spent at Pick Up Stix earns you one “Fortune.” After accumulating 100 Fortunes, you can exchange them for a free entrée. Sign up via Facebook and receive bonus Fortunes to kickstart your rewards.
15. PizzaRev
PizzaRev enthusiasts earn one point for every dollar spent through their app. After hitting 100 points, you can redeem them for a complimentary pizza or salad. Members of Rev Rewards also receive special treats on their birthdays.
16. Starbucks
With the Starbucks app, earn two stars for every dollar spent, along with a complimentary drink or food item on your birthday. Additionally, a free item awaits you for every 125 stars earned, complete with promotional rewards for certain beverage purchases. (See also: 7 Starbucks Savings Hacks That Actually Work)
17. Sonic
The Sonic app provides an immediate reward of a free slush upon signing up. Monthly offers are added to your Sonic app account, including deals for a $1.99 Wacky Pack (Sonic’s kid meal) and half-off shakes or blasts. (See also: Best Kids Eat Free Restaurants)
18. Subway
Earn tokens with each Subway purchase. Collect 100 tokens to receive a $2 off coupon. The app also includes surprise bonuses, such as a free cookie on your birthday, alongside special deals redeemable via your smartphone.
19. Whataburger
Whataburger rewards users based on visits rather than spending. After using the app on five separate occasions, you can select from freebies such as a honey butter chicken biscuit, medium fries, taquito, cinnamon roll, or a small shake on your next visit.
20. Yogurtland
Join Yogurtland’s Real Rewards program and earn an initial free three ounces for registration, plus another three ounces on your birthday. Each ounce purchased earns you a point, with a tiered reward system (Green, Raspberry, and Platinum) boosting your benefits as you hit 60 points for even more freebie ounces.
Strategies for Maximizing Savings with Fast Food Apps
It’s clear that these apps are designed to encourage spending on fast food in exchange for free rewards, but here are three methods to effectively lower your costs while still enjoying benefits.
Purchase Discounted Gift Cards
Searching for discounted gift cards on platforms like eBay and other reputable sites can yield savings on your fast food expenses. Load these cards onto your account and earn rewards through the app. Look for deals at warehouse clubs like Costco, which routinely offer discounted Jamba Juice cards.
Utilize Gift Card Promotions
Restaurants occasionally run promotions such as “buy a certain amount of gift cards and receive a free meal or drink.” You can buy these gift cards for a free item in one transaction, then load the cards into the app, enabling you to keep earning rewards without additional spending.
Break Transactions for More Coupon Use
Typically, combining multiple coupons into one transaction isn’t allowed, but many fast-food establishments permit separate transactions to utilize various coupons.
