If you love fast food but hate spending money, you’re in luck. Many of your favorite restaurants are offering freebies, discounts, and exclusive deals—you just have to know where to look. Whether you want free burgers, gift cards, or limited-time promotions, here’s how to score big on fast food without breaking the bank.
- Get Free Food Just for Signing Up
Most major fast food chains have loyalty programs that reward new members with instant freebies. Simply downloading their app or signing up for their rewards program can score you free burgers, fries, or drinks. Some of the best sign-up bonuses include:
- McDonald’s App: Free large fries just for signing up.
- Wendy’s Rewards: Free 10-piece nuggets with your first mobile order.
- Burger King Royal Perks: Free Whopper or Croissan’wich after sign-up.
- Taco Bell Rewards: Free Doritos Locos Taco upon joining.
Once you’re in, you’ll start earning points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for even more free food.
- Snag Fast Food Gift Cards for Free
Want to eat fast food without spending a dime? You can earn free gift cards by completing simple tasks like taking surveys or using cashback apps. Here’s where to score them:
- Swagbucks & MyPoints: Earn points for answering surveys, watching videos, and shopping online. Cash out your points for free gift cards to McDonald’s, Subway, or Domino’s.
- Fetch Rewards: Scan your grocery and fast food receipts to earn points toward gift cards.
- Ibotta: Some deals offer 100% cashback on fast food purchases, making your meal free after the rebate.
These gift cards can be stacked with promotions and rewards programs to double your savings.
- Follow Restaurants for Surprise Freebies
Fast food chains love to reward their loyal fans on social media. Following your favorite restaurants on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook can unlock exclusive offers, like:
- Limited-Time Freebies: Many chains run surprise giveaways for free menu items, especially during big events.
- Birthday Rewards: Most fast food apps give you free food during your birthday month—like a free Blizzard from Dairy Queen or a free Grand Slam at Denny’s.
- Exclusive App Deals: Some restaurants offer deals only available to social media followers, like free delivery days or BOGO deals.
Make sure to turn on notifications so you never miss a giveaway or flash deal.
- Secret Hacks for Cheap (or Free) Food
If you know the right tricks, you can cut your fast food costs even further. Some of the best hacks include:
- Survey Receipts: Some chains print survey codes on receipts that let you score free items, like a free Whopper at Burger King or a free sandwich at Chick-fil-A.
- Happy Hour Deals: Places like Sonic and McDonald’s offer heavily discounted drinks and snacks during certain hours.
- Stacking Coupons: Some apps let you stack multiple deals at once—meaning you can score a free item AND a discount in the same order.
Getting free and discounted fast food is easier than ever if you know where to look. Whether you’re earning gift cards, using restaurant rewards, or hacking the system with receipt surveys, there are endless ways to enjoy your favorite meals for less. Try out these tricks today and start eating like a king—without paying full price!
