You’re leaving free food on the table — literally. Signing up for a restaurant loyalty program takes less than two minutes, and the welcome perks alone can score you everything from free appetizers to a free pizza. We’ve rounded up 17 of the best sign-up offers, ranked by value.

Look for 🍟 fast casual and 🍽️ sit-down dining. Let’s eat!

No-Minimum Freebies: Zero Dollars, Maximum Reward

The cream of the crop, these offers don’t require any purchase. Just sign up and dig in.

🍽️ Outback Steakhouse (Dine Rewards) | ~669 locations 🧅

• Free Bloomin’ Onion (up to $13.49 value) just for joining
• Redeem in-restaurant, on Outback.com, or via the app
• ⏰ Arrives in your wallet within 24-48 hours; expires 90 days after sign-up

🍟 Taco Bell (Taco Bell Rewards) | ~7,600 locations 🌮

• Free choice of one welcome item: Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupa, Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, Seasoned Beef Soft Taco, or Beefy 5-Layer Burrito (selection rotates regularly)
• App only at participating US locations
• ⏰ Valid 14 days — don’t sit on this one

🍟 Krispy Kreme (Rewards) | ~352 locations 🍩

• Free glazed doughnut just for signing up
• Redeem at a Krispy Kreme location only (not grocery or gas station kiosks)

Small Purchase, Seriously Big Payoff

These ones require a minimum purchase of $1 or their terms state “any purchase.” So find something cheap and score your freebie! 

🍟 Wendy’s (Wendy’s Rewards) | ~6,000 locations 🍗

• Free 10-piece nuggets with any purchase, plus 200 bonus points (which is enough for 4 more nuggets or small seasoned breakfast potatoes)
• 💡 Grab a Jr. Fries and you’ll hit your minimum with a perfect pairing for those nuggs

🍟 Papa Murphy’s (Murphy’s Rewards) | ~1,200 locations 🍕

• $1 medium one-topping pizza, no other purchase required — one of the strongest dollar-for-dollar deals on this list with a whole pizza for a buck
• Take-and-bake: you finish it at home

🍟 Hardee’s & Carl’s Jr. (CKE Restaurants) | ~2,600 combined locations 🍔

• Hardee’s: free item from five choices – Famous Star, Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich, Frisco Burger, Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit, or Frisco Breakfast Sandwich with $1+ purchase
• Carl’s Jr.: free item from three Western Bacon Cheeseburger, Famous Star, or Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich with $1+ purchase
• Hardee’s is Midwest/South; Carl’s Jr. is West/Southwest
• 💡 Any small drink clears the minimum and is a great companion for your entree of choice 

🍟 Panera (MyPanera Rewards) | ~2,200 locations 🥐

• Free bakery treat or bagel with any purchase
• 💡 A coffee or soup gets you there

🍟 Church’s Chicken (Church’s Rewards) | ~800 locations 🍗

• Free 2-piece leg and thigh OR 3-piece tenders with any purchase
• 💡 A biscuit or side will get you the freebie and make for a full meal

🍟 Cinnabon (Cinnabon Rewards) | ~800+ locations 😋

• Free 4 BonBites with any purchase

A Little More of a Minimum: $5 and Up

🍟 Zaxby’s (Zax Rewardz) | ~980 locations, strong in Southeast and Texas 🍗

• Free 5 chicken fingers with $5+ purchase
• 💡 A drink and a side gets you there

🍟 Wingstop (Wingstop Rewards) | ~1,720 locations 🍗

• Free chicken sandwich with $5+ purchase
• 💡 A small wings order or fries covers it

🍟 Freddy’s (Freddy’s Rewards) | ~560 locations 🍔

• Free Original Double or Regular Concrete (frozen custard) with $5+ purchase
• 💡 Fries or a hot dog covers the minimum

Sit-Down Dining Deals

🍽️ Red Robin (Red Robin Royalty) | ~500 locations ❤️

• Free appetizer with $10+ purchase
• 💡 Add an entrée each and two people have a full meal covered

🍽️ Applebee’s (Applebee’s Rewards) | ~1,614 locations 🍎

• Free starter with $15+ purchase
• 💡 Add an entrée each and you’ll have have dinner for two handled

🍽️ Buffalo Wild Wings (B-Dubs Rewards) | ~1,323 locations 🍔

• Free burger with $15+ purchase
• 💡 A wings order clears the minimum; the free burger plus your order easily feeds two

Honorable Mentions ⭐

McDonald’s (MyMcDonald’s Rewards) | ~13,400 locations — At the moment, their offer is free large fries with a $1 minimum; but sometimes it rotates to a free Big Mac – grab a small fries with that one and you’ll be all set. Check before signing up for the best value. 🍔

Chili’s (My Chili’s Rewards) | ~1,200 locations — Free chips and salsa on every visit with a $5 minimum (ongoing, not just sign-up). Pop in for a drink and they’re on the house. 🌶️

Related: Outback Steakhouse Savings: Weekday Deals + Three-Course Aussie Meal