Birthday Rewards 6 Coffee Chains Offer

Why wait one whole year (or four years for your Leap Day geezers) to treat yourself when your birthday only comes once a year (or once every four years)? Enjoy a day in a spa, sample the best and worst of the Cheesecake Factory’s gargantuan menu or fly abroad to celebrate. Or, you can cash in all your birthday rewards. Stores and restaurants throughout the country have birthday rewards or freebies sometime on or around your special day. There are free samples to free menu items, discounts, or better yet, increased rewards points, and these rewards make your birthday a little bit sweeter.

If you are among the group of people who love coffee … you can breathe a sigh of relief. Loyal customers are rewarded with birthday rewards from many coffee chains, through their apps or upon showing up a valid ID that displays your birth date. However, not all coffee chains provide these rewards, so we have brought together six coffee franchises that are more than happy to celebrate your birthday through them.

Starbucks

As of 2023, Statista ranks Starbucks as the most popular coffee chain in the United States. It is found in airports, strip malls, grocery stores, and in storefronts everywhere. For that reason, it makes sense that you will most likely be close to a store on your birthday. That’s good news because you will certainly want to visit your local Starbucks for your favorite menu hacks … and your special reward. 

Starbucks says that anyone who has earned and kept on Gold Status on the mobile app is eligible for a reward for a single free drink on their birthday. This isn’t good news because this means that not all rewards members will receive the big day perk, but for those that do, the reward will automatically show up on your account on your birthday and will be valid for 30 days. 

So users on the r/starbucks subreddit say, you may still be able to get free birthday drink even without the app. Your local Starbucks has complete discretion over whether or not they grant you a free birthday drink, and there’s no guarantee that they will, but if your local Starbucks does grant you a free birthday drink you will most likely be asked to show your ID to prove it’s your birthday. This perk is not universally available, so it’s best not to rely on this request being honored. 

Dutch Bros

There is no doubt that Dutch Bros Coffee is a brand on the rise. The Oregon based coffee chain is famous for its delicious mix of coffee, tea, energy drinks and smoothies (among other items), and has almost 1,000 locations in the U.S., having become popular among many coffee connoisseurs due to the social media platforms like TikTok and its reputation for providing excellent and friendly service. If you are a fan of Dutch Bros or just curious about the buzz, you will be happy to know that the brand provides a free beverage for your birthday.

Dutch Bros also has an app-based birthday reward that is similar to Starbucks. Activate this reward by downloading the Dutch Bros app, but if not, the chain’s website also invites guests to ask employees about receiving a discount on their special day. However, you will need to have proof of your birthday on you if you are ordering.

Caribou Coffee

For starters, Caribou Coffee is a Minnesota favorite with a national presence, as it is home to the best beans for your percolator. Delicious brews, sandwiches, treats and mixed drinks, and a pretty sweet birthday reward for customers, too, are on offer through the chain. Like the previous brands, Caribou is also offering a birthday reward for rewards members via its app but it can be redeemed for a free drink anytime during the birthday week. There is however, some conditions for this app based reward. 

In order to receive the reward, you have to be active on the Caribou Coffee app at least once every 6 months, according to the r/CaribouCoffee subreddit. But even if your local Caribou store cannot make your free birthday drink with the app, they may well do so without it, and this is entirely up to the employees at your store.

Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee is one of the best roasters in the nation and a California institution. The first Peet’s opened in Berkeley, Calif., in 1966, and there are now nearly 300 Peet’s locations across the U.S. In addition, Peet’s sells its coffee beans in grocery stores in an extensive line. If you are lucky enough to live close to a shop, there are various coffee or tea drink to have, and if it’s your birthday you may be eligible to get your free reward. 

Like other coffee chains, the reward for Peet’s birthday (a free beverage) is included in the app based rewards program. In order to be eligible for it, you have to have been enrolled in its reward program for at least a week. You will have 14 days to redeem the reward in stores once the reward is issued. In addition, you had to have made a purchase in the past 6 months prior to your birthday.

Scooter’s

Peet’s Coffee is one of the best roasters in the nation and a California institution. The first Peet’s opened in Berkeley, Calif., in 1966, and there are now nearly 300 Peet’s locations across the U.S. In addition, Peet’s sells its coffee beans in grocery stores in an extensive line. If you are lucky enough to live close to a shop, there are various coffee or tea drink to have, and if it’s your birthday you may be eligible to get your free reward. 

Like other coffee chains, the reward for Peet’s birthday (a free beverage) is included in the app based rewards program. In order to be eligible for it, you have to have been enrolled in its reward program for at least a week. You will have 14 days to redeem the reward in stores once the reward is issued. In addition, you had to have made a purchase in the past 6 months prior to your birthday.

Dunkin’

One of its slogans is ‘America runs on Dunkin.’ From its variety of fabulous iced coffees to cheeky promotions (like Sabrina Carpenter’s Shaken Espresso ad), budget friendly menu, and tasty donuts, the New England based coffee chain has a cult following of fans and customers. That being said, those who are seeking a free sweet treat (or coffee) from Dunkin’ on their birthday may be disappointed. 

Dunkin’ does have a birthday reward that it offers customers using its mobile app, but it’s not a free coffee. Instead, members of the Dunkin’ rewards will get three times the amount of points for each purchase they make on their birthday. It might be worth it for some to order a dozen donuts, and maybe even another run, to Dunkin, on the way home. The free drink may not sit well with some customers, however, since quite a few coffee shops already provide a free drink to customers. For the sake of those looking for a treat to rack up points, this one might be just as sweet, then again.