Free Food Deals You Can Get This Summer

Summer is in full swing, and there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the great weather. But after all of those fun, calorie-burning activities, you'll be ready to eat. While it can be a drag to watch your bank balance go down every time you pay for a meal out, there is a way to get a break. Most restaurants offer some kind of reward program, which can make your next meal free or discounted. All you have to do is sign up, which can often get you an instant reward (or at least one that's not too difficult to earn). How does 365 days of free queso sound? Or a free 8-inch sub on your favorite bread? Doughnuts, ice cream, Italian food or whatever you crave -- here are the best food freebies you can grab this summer and what you have to do to get them.

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Last updated: July 21, 2021

Jimmy John's

Sign up for Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Rewards program online or on the App Store or Google Play and receive an 8-inch Favorite, Original or Plain Slim sandwich for free. Plus, every purchase you make will bring your closer to your next reward. You can redeem rewards in the store or by phone by providing the phone number tied to your Freaky Fast Rewards account or by using your Freaky Fast Rewards Pass. When ordering online or in the app, click "Redeem" on the item at checkout or from the Rewards tab.

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Baskin-Robbins

Get a free regular scoop of your favorite flavor ice cream at Baskin-Robbins when you download the app on the App Store or Google Play and sign up for mobile deals. The offer excludes all waffle cone varieties and toppings, and you must pay applicable taxes. Redeem the offer at participating Baskin-Robbins locations.

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Krispy Kreme

Sign up for Krispy Kreme's rewards program and get one of your favorite iced, glazed, filled, cake or chocolate doughnuts for free. Plus, every purchase you make brings you one step closer to your next single doughnut, dozen, coffee or specialty coffee. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play or sign up online.

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Buca di Beppo

If you enjoy family-style Italian meals -- meaning large portions -- you can get a $10 gift when you register for Buca di Beppo's eClub. To get started, sign up online. By signing up for the eClub, you'll receive coupons and special discounts, as well. The restaurant also offers daily meal deals starting at $10 per person. Plus, take advantage of Two for Tuesday: Buy any pasta and get a free Buca small pasta (which can feed three).

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Panera Bread

If you live or work nearby a Panera Bread, this could be the deal for you. Join MyPanera+ Coffee and get unlimited iced and hot coffee and hot tea -- any size and any flavor -- free for three months. You can order a new beverage once every two hours and get unlimited refills while in a Panera location. After the first three months, you'll be charged a subscription fee of $8.99 per month, so if you don't think it's worth it, cancel before that date and you'll owe nothing.

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California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is well-known for its pizzas, but its menu boasts salads, soups, small plates, pasta, sandwiches, desserts and a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Join CPK rewards and get a free small plate -- Crispy Artichoke Salad, Mexican Street Corn or Petite Wedge -- when you register. Plus, you'll get a free dessert on your birthday. To get started, sign up online.

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Burger King

Closing in on seven decades of service, Burger King is the second-biggest hamburger chain worldwide. Sign up for Burger King's Royal Perks program to get access to free food, such as a free Whopper, a free Original Chicken Sandwich or a free Croissan'wich with a $3 purchase. The best part is that these free offers are also valid on delivery orders.  Sign up here to start earning free food.

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Marble Slab Creamery 

Marble Slab Creamery offers a rainbow of ice cream flavors, as well as unlimited mix-ins, signature sundaes, shakes and smoothies. Download the Slab Happy Rewards app on Google Play or the App Store or sign up online to get started. Then, once you make your first purchase, you'll earn a sweet $5 reward to spend on your favorite Marble Slab treat. Plus, you'll get a $5 reward for your birthday. Just make sure to check the expiration dates on your rewards because they will expire.

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Raising Cane's

Join the Caniac Club at Raising Cane's and you'll get a free box combo just for signing up. To join, ask for a Caniac Club card the next time you visit Raising Cane's. Then, register your card online and verify your email address. Within 48 hours, your free box combo will be loaded on your card. By joining, you'll also receive a free drink on your birthday and a BOGO box combo reward on the anniversary of your original signup date.

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On the Border

If you're a fan of the Tex-Mex restaurant On the Border, register for Border Rewards online. Within 24 hours of signing up, you'll receive a reward in your inbox that you can exchange for a free Combo 2 or 3. Also, after joining, if you order a bowl of queso and pay a $1 membership fee while dining in the restaurant, you'll get access to the premium tier of Border Rewards, also known as the Queso Club, which will unlock 365 days of free queso.

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About the Author

Cynthia Measom

Cynthia Measom is a personal finance writer and editor with over 12 years of collective experience. Her articles have been featured in MSN, Aol, Yahoo Finance, INSIDER, Houston Chronicle, The Seattle Times and The Network Journal. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

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