Make Money

Paid Surveys

Gig Jobs

Passive Income

Free Food: 8 Legit Ways to Get Free Food in 2024

DollarBreak is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation. Disclosure.

Best Websites to Get Free Food

Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys logo

$0.50 – $5 on average per survey with bonus points ($1 sign up bonus)

Average survey length is 10-20 minutes and minimum payout is $5

Collect rewards in PayPal, Direct Deposit or gift cards (100+ brands)

Swagbucks

Swagbucks logo

$0.50 to $1.50 per survey – earn up to $100 each month using Swagbucks

18 unique ways to earn money and free gift cards, plus $5 sign up bonus

Redeem e-gift cards from $1 or withdraw $5 minimum payment from PayPal

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie logo

$0.50 – $3 per survey + extra ways to earn up to $100 with focus groups

Each survey time varies, but on average it takes 15 minutes to complete

Redeem rewards using PayPal, e-giftcards or bank transfer when earned at least $5

8 Ways to Get Free Food

Participate in Surveys


Branded Surveys Summary

  • $1 sign up bonus
  • Earn $0.50-$5 on average per survey
  • Average survey length is 15 min
  • Pays by bank transfer, PayPal & gift cards
  • Cash out from $5
  • Bonuses available for daily survey takers

Participating in online surveys is one of the best ways to get free food gift cards from various food chains and grocery stores. There are many survey sites offering gift cards to get free food vouchers in exchange for your honest opinion about certain topics. 

Some of the best survey sites for free food include: 

After completing the survey with these sites, you’ll get rewards that you can redeem for a gift card or cash.

surveys for free food

Use Cashback Apps


Ibotta Summary

  • 2 ways to earn – app or browser extension
  • Earn up to 30% cash back on purchases
  • Get a $5 bonus by referring friends
  • Over 1500 stores you can earn cash back at

Using cashback apps, you’ll be getting discounted deals and collect points that you can redeem for free food vouchers or restaurant gift cards.

Ibotta is one of the best cashback apps that reward you for shopping online or in-store at partner retailers. For example, you can earn $0.25 to $4 cash-back on each qualifying product you purchase at Walmart.

Once you’ve earned at least $20 with Ibotta, you can redeem your funds for gift cards that can get you free food or groceries. 

Here’s the list of some of Ibotta partners that can get you free food:

  • ACME
  • Costco
  • Food Lion
  • Burger King
  • GrubHub
  • 7-Eleven

Alternatively, you can withdraw your Ibotta earnings via PayPal or bank account and spend it the way you want it.

Become a Mystery Diner


Restaurants and food chains need your feedback to improve their service. And mystery shopping programs usually offer free restaurant visits. 

As a mystery shopper/diner, you’ll basically need to act as if you’re a regular customer and provide your honest feedback after leaving the place.

Here’s the step-by-step sneak peak to what your job as a mystery diner is:

  1. You visit the qualifying restaurant or a fast-food chain
  2. Next, you order the food
  3. You pay for the food
  4. Provide an honest feedback about your experience – you’ll need to complete a questionnaire your mystery shopping program will provide you
  5. Your mystery shopping program will reimburse you the bill
  6. Plus, most mystery shopping programs offer additional money on top of the reimbursed bill

Sign Up for Restaurant Apps or Newsletters


To increase their sales, many restaurants offer apps or newsletters you can join to get discounts on your orders, or free food delivery.

And most apps and newsletters even offer free food quite frequently to introduce you to new meals or increase their sales. 

Keep reading this article to discover 15 restaurant apps to download for free food at the bottom of this page.

Find Free Food Sample Spaces at Grocery Stores


There are a lot of grocery stores that are offering free food samples to attract new customers. 

You simply need to find grocery stores in your area, visit them and get your favorite meal or snacks. Be aware that it won’t feel like eating at a restaurant, but still, you’ll get free food and a fun experience. 

Enter Eating Competitions


A food eating competition is the best way to grab free food. Plus, if you win, you have a chance to get some exciting prizes or rewards. 

Even if you can’t win the competition, you’ll still get the satisfaction of eating free food and having fun at the same time.

Attend Meet & Greet and Networking Events


Typical meet and greet, or networking events always include free food. Simply find events that focus on topics that interest you. It may be a students’ networking event, or people of common background gathering to share their thoughts and experiences.

Whatever event you decide to join, you’ll get 2 benefits into 1 – you’ll get free food and network with like-minded people.

Attend Supermarket Openings & Restaurant Launches


When there’s a new supermarket or a restaurant opening in an area, they usually host mini welcome parties. As an opening attendee, you’ll be able to grab some free food a supermarket or a restaurant offers to all guests. 

The food you might see at supermarket and restaurant openings may include:

  • Sandwiches
  • Salads
  • Snacks
  • Cakes
  • Beverages like champagne, wine, cocktail, juice, soda

15 Restaurant Apps to Download for Free Food


Quite a lot of free restaurants offer free food through their apps, and some companies offer free food vouchers online. 

Here’s the list of 15 companies that give free food:

Acapulco

If you’re a Mexican food lover, then download the Acapulco app to get free food. All you need to do is sign up for the e-club, to get a free appetizer when you have an adult entrée.

Applebee’s

Applebee’s is similar to Acapulco; you need to sign-up for their newsletters and will get reward points for every dollar spent. Alternatively you can get a free appetizer when you order an entree. 

Auntie Anne’s 

Once you have downloaded Auntie Anne’s app, you’ll get a free pretzel for your first purchase. If you spend $30, you’ll get another free pretzel.

Baskin Robbins 

Get a free scoop of ice cream when you download the Baskin Robbins app and sign up for mobile deals. 

Backyard Burgers 

Get a free burger as soon as you’ve finished the sign-up process.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Opt-in for the royalty program to get free wings on your birthday. Plus, you’ll get rewards for every purchase.

Burger King 

Get 50 reward points when you spend $5 that you can later redeem for free meal.

California Pizza Kitchen 

Get a $5 free reward and a small plate meal when you download the California Pizza Kitchen app. You’ll also get a free dessert on your birthday. 

Chipotle 

Get free points on your orders that you can redeem for free food later on. You’ll even get free food as a gift on your birthday.

Johnny Rockets

By joining the e-club of Johnny Rockets you’ll get a free burger for your first purchase. Plus, you’ll get notifications when Jonny Rockets has free deals and offers.

McDonald’s 

Find deals and offers every week. For example, get 5 McCafe drinks and get one free.

Pizza Inn 

Get a free medium chocolate chip pizza when you download the Pizza Inn app.

Steak ‘n Shake

Get a free milkshake after your first purchase if you download the Steak ‘n Shake app.

Wendy’s 

Get a free six-piece spicy nugget for each order you make through the Wendy’s app.

Yogurtland 

Join the real rewards account to get 3oz yogurt for free.


Photo of author

Kate Starr

Dollarbreak

About the author:

The content on dollarbreak.com is for informational and educational purposes only and cannot replace any professional financial advice.
Conduct your own research and seek the advice of a licensed financial advisor. Please read the full Terms of use and Privacy Policy.