Lindsey Desmet
Many retailers and restaurants offer discounts for seniors; these promotions can include a percentage off of a purchase, discounts on select items, or even free items like coffee or other beverages.
Below, we list the restaurants that offer free coffee to seniors — including minimum ages and other requirements — as well as the places that offer discounted coffee or rewards programs.
What We Recommend
For free senior coffee (and other beverages) that you can get any time, we recommend visiting Whataburger. It doesn’t have a set minimum age requirement for the discount.
If there are no Whataburger locations in your area, you could also consider visiting a Big Boy restaurant, which offers free coffee with unlimited refills at most locations to customers over the age of 62.
The List
There are a few places that offer free coffee for seniors, and several that offer discounts on coffee or a percentage off the total purchase. Others have rewards programs that allow you to earn points toward future purchases.
We list the policies by the establishment, including information on age and other requirements at each location.
We gathered this information by contacting customer service representatives and store associates at each chain to confirm their policies.
1. Whataburger
- Senior discount: Free coffee and other beverages for seniors all day[1]
- Age requirement: No set age limit or proof of age required[1]
- Other requirements: To get a free senior coffee, you’ll need to purchase at least one other item from the menu.[1]
- Find a Whataburger
2. Big Boy
- Senior discount: Free coffee with unlimited refills for seniors is available at most Big Boy restaurant locations; many locations also offer a punch card for seniors to earn extra discounts.[2]
- Age requirement: Varies by location; typically 62 and older[2]
- Other requirements: To get a free senior coffee, you’ll need to purchase a meal from the Especially for Seniors menu.[2]
- Find a Big Boy
3. Wendy’s
- Senior discount: Free or discounted beverages for seniors at some Wendy’s locations; Wendy’s restaurants are franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[3]
- Age requirement: Varies by location[3]
- Other requirements: Vary by location[3]
- Find a Wendy’s
4. Dunkin’
- Senior discount: Some Dunkin’ locations offer free or discounted beverages for seniors; Dunkin’ is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[4]
- Age requirement: Varies by location[4]
- Other requirements: Vary by location[4]
- Find a Dunkin’
5. Friendly’s
- Senior discount: Free coffee for seniors is available at some Friendly’s locations during breakfast hours (some Friendly’s locations offer free ice cream for seniors in the afternoon); some locations offer a 10% discount instead. Friendly’s is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[5]
- Age requirement: 55 and older[5]
- Others requirements: You may need to purchase a meal, depending on the individual location’s policy.[5]
- Find a Friendly’s
6. Burger King
- Senior discount: Seniors can get a small cup of coffee for $0.50 at many Burger King locations; Burger King restaurants are franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[6]
- Age requirement: 60 and older[6]
- Rewards program: Burger King’s app for iOS and Google Play offers savings opportunities like a free beverage or meal discount.[6]
- Find a Burger King
7. IHOP
- Senior discount: A 10% discount is available at most IHOP locations;[7] IHOP is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner. (Discount does not apply if you order from the 55 Plus menu.[8])
- Age requirement: 55 and older[7]
- Rewards: None offered, but you can join IHOP’s e-club to receive coupons by email[9]
- Find an IHOP
8. Denny’s
- Senior discount: If you’re an AARP member, you can save 15% on your order (including coffee).[10]
- Age requirement: 50 for AARP membership[10]
- Rewards program: Denny’s Rewards sends coupons and savings opportunities straight to your inbox.[11]
- Find a Denny’s
9. Einstein Bros. Bagels
- Senior discount: Some Einstein Bros. Bagels locations offer a senior discount; Einstein Bros. Bagels is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[12]
- Age requirement: 60 and older[12]
- Rewards program: If you sign up for Shmear Society Rewards, you’ll earn points that can be used for free beverages, plus you’ll be notified about savings opportunities.[13] Occasionally, Einstein Bros. Bagels has in-store promotions for a free coffee with any purchase.[12]
- Find an Einstein Bros. Bagels
10. McDonald’s
- Senior discount: Many McDonald’s locations offer discounted coffee for seniors (as previously reported); McDonald’s is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.
- Age requirement: 55 and older[14]
- Rewards program: McDonald’s app for iOS and Google Play offers exclusive coupons, including McCafe coffee coupons.[14]
- Find a McDonald’s
11. Coffee Beanery
- Senior discount: A 10% senior discount is available at some locations; The Coffee Beanery is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[15]
- Age requirement: Varies by location[15]
- Rewards program: Earn points with each purchase and exchange them for discounts if you join the Coffee Beanery Rewards program[16]
- Find a Coffee Beanery
12. Panera
- Senior discounts: Some Panera locations may offer a senior discount;[17] Panera is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.
- Age requirement: 55 and older[18]
- Rewards program: You can earn points on purchases with the MyPanera rewards program.[19]
- Find a Panera
13. Tim Hortons
- Senior discount: 10% off total purchase at most locations (as previously reported)
- Age requirement: 60 and older[20]
- Rewards program: Tim Hortons’ app for iOS offers coupons and promotions based on your favorite items and order history.
- Find a Tim Hortons
14. Carl’s Jr.
- Senior discount: 10% off total purchase at most locations (as previously reported)
- Age requirement: 55 and older[21]
- Rewards program: Sign up for Carl’s Jr. emails to receive coupons and special offers.[22]
- Find a Carl’s Jr.
15. Hardee’s
- Senior discount: Some Hardee’s locations offer a senior discount; Hardee’s is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[23]
- Age requirement: 55 and older[23]
- Rewards program: You can sign up for Hardee’s emails to receive coupons.[24]
- Find a Hardee’s
16. Jack In The Box
- Senior discount: Some locations offer seniors $0.50 off drink purchases, including coffee; Jack In The Box is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[25]
- Age requirement: 55 and older[25]
- Rewards program: You can find rewards and special offers in the Jack In The Box app for iOS and Android.[26]
- Find a Jack In The Box
17. Shoney’s
- Senior discount: Some locations offer 10% off your order and/or $0.50 off drinks, including coffee; Shoney’s is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner. Senior days featuring $6 meals are also available at some locations.[27]
- Age requirement: 60 and older[27]
- Rewards program: Get a free slice of cake for joining Shoney’s Rewards, plus special in-app offers.[28]
- Find a Shoney’s
18. Caribou Coffee
- Senior discount: Varies by location; Caribou Coffee is are franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.[29]
- Age requirement: Varies by location[29]
- Rewards program: You’ll get a free beverage on your first visit after signing up for the Caribou Perks program. With Caribou Perks you’ll earn two points for every $1 spent at Caribou (excluding gift cards). Once you reach 120 points, you’ll get a free beverage credit.[30]
- Find a Caribou Coffee
19. Starbucks
- Senior discount: No official policy, but some locations may offer a discount (as previously reported).
- Age requirement: Varies by location[31]
- Rewards program: With Starbucks Rewards, you’ll earn two “stars” for every $1 spent. Points can be redeemed for free drinks. You’ll also get free refills on hot or iced coffee and tea in-store and a free beverage on your birthday.[32]
- Find a Starbucks
See our article for details of where to buy Starbucks gift cards.
20. 7-Eleven
- Senior discount: None available[33]
- Age requirement: N/A[33]
- Rewards program: The 7REWARDS program gives you a free cup of coffee for every six you buy (making each seventh cup free). You’ll also earn points on each purchase that can be redeemed for more free drinks and snacks.[34]
- Find a 7-Eleven
21. Speedway
- Senior discount: None offered[35]
- Age requirement: N/A[35]
- Rewards program: Through Speedy Rewards, you can earn points on gas and convenience store purchases. Points can be used for free items, including coffee.[36]
- Find a Speedway
22. BIGGBY COFFEE
- Senior discount: None available[37]
- Age requirement: N/A[37]
- Rewards program: You can earn free drinks with a BIGGBY Card. You’ll earn one point for each drink purchase. After buying 12 drinks, your 13th drink is free. If you buy coffee grounds or beans from BIGGBY, you’ll earn one point for each pound of coffee and get your 10th pound free.[38]
- Find a BIGGBY COFFEE
23. Chick-fil-A
- Senior discount: None offered[39]
- Age requirement: N/A[39]
- Rewards program: With Chick-fil-A One rewards, you can earn points on every purchase and use your points for free menu items, including coffee.[40]
- Find a Chick-fil-A
24. Dunn Brothers Coffee
- Senior discount: None offered[41]
- Age requirement: N/A[41]
- Rewards: With Dunn Brothers Coffee’s app for iOS and Google Play you’ll earn a $3 reward for every $50 you spend. You’ll also get a $5 coupon to use for any coffee drink on your birthday.
- Find a Dunn Brothers Coffee
25. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- Senior discount: None available[42]
- Age requirement: N/A[42]
- Rewards program: The Coffee Bean Rewards app for iOS and Google Play offers coupons and savings opportunities, including for free beverages.
- Find a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Places That Don’t Offer Free or Discounted Coffee for Seniors
The following restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores serve coffee but do not offer free or discounted coffee for seniors.
We contacted corporate customer service representatives and store associates at the following chains to confirm that they do not have a senior discount on coffee.
- Bob Evans
- Circle K
- Cracker Barrel
- Del Taco
- Huddle House
- The Original Pancake House
- Sonic Drive-In
- Waffle House
For even more senior savings, you can check out our list of more than 100 places with senior discounts.
William Lipovsky
Cathy Desmet
Loren Eaton
