Free Coffee for Seniors: Big Boy? Dunkin’? Friendly’s? etc

Lindsey Desmet | Updated 1/14/2019 |
Two senior citizens stand with their cups of discounted coffee.

Many retailers and restaurants offer discounts for seniors. Sometimes senior discounts include free items, such as a complimentary beverage. Big Boy, Friendly’s, and Whataburger are some of the places that offer free coffee for seniors, though availability may vary by location. We have the list of restaurants that offer free coffee to seniors, as well as the list of places that offer discounted coffee or rewards programs.

In This Article

Where to Get Free Coffee for Seniors

There are a few places that offer free coffee for seniors. We have the list of places, plus information on age and other requirements at each location. We contacted corporate customer service representatives and store associates at each chain to confirm their policies on free coffee for seniors.

1. Big Boy

  • Offer and availability: 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.
  • Age requirement: May vary by location; typically 62 and older
  • Other requirements: To get a free senior coffee, you will need to purchase a meal from the Especially for Seniors menu.
  • Find a Big Boy near you

2. Dunkin’

  • Offer and availability: Some Dunkin’ locations offer free or discounted beverages for seniors; Dunkin’ is franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.
  • Age requirement: Varies by location
  • Other requirements: Vary by location
  • Find a Dunkin’ near you

3. Friendly’s

  • Offer and availability: 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.
  • Age requirement: 55 and older
  • Others requirements: A meal purchase may be required, depending on the individual location’s policy.
  • Find a Friendly’s near you

4. Wendy’s

  • Offer and availability: 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. For example, a Wendy’s in Poulsbo, Wash., and another in Topeka, Kansas, confirmed that they offer free drinks (including coffee) to seniors 55 and older.
  • Age requirement: Varies by location
  • Other requirements: Vary by location
  • Find a Wendy’s near you

5. Whataburger

  • Offer and availability: Free coffee and other beverages for seniors all day.
  • Age requirement: No set age requirement; the Whataburger locations we contacted said they don’t request proof of age.
  • Other requirements: To get a free senior coffee, you’ll need to purchase at least one other item from the menu.
  • Find a Whataburger near you

Where to Get Discounted Coffee for Seniors

While the following restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores do not have free coffee for seniors, they do offer special discounts and rewards programs to help you get a cup of coffee for less. We contacted corporate customer service representatives and store associates to learn about the following store policies.

1. 7-Eleven

  • Senior discount: None available
  • 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.
  • Find a 7-Eleven near you

2. BIGGBY COFFEE

BIGGBY COFFEE locations can be found in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

  • Senior discount: None available
  • 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.
  • Find a BIGGBY COFFEE near you

3. 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.
  • Rewards program: Burger King’s app for iOS and Google Play offers savings opportunities like a free beverage or meal discount.
  • Find a Burger King near you

4. Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee locations can be found in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

  • Senior discount: Varies by location; Caribou Coffee is are franchised, so discounts are offered at the discretion of the owner.
  • 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.
  • Find a Caribou Coffee near you

5. Carl’s Jr.

6. Chick-fil-A

7. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Texas.

8. The 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.
  • Rewards program: None offered
  • Find a Coffee Beanery near you

9. Denny’s

10. Dunn Brothers Coffee

Dunn Brothers Coffee is located in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

  • Senior discount: None offered
  • 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 toward any coffee drink on your birthday.
  • Find a Dunn Brothers Coffee near you

11. 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.
  • 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. Occasionally, Einstein Bros. Bagels has in-store promotions for a free coffee with any purchase.
  • Find an Einstein Bros. Bagels near you

12. Hardee’s

13. IHOP

  • Senior discount: A 10% discount is available for those 55 and older at most IHOP locations; 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.)
  • Rewards: None offered, but you can join IHOP’s e-club to receive coupons by email.
  • Find an IHOP near you

14. 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.
  • Rewards program: None offered
  • Find a Jack In The Box near you

15. McDonald’s

16. Panera

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 sometimes offered.
  • Rewards program: None offered
  • Find a Shoney’s near you

18. Speedway

  • Senior discount: None offered
  • Rewards program: Through Speedy Rewards, you can earn points on gas and convenience store purchases. Points can be used for free items, including coffee.
  • Find a Speedway near you

19. Starbucks

Note: See our article for details of where to buy Starbucks gift cards.

20. Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons has locations in 14 states, primarily in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

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

In Summary

A few businesses offer free coffee for seniors, but more restaurants offer discounted coffee or a free beverage with a meal purchase deal. For more information on senior discounts, see our articles on senior meals at Carl’s Jr., grocery savings at Giant Food, and senior haircuts at Great Clips.

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