The 28 Best Fast Food Apps for Frugal Foodies

Jan 30, 2021 | Food, Freebies & Deals

Need to dash through a drive-through on the way home? Don’t pay full price for your fast food meals when you can save your hard-earned dollar bills with just a click. We’ve got the 411 on the best fast food apps that you NEED to download!

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We know, we know. You probably already have SO many apps on your phone. Maybe you don’t want to clutter up that home screen… but trust us. These apps are all worth the download. Hands down!

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Whether you’re looking to save some dough on ice cream, burgers, or Taco Tuesday, keep on reading. We’ve got the skinny on the essential fast food and restaurant apps you need to save some dough on your (pizza) dough. Frugal foodies, rejoice!


HOW TO BUDGET FOR EATING OUT

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One of the biggest misconceptions about frugal living is that it's no fun. That's just not true! Getting control of your budget actually gives you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy life more.

Being on a budget does not mean you can't eat out! You just have to be mindful about how you're spending money from your “other” budget, and making sure you're finding deals and steals when you can to stretch your money even further.

We go in-depth on all the principles of frugal living in our Budget Bootcamp, so if you need help whipping that wallet into shape, definitely check it out!

Now that we've gotten that little PSA out of the way, let's get to the Freebies and discounts galore from your favorite restaurants right on your phone. Here we go!


THE 21 BEST FAST FOOD APPS TO DOWNLOAD RIGHT NOW

Stop what you're doing, stretch out those fingers, fire up the WiFi, and get ready to fill your phone with these fast food apps. You're about to save a TON of money. You're welcome!

THE BEST FAST APPS FOR TACO TUESDAY

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  • Cafe Rio – If you know, you know! Utah peeps, raise your hands. Download the Cafe Rio app, sign up for their incredible rewards programs, and you'll instantly receive a $5.00 credit. That's free money in your pocket and delicious tacos in your belly! No Cafe Rio in your area? Try this Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe!
  • Chipotle – Free burritos? Sign us up! Get the Chipotle app to order online and earn points. For every dollar you spend, you get ten points. Once you hit 1,250 points, you can redeem them for a free entree. 
  • QDOBA – Scan your QDOBA app at checkout and earn rewards with each purchase. Redeem for free burritos, queso, and more. Oh, and the guac is always free here!
  • Taco Bell – It's pretty dang hard to beat the prices at Taco Bell, but why turn down freebies?! Download their app to start earning rewards that you can redeem for your favorite guilty pleasures. Oh, and you instantly get a FREE Doritos Locos Taco. Bring on that cheesy goodness. Heck yeah!

THE BEST FAST FOOD APPS FOR BURGER LOVERS

  • Burger King – As one Reddit user puts it, the Burger King app has “ridiculous deals.” In that case, sign us up! New users, you even get a free Whopper!
  • Culver's – Cheese curds, anyone?! Get a BOGO Value Basket on the Culver’s app. Choose your favorite sandwich, side, and drink. Talk about a STEAL! Who can resist a good BOGO?!
  • McDonald's – Talk about an American classic! With the McDonald's app, you can score free fries every single Friday. Ba da ba ba ba… we're lovin' it!
  • Steak ‘n Shake – Download their Steak ‘n Shake rewards club app to score a free milkshake with your first purchase. For every 50 points that you earn in-app, you'll get a $5 coupon.
  • Wendy's – You're just a click away from a free Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger. And the deals don't end there! Wendy's saves all kinds of exclusive offers for their app users.

THE BEST FAST FOOD APPS FOR SWEET TREATS

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  • Baskin Robbins – Download the Baskin Robbins app, and you'll get a free regular scoop after you sign up for their mobile deals. How sweet is that?!
  • Dairy Queen – I scream, you scream, we all scream for FREE ice cream! Oh, yes, we do! Get the Dairy Queen app for a free small blizzard. Sweet! The only question is — which flavor will you choose?!
  • Krispy Kreme – That hot donuts sign is a sight for sore eyes! So is this deal. Download the Krispy Kreme app and sign up for their rewards program, and you’ll get a free donut!
  • Sonic – This deal is crazy good! Just beware of a slushie addiction. Download the Sonic app and score 50% off drinks and slushies when you order in-app. But wait! There's more. As soon as you enroll in their rewards program, you'll get a free medium slush, a coupon to save 50% on a Sonic Blast, plus a coupon for a $1.99 kid's meal.

THE BEST FAST FOOD APPS FOR BREAKFAST

  • Dunkin' – Any Coolatta fans in the Freebs nation? This Dunkin' app is for you! Download it and instantly receive a free beverage of your choice. You can also score all sorts of exclusive coupons for app users.
  • Einstein Bros Bagels- Pay through the app and earn rewards with every purchase. Join their Schmear Society to earn two points for every buck you spend. You get a free bagel and schmear just for signing up. Yum!
  • Starbuck's – Order in the app, pick up at the drive-through, and earn stars as you go! Redeem your Starbucks Rewards Stars for free drinks, sandwiches, baked goods, and more. 

THE BEST FAST FOOD APPS FOR SANDWICH FANS

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  • Arby's – Who can resist those curly fries? Not us. Download the Arby's app for all sorts of coupons and exclusives. Also, sign up for their email list, and you'll get free fries and a drink with any sandwich purchase.
  • Chick-fil-A – You guys! This Chick-fil-A app is everything. It just might be one of the best fast food apps ever, because they give away so many freebies every month, pretty much just because. We're talking sandwiches, breakfast, milkshakes; you name it! And they pretty much have the best chicken sandwich around. Just saying!
  • Jimmy John's – With their Freaky Fast Rewards, you'll earn a free sandwich after the first order! After that, earn points as you go, save your favorite meals, and get your subs even faster. 
  • Panera – It's easy to rack up points in the Panera My Rewards program, but they also surprise with tons of freebies all the time! Plus, you get a free pastry when you download the app. Oh, and they send you birthday freebies!
  • Subway – Order online, earn rewards for every purchase you make, and get access to exclusive surprise discounts on the Subway app! You can redeem your points for free drinks, chips, cookies, subs, and more. You can also save your favorite orders, which is a huge time saver! 

Pro Tip: Why not use one of these deals and head out for a breakfast date?! It's so much cheaper than dinner, and you won't have to miss the kids' bedtime. If you think you can't afford a sitter when you're on a budget, think again. We've got the deets on how much to pay a babysitter and how to budget for childcare.


7 RESTAURANT APPS WORTH YOUR WHILE, TOO

Craving a sit-down meal that doesn't require you to do the dishes? Oh, and that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Splurge on a night out without blowing through your budget! These restaurant apps will help you score the best freebies and deals.

  • Applebee's – Get a free app with your first order when you sign up for the Applebee's rewards program.
  • Buffalo Wild Wings – Download the Buffalo Wild Wings app and make sure you check in each time you visit. You'll rack up points to exchange for free wings!
  • Chili’s – Sign up for the Chili's rewards program and score free chips and salsa at every visit! They also send birthday freebies.
  • Denny’s – Score 20% of your next visit when you join Denny's rewards program. You also get a free birthday meal and access to tons of exclusive coupons.
  • IHOP – Pancakes, anyone?! How about FREE pancakes? Download the IHOP app and sign up for rewards to get free pancakes when you register, on your birthday, and on your anniversary of signing up.
  • Red Lobster – Any seafood lovers out there? Sign up for My Red Lobster Rewards, and you'll get 75 points for free. After that, each dollar you spend earns you a point. At 125 points, you can choose your own freebie.
  • TGIFridays – Sign up for the TGIFriday's rewards program in the app and get a free appetizer or dessert with the first meal you order.

Go forth and save! You'd be crazy not to cash in on these restaurant deals.


The only question that remains is where are you going for dinner tonight? Were there any amazing apps we missed? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Looking for more deals and steals? That's pretty much our specialty!

Happy noshing!

4 Comments

  1. John Hewes

    I have been trying to use Burger King’s new app without success. I complete my order and then click on “check availability” only to receive message after message stating that the order isn’t available at this location. I change the order to something else and still get the same message. I have yet to successfully place an order on the new app! Why have an app if the local stores can refuse to fill the order?

    Reply
  2. threads bay

    I love these apps! They make eating out so much easier and cheaper.

    Reply
  3. puzzle ans

    I love these apps! They make eating out so much easier and cheaper.

    Reply
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    Snaptube is a complete entertainment app that brings video streaming, video download, audio downloads, and much more. You can download social media videos including insta stories, reels, WA statuses, TikTok & YT videos, and much more.

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