Thread: Restaurant Discounts for Seniors

Restaurant Discounts for Seniors

Seniors Can Dine for Less by Simply Asking

By Donna L Montaldo, About.com Guide

Many restaurants, both local and national, offer senior discounts such as a free cup of morning coffee, two-for one menu specials, early-bird discounts, special senior menus or a percentage off the total meal. It is important to ask about senior discounts before ordering because the discounts are not always advertised.

Often restaurant chain employees are trained not to suggest the discounts or senior menus because of age sensitivity. Therefore most restaurants will not apply the available senior discounts unless a request is made.

When dining at national restaurant chains it is a good idea to confirm what discounts are offered at a specific location. Many restaurant chains are franchises and the corporate discount policies may not be mandatory at all franchise locations.

What age a person is considered "senior" varies considerably from one restaurant to the next. Many of the national chain restaurants offer discounts for anyone between the age of 50 - 55, whereas local (non-chain) restaurants tend to offer savings to those 60 to 65 years of age.

Some restaurants require proof-of-age, such as a driver's license or state identification cards. Others will give the discount to any mature person simply because they ask for it.

Big Eater?
If you have a big appetite, you might want to order from the regular menu. Items on the senior menu are often smaller portions than the regular menu.

Restaurants Offering Senior Discounts Include:
•Arby's
•Bakers Square
•Bennigan's Bob's Big Boy
•Boston Market
•Burger King
•Carl's Jr.
•Carrows
•Chick-fil-A
•Chili's Grill & Bar
•Church's Chicken
•Coco's Bakery Restaurants
•Country Kitchen
•Dairy Queen
•Denny's
•Dunkin Donuts
•El Pollo Loco
•Elephant Bar Restaurant
•Fosters Freeze
•Fresh Choice
•Friendly's Restaurant and Ice Cream
•Fuddruckers
•Golden Corral
•Gondola Pizza & Steak House
•Grandy's
•Hardees
•HomeTown Buffet
•IHOP
•Jack in the Box
•Kentucky Fried Chicken
•Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
•Krystals
•Le Peep
•Long John Silver's
•McDonald's
•Mrs. Fields Cookies
•Ponderosa Steakhouse
•Popeye's Fried Chicken
•Shoney's
•Sizzler
•Sonic Drive In
•Souper Salad
•T.J. Cinnamons
•Taco Bell
•TCBY
•Todai
•Village Inn
•Wendy's
•Whataburger

Discounts and age requirements may vary depending on the location of the restaurant. Asking before ordering is always a good idea.

Other Sources for Restaurant Discounts
Look for coupons and special dining offers in the local newspaper, hotel travel magazines, rest stops and state welcome centers, the phone book and mailers.

There are Web sites which have discounts for dining at specific restaurants, many of which do not offer senior discounts. Making a reservation or buying a restaurant gift certificate may be required in order to get a discount.

•OpenTable.com

•RewardsNetwork.com

•Restauant.com

The AARP
Organizations such as the AARP offers its members an AARP card which can be shown for discounts at several participating restaurants around the country. The low annual fee is quickly reimbursed by those who take advantage of the available discounts. Visit the AARP Web site for more details.


State and City Tourist Web Sites
The Internet has become an excellent source for finding restaurant coupons. State and city Web sites designed for visitors and tourists often have printable coupons for local restaurants.

National Restaurant Chain Printable Coupons
Many of the large national restaurant chains offer printable coupons on their Web sites or free membership clubs which rewards regular patrons points which can be redeemed for discounts or menu items. For a list of restaurants visit Special Offers and Free Printable Coupons for Restaurants Nationwide.

Seniordiscounts.com is a good source for searching for senior discounts in specific locations. Visitors can join for a fee and search the site's database by city and state and zip code.

If vanity is stopping you from taking advantage of all the great savings, try to get over it. Use the money to pamper yourself or do something really fun. Come on...you've earned it!

Senior Discounts - Restaurants Offering Senior Discounts