It is no secret that college students often have little money and have to manage their expenses carefully. Of course, like any person, a college student wants to spend time with their friends and have a cup of coffee at a cafe or eat some food at a restaurant. But, how can you eat well and save money when living as a student on a tight budget? In this article, we will talk about student discount food as well as give you some ideas of where you can eat at a reduced price if you have a valid ID card. Here, you will find some fast food places as well as restaurants that offer special deals to their customers.
Why do restaurants offer discounts for students?
Today, you can find a great variety of eating places with cheap student meals because they know that they are in demand. So, why are such special offers so popular in restaurants? Is the only reason to help students get affordable food? Let’s take a look at the advantages that restaurants get when offering such options to their clients and understand their point more deeply.
- Attracting new customers. Such offers are a great opportunity for restaurants to attract new customers by lowering entry barriers. Some can offer even trial visits to expand their customer base. Promotions generate buzz as well as stimulate referrals, which bring additional revenue.
- Retaining loyal customers. By providing periodic discounts, restaurants provoke customer retention because these deals often encourage repeat visits that help a restaurant build relationships that stabilize revenue.
- Competing in a crowded market. Of course, special deals are essential for restaurants that want to differentiate themselves from competitors as well as stand out from the crowd. Offering exclusive promotions, businesses gain a competitive edge that helps them drive higher customer acquisition rates.
- Encouraging word-of-mouth marketing. Did you know that discounts encourage satisfied customers to share positive experiences with their peers? This is an organic promotion that builds credibility and, of course, leads to sustained business growth without significant advertising expenses.
- Testing new menu items. Many restaurants use special deals to test new menu items. Oftentimes, clients order the dishes they have already tried and like. Thus, discounting experimental dishes can help a restaurant motivate its visitors to get a new item and share feedback that can help them refine recipes or gauge popularity.
- Cash flow. Special deals can boost cash flow because they offer sales during slow periods.
- Building brand image. Restaurants offer special deals to create their brand image. They gain a positive customer experience and build a reputation for an accessible place and student-friendly environment, for example.
Top fast-food student discounts USA
If you have been looking for fast food restaurants that offer special deals to college students, here is a list of the best options you should definitely try.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is widely known around the world, and it does not even need a word to explain what you can get there. The US McDonald’s serves iconic American fast food, including juicy burgers, crispy fries, tender chicken nuggets, fresh salads, and hearty breakfast options nationwide. Many locations provide around 10% off your meal if you are a college student.
- The discount isn’t universal across all outlets, so you will have to check locally for student-specific promotions.
Burger King
This is a great place to try flame-grilled burgers, crispy fries, tender chicken sandwiches, and savory onion rings with classic American fast-food delicious flavor. Some locations also offer a 10% discount on student purchases.
- Student discounts are available in select regions, so check your local store for details before your visit.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A specializes in tender chicken sandwiches, nuggets, salads served with signature sauces, and crisp waffle fries. As for the special offers for students, we want to mention that some outlets offer a free drink with the purchase of a meal.
- Again, not all locations participate in student discount programs, so you have to check in advance.
Dairy Queen
If you are looking for some classic fast-food treats, like burgers, hot dogs, crispy fries, and their famous soft-serve ice cream for dessert, this is the ideal place to visit. Today, many Dairy Queen restaurants offer about 10% off for students.
- Confirm with your local Dairy Queen because discount policies may differ depending on the region.
Student discount restaurants USA
Many students think that restaurants are luxury places that people with tight budgets. Actually, this is a myth. Of course, not all restaurants offer special deals, but still, there are a lot of options that you can choose from.
Chipotle
Visit this restaurant to try fresh, customizable Mexican bowls, burritos, tacos, various sourced meats, flavorful salsas, etc. Here, students can get a free drink with a meal purchase to save on extras.
- Availability of the discount can vary by location, so it’s best to ask locally.
Qdoba Mexican Eats
Qdoba offers fresh Mexican-inspired dishes, like burritos and tacos. Visitors also prefer their bowls, prepared with vibrant spices and tender meats.
- Offers may include free drinks with meal purchases or special pricing, like $5 burrito meals, at select restaurants; check your nearest location for special deals first.
Buffalo Wild Wings
The place is widely known for its hearty American fare featuring spicy wings and a selection of signature sauces. Some restaurants also offer a 10% discount to students.
- Participation in student discount programs may differ by outlet.
IHOP
Meet an extensive menu of comfort food, specializing in fluffy pancakes, hearty omelets, sizzling bacon, delicious breakfast classics, and many other items. Unfortunately, not all locations offer special deals, but still, in student cities, some IHOP locations provide a 10% discount to college students with valid ID cards.
- If your local IHOP does not offer special deals, you can find some discounts on various coupon websites.
Cafes with student discounts near me
If you need a coffee break, with your mate or alone, here are some cafes that are also widely known among students for their special offers.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ provides a wide range of coffee beverages, freshly baked donuts, bagels, and quick breakfast sandwiches for on-the-go students daily. Many Dunkin’ stores offer around 10% off orders over a certain amount. For example, when you order meals for $6 or more, you can use a discount.
- Student discount details may vary by location, so ask in-store and don’t forget to bring your student ID.
Peet’s Coffee
This is a specialty coffee roaster where visitors can enjoy a variety of handcrafted coffee beverages, teas, and freshly baked goods. At Peet’s Coffee, you can use exclusive student discounts that they offer through Student Beans. Well, all you need to do is verify your student status, and you can access special pricing on their products.
- Unfortunately, the student discount is currently available for online purchases only, and it is better to check for special student deals in physical coffee bar locations before your visit.
Caffè Nero
Visit a European-style coffee house known for its premium espresso-based drinks, as well as a selection of pastries and sandwiches. Caffè Nero offers a 20% discount on all handcrafted drinks to students who verify their status through Student Beans.
- Still, we recommend checking if your local Caffè Nero participates in the student discount program before making a purchase.
Where to get a coupon?
Well, even if a restaurant or cafe does not offer discounts for students, you can browse some reputable services that offer coupons and discounts so you can save some money on eating outside.
#1: Student Beans
Get free access to numerous student discounts across various categories, including food and drink. There, you will need to verify your student status in order to unlock exclusive deals at participating restaurants and food delivery services.
#2: Groupon
Groupon is another service wth different coupons and deals for restaurants across the USA. While this service is not exclusively targeted at students, it provides significant discounts on dining experiences, which can also be beneficial for students looking to save money on eating outside.
#3: RetailMeNot
Visit RetailMeNot for a dedicated section for food and dining discounts. Students can browse various restaurant deals, promotional codes, limited-time offers, etc., to save on meals. Sounds great, right?
In most cases, being a college student means being pressed for a budget. Thus, learners often seek discounts to pay less, but of course, they want to get the best out of every deal. So, if you want to eat with your friends outside, you pick a restaurant from our list and learn where you can pay less. Bon appétit!