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by Ryan Vagabundo
OK, I know we've been hitting the food chain posts pretty hard lately, but I wanted to get this last one out of the way while we're on the theme. And this is actually a pretty valuable one that doesn't necessarily involve spending any money.
Most people probably don't give their humble restaurant receipt a second look. Unless they want to see what time it is and don't feel like taking their phone out for some reason. Or they want to get the server's name for some purpose or another.
Some of those receipts have some pretty decent value to them. Sometimes they're straight-up currency, in terms of "rewards points" that can be cashed in at the restaurant. Other times, the chain wants valuable feedback and is willing to pay you with some free food.
In all the cases I can think of, this doesn't even require a purchase. You can snag receipts just laying around the premises and put them to use. There will definitely be some in the trash, but that's a pretty hardcore hobo move that isn't gonna be worth it for most. But you'll also find them just sitting around on tables and the ground and such.
Here are the ones that are worth keeping an eye out for.
1) El Pollo Loco
It's a shame El Pollo Loco struggles so much when it gets east of the Rockies, because their food is good and affordable and the rewards program is the best around.
Each receipt gets you $1 off a purchase of $5 or more after taking a survey, but that's not even the best use of El Pollo Loco receipts.
You can add one receipt per day to your El Pollo Loco Rewards account, and for every $1 spent on it you get one point. Once you get 100 points, you get a $10 credit to use in the restaurant. The best bit of this credit is that you don't have to use it all at once (any unused amount stays in your account), and future credits can "stack" on top of it.
If you enter the code by logging into your rewards account through their website, there isn't any kind of identity check. You just enter the barcode number printed on the receipt. Again, you can only do one per day. Also, the receipt must have been issued less than 48 hours ago or it will no longer work.
2) Noodles & Co.
With a receipt survey you get a free entree at most locations, and they also have a rewards program that lets you enter receipt bar codes like El Pollo Loco does. This chain has become sneaky available in recent years, I thought they were kinda rare but apparently they're in 30 states now and in some states they have 20 to 60 locations.
3) Popeye's
You have to fill out a survey, but a Popeye's receipt with a survey code nets you a free two-piece with a biscuit with purchase of a large drink (which is about $2 at most locations).
4) Del Taco
Another quick survey that gets you $1 off your next purchase of $3 or more.
5) Jack In The Box
Yep, another quick survey, but it nets you bo-go Jumbo Jack or a breakfast croissant. The prices have snuck up on these in recent years such that they're not as amazing a deal anymore, 10 years ago Jumbo Jacks were like $1.50 each. Now they're usually $3 and some places jack them up to $4. They're a pretty good size though, and that's still a decent deal for two of them.
6) Panda Express
One free entree with purchase of any meal for a receipt survey. If you get a two-item plate, they'll put the free entree in a little carrier so it's easy to separate to throw in the fridge for another meal later.
7) McDonalds
Some independently-owned franchise locations are different, but most Maccas offer a bo-go Egg + Sausage McMuffin or Quarter Pounder w/ Cheese ... this has been devalued recently as prices seem to have gone up to around $4-5 each for these and the McMuffins often seem to be 2-for-$4 without a receipt anyway.
One last note - positive reviews on surveys do appear to help out the employees in a tangible way, so it's worth doing as a sort of unofficial "tip" if someone did a really good job and you can mention them by name (or just mention the whole staff at the time you stopped by).
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