Restaurant Discounts for Seniors
Seniors Can Dine for Less by Simply Asking
By Donna L Montaldo, About.com

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
Cracker Barrel Restaurant
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.