Free Food and Discounts for Scottish Students on Exam Results Day 2025

Exam results day is a significant event for students across Scotland, marking the culmination of years of study and the beginning of future plans. For many, it is also a time for celebration, and several UK restaurant chains and retailers traditionally offer special promotions to mark the occasion. Based on information from 2025 and recent years, a range of free food items, discounts, and other perks are available to Scottish students on their results day, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. These offers typically apply to students receiving National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher results, and often require proof of results and sometimes a minimum spend or purchase.

The freebies and deals are primarily concentrated in the food and beverage sector, with several major chains offering complimentary meals or sides. While some promotions are entirely free, others involve a small purchase, such as buying a drink or spending a minimum amount. It is crucial for students to check the specific terms and conditions for each offer, as details such as age restrictions, required identification, and participating locations can vary. The following guide outlines the key offers available to Scottish students on results day, based on the most recent and verified information.

Key Restaurant Chains Offering Freebies

Several well-known restaurant chains have a history of providing free food to students on results day. The offers detailed below are based on promotions from 2024 and 2025, with the expectation that similar deals may be available in future years, though students should always verify current offers with the brands directly.

Nando’s

Nando’s runs an annual "Results Day Dash" promotion for students in Scotland. In 2025, the offer provided a free starter or ¼ chicken to Higher and National 5 students. The promotion was available in all Nando’s restaurants across Scotland on results day, which for Scottish pupils was Tuesday, 5 August 2025. To redeem the offer, students needed to dine in at a branch, present their exam results and ID, and spend over £7. The offer was available to students aged between 15 and 19 years old and could be claimed from 11am until 11pm. The code for the order could be collected at the table or via the Nando’s app. It is important to note that this offer was for students collecting Scottish qualifications (Higher and National 5), and the free item was a starter or ¼ chicken, not a full meal.

Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito

Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito, both under the same ownership, have offered free food to Scottish students on results day. In 2024, Frankie & Benny’s provided a free Margarita pizza (with a vegan option available) and a Coke (Zero, Regular, or Diet) to students who showed their exam results. Similarly, Chiquito offered a free Garlic Tortilla Bread and a Coke. These offers were available to students receiving results for National Progression awards (NPAs), National 4, National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher. The marketing from the brands emphasised that there were "no catches" and students did not need to purchase anything to receive the free food. The promotions were designed to help students celebrate their hard work, regardless of their grades.

Wagamama

Wagamama has previously participated in results day promotions, though its offer has evolved. In 2024, the chain offered a free side and drink to students who signed up to its loyalty programme, Soul Club, and showed their results when ordering. For 2025, Wagamama’s promotion was a discount rather than a freebie. They offered a 25% discount on all food and drink to students, which was an increase from their standard 20% discount with Student Beans. This discount was available on results day and required students to sign up to the relevant student discount scheme.

Byron Burgers

Byron Burgers has been noted for offering a particularly generous freebie, with no purchase required. In 2025, students could claim a free Proper Burger from the main menu, with options including classic beef, crispy chicken, or a vegan option. To redeem this, students simply needed to bring their results to prove eligibility. This offer stands out because it does not require any minimum spend or additional purchase, making it a fully complimentary meal.

Other Food and Beverage Offers

Several other chains have been associated with results day deals, though their offers may vary or have changed over time.

Starbucks: In the past, Starbucks has offered a free cookie with any beverage purchase on results day. This is a smaller treat but can be a nice addition to the celebrations.
Where The Pancakes Are: This establishment has previously offered a free Doughlicious cookie dessert and a glass of Prosecco or Mimosa on results days. This offer appears to be more of a celebratory treat and may have specific conditions attached.
Papa Johns: Mentioned as a chain that typically offers deals to GCSE students, which may extend to Scottish Higher and National 5 students. However, specific details for 2025 are not provided in the source material.
Las Iguanas: Another chain noted for typically offering deals to students on results day. Specific offer details for 2025 are not available in the provided data.

Non-Food Retail and Leisure Offers

While food is the primary category for results day freebies, there are some non-food offers available, though they are less common and often involve a discount rather than a free item.

Cinema: There are no reports of completely free cinema tickets being offered on results day. However, Showcase Cinemas has offered free medium popcorn with a cinema ticket purchase in the past. TOTUM members can also access discounted cinema tickets, such as 2 x 2D tickets at Cineworld for £14.
Retail Discounts: TOTUM members can often access student discounts at various retailers, such as 20% off food at Gourmet Burger Kitchen or 20% off at Frankie & Benny’s (though this is separate from the free pizza offer). These discounts are not exclusive to results day but can be used on the day.

Eligibility and Requirements

The eligibility for results day freebies is generally straightforward but requires careful attention to the specific terms of each offer.

Proof of Results: The primary requirement across all offers is to show proof of exam results. This typically means presenting the actual results statement or a digital copy. For Scottish students, this would be the SQA certificate or printout showing National 5, Higher, or Advanced Higher grades.
Identification: Some offers, like the one from Nando’s, require additional identification (e.g., a student ID or driver’s licence) to verify age and identity.
Minimum Spend: A key condition for some offers is a minimum spend. For example, Nando’s requires a spend of over £7 to claim the free starter or ¼ chicken. Students should be prepared to meet this requirement if they wish to claim the offer.
Age Restrictions: The Nando’s offer specifically targeted students aged 15 to 19 years old. Other offers may have similar age limits, though many are open to all students receiving the relevant qualifications.
Loyalty Programme Sign-Up: Some offers, like the Wagamama side and drink in 2024, required students to be members of the brand’s loyalty programme (Soul Club). For 2025, Wagamama’s discount required sign-up to a student discount scheme.
Purchase Requirement: Some freebies are entirely complimentary (e.g., Frankie & Benny’s pizza in 2024, Byron Burgers burger in 2025), while others require a small purchase (e.g., a soft drink at Frankie & Benny’s for £3 in some years, or the £7 spend at Nando’s).
Location: Offers are typically available at participating restaurants across Scotland. Students should confirm that their local branch is honouring the promotion, especially for chains like Nando’s which explicitly stated the offer was available in all Scottish restaurants.

How to Redeem Offers

To successfully redeem a results day freebie or discount, students should follow these general steps:

Check the Offer in Advance: Verify the details of the promotion on the brand’s official website or social media channels. Do not rely solely on third-party blogs or social media posts, as these may contain outdated or incorrect information.
Prepare Documentation: Have a physical or digital copy of your exam results ready to show. Ensure you also have a form of ID if required.
Plan Your Visit: Be aware of the promotion’s validity period (e.g., Nando’s offer was valid from 11am to 11pm on results day). Some offers may be popular, so visiting during off-peak hours might be advisable.
Follow the Redemption Process: For offers requiring a purchase or a minimum spend, place your order and then present your results and ID to the staff. For app-based claims like Nando’s, you may need to collect a code from the table or app.
Be Aware of Restrictions: Note any exclusions, such as the inability to combine offers with other promotions. For example, the Frankie & Benny’s free pizza could not be redeemed in conjunction with other offers.

Important Considerations and Caveats

While results day freebies are a welcome perk, there are several important points to consider:

Variability Across Years: The specific offers available can change from year to year. The information provided here is based on 2024 and 2025 promotions. Students should not assume the same offers will be available in future years without checking.
Geographic Specificity: Many of the offers detailed (e.g., Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito) were specifically for Scottish students receiving SQA results. Students in other parts of the UK may have different offers available on their respective results days (e.g., GCSE results day on 21 August 2025).
Source Reliability: The information has been compiled from a range of sources, including news articles and student advice websites. The most reliable information will always come directly from the brand’s official channels. Unverified user reports or social media claims should be treated with caution.
No Guarantee of Future Offers: Brands may discontinue their results day promotions. The absence of a specific offer in the source material for 2025 does not guarantee it will not return, but it indicates it was not part of the most recent documented promotions.

Conclusion

Scottish students have several opportunities to enjoy free food and discounts on their exam results day, primarily from major restaurant chains such as Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito, and Byron Burgers. These offers typically require proof of results, and some have conditions like minimum spend or age restrictions. While Wagamama shifted from a freebie to a discount in 2025, other chains like Byron Burgers offered a fully complimentary burger with no purchase required. Students are advised to check the specific terms and conditions for each offer directly with the brands, as details can vary and change annually. By planning ahead and preparing the necessary documentation, students can make the most of these celebratory perks on their important day.