This summer, approximately five million students in the United Kingdom will receive their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) results. For many, results day marks a significant milestone, and a number of UK restaurant chains and brands offer promotional deals and free items to celebrate the occasion. These offers are typically available to students who can present proof of their exam results, such as a physical results slip, on or around the results day itself. The available promotions vary by establishment, with some requiring a purchase, others being completely free, and many having specific terms, such as group size limitations or menu restrictions. It is important for students and their families to verify the specific terms and conditions directly with each brand, as offers can change and may have geographical or operational variations.
Understanding the Promotional Landscape
The freebies and deals available on GCSE results day are predominantly offered by restaurant chains, aiming to attract student customers and their families for celebratory meals. These promotions are time-sensitive, often valid only on the actual results day, and frequently require the student to present their exam results as proof of eligibility. Some deals are available to all students, while others, such as those from Côte Brasserie, have additional criteria based on specific subjects passed, like French. The structure of these offers ranges from completely free items with no purchase necessary to deals that require buying a main course or a soft drink to unlock the freebie. For IGCSE students, the offers are generally aligned with the GCSE results day in the UK, though students with exam boards like Cambridge International (CIE) may have their results released earlier and might miss some of these specific day promotions.
Comprehensive List of Restaurant Offers
A variety of UK restaurant chains have been reported to offer results day promotions. The following list compiles the available offers based on the source material, noting key eligibility rules and redemption processes. It is crucial to note that these details are based on specific reported offers and may not be current for all future results days.
Frankie & Benny’s
Frankie & Benny’s offers a free Margherita pizza to students on results day. This deal is available when dining in and showing GCSE results. The pizza is typically priced at £11.75. The offer includes gluten-free and vegan options. According to the source, there is no requirement to purchase anything else to receive the free pizza. The restaurant is described as a family-friendly establishment serving Italian food.
Las Iguanas
Las Iguanas provides a free portion of churros to students who present their exam results. This offer is for dine-in customers only. Las Iguanas is known as a South American restaurant chain.
Showcase Cinema
Showcase Cinema offers a small ICEE drink to students who purchase a movie ticket and present their exam results. This is a promotional item attached to a ticket purchase.
Byron
Byron offers a two-for-one deal on burgers for students showing their GCSE results. Each burger is usually priced from £8.95. The deal is available on results day. For those who are not receiving GCSE results or do not wish to show them, the same two-for-one deal is available on National Burger Day (21st August) by signing up for the Byron Club. Byron also notes that most of their burgers can be made meat and dairy-free, catering to vegans and vegetarians.
Côte Brasserie
Côte Brasserie offers two types of freebies to students on results day: * A free dessert (such as chocolate mousse or crème caramel) for all GCSE students. * A free steak frites or vegan burger for any student who has passed a French GCSE. To redeem these offers, the student must dine in with someone who has paid for an adult main dish. The free items are available to the student only when accompanied by a paying adult.
Bill’s
Bill’s offers a free dessert to students on results day when they purchase a main meal. The physical results slip must be presented to redeem this offer. Dessert prices at Bill’s vary by location but are typically around £4.50.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays offers a free main course (usually priced from £17) when a student buys another full-priced adult main. This deal is available for GCSE or A-level results and is valid until Thursday 28th August. The offer cannot be redeemed on a Friday or Saturday, and it excludes items from the ‘Hot off the grill’ section of the menu. To redeem, students must show their results and say ‘grads eat free’ to the server.
Zizzi
Zizzi offers a surprise freebie to students on results day. Each restaurant will give out 100 prizes in total. Most prizes are mozzarella and garlic bread, but one lucky winner at each location will win £150 worth of food. Up to six prizes can be redeemed per table, making it a suitable option for groups of classmates.
Bella Italia
Bella Italia offers a free starter and dessert for every person at a table of up to six, provided one guest shows proof of GCSE exam results. This offer is available only on results day and requires each person to buy a main course. Starter prices start from around £4.99, and desserts from around £5.29. The source also mentions a 30% discount for a teen and up to five guests when exam results are shown, though the specific terms of this discount are not detailed in the provided chunks.
Banana Tree
Banana Tree offers a free chicken or vegan katsu curry (usually priced around £15) when a student buys a soft drink on results day. To redeem, students must sign up for the deal at Banana Tree ahead of time and bring their GCSE results and ID. Only one voucher per guest is allowed, so all classmates in a group must register individually. The source also notes that Banana Tree offers a £10 discount on orders between Monday and Friday year-round for those who sign up for their newsletter.
Wagamama
Wagamama offers a 25% discount to students on results day. This is a discount rather than a free item, but it is included in the list of best deals for results day.
Nando’s
Nando’s offers a free quarter chicken or starter to students on results day. Unlike most other offers listed, this deal can be collected (takeaway) as well as used for dine-in.
Chiquito
Chiquito offers a free portion of Loaded Nachos (either Chicken and Chorizo or Pibil Pulled Jackfruit) when a student shows their exam results and buys a soft drink. This offer is mentioned in the context of a freebie for teens on exam results day.
Other Mentions
The source material also references a free meal at an unnamed Mexican restaurant until Thursday 4th December for A-level and GCSE graduates, excluding items like the ultimate fajita, whole rack of ribs, and Mexican sirloin. This deal is available all day except holidays, requires showing proof of results, and the cheapest main will be excluded from the bill. However, the specific brand name is not provided in the available chunks.
Important Terms and Conditions
When seeking to redeem these offers, students and their families should be aware of several common terms and conditions:
- Proof of Results: Most offers require the physical presentation of a results slip. Digital copies may not be accepted.
- Dine-In vs. Takeaway: The vast majority of these offers are for dine-in customers only. Nando’s is noted as an exception where collection is possible.
- Purchase Requirements: Some deals are completely free (e.g., Frankie & Benny’s pizza), while others require a purchase, such as a main course at Bill’s or a soft drink at Banana Tree or Chiquito.
- Group Deals: Some offers, like Bella Italia’s starter and dessert, are designed for groups, while others, like Zizzi’s, limit the number of prizes per table.
- Subject-Specific Offers: Côte Brasserie’s offer for a free main course is tied to passing a French GCSE, adding an additional layer of eligibility.
- Timing: Many offers are valid only on the specific results day. Some, like TGI Fridays’ deal, have an end date (28th August). IGCSE students should check if their results day aligns with the GCSE day (21st August 2025) for these promotions.
- Exclusions: Certain menu items may be excluded from free or discounted offers, as seen with TGI Fridays’ ‘Hot off the grill’ section.
- Social Media: The source suggests following restaurants on social media for last-minute announcements of results day deals, as some are announced quite late.
Strategies for Securing Freebies
To successfully navigate results day offers, a proactive approach is recommended:
- Plan in Advance: Decide which restaurants and deals are most appealing and note their locations. Check if any sign-ups (like for Banana Tree) are required ahead of time.
- Follow Social Media: Restaurants often announce their results day deals on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, sometimes shortly before the day itself.
- Carry Physical Results: Ensure the physical results slip is on hand, as digital versions may not be accepted for redemption.
- Check Group Requirements: If dining with a group, verify if the offer applies to the whole table or just the student, and if any purchasing is required by others.
- Verify at the Restaurant: Before ordering, inform the server that you intend to redeem a results day offer to ensure it can be applied. After the meal, check the bill to confirm the offer has been applied correctly.
Conclusion
GCSE results day presents an opportunity for students to access a variety of freebies and promotional deals from UK restaurant chains. The offers range from completely free items, such as a pizza at Frankie & Benny’s, to discounted meals and free desserts with a purchase. Eligibility typically requires proof of exam results, and most deals are for dine-in only. Key brands involved include Frankie & Benny’s, Las Iguanas, Byron, Côte Brasserie, Bill’s, TGI Fridays, Zizzi, Bella Italia, Banana Tree, Wagamama, Nando’s, and Chiquito. Students and families should carefully review the specific terms and conditions for each offer, as requirements vary regarding purchases, group sizes, and valid dates. For IGCSE students, it is essential to confirm that their results release date aligns with the GCSE results day to be eligible for these specific promotions. As with all promotional offers, it is advisable to verify the details directly with the restaurant before visiting.