Veterans Day presents a significant opportunity for military personnel, veterans, and their families to access complimentary meals, retail discounts, and service-based freebies across the United States. Based on the provided documentation, numerous national brands and local establishments structure their promotions to honor those who have served, typically requiring valid proof of military identification or service verification. The offers generally fall into two distinct categories: immediate consumption benefits, such as free restaurant entrees, and deferred benefits, such as discount codes or vouchers for future use. Understanding the specific terms, timeframes, and verification methods is essential for consumers seeking to utilize these offers.
The landscape of Veterans Day freebies encompasses a wide array of industries, from casual dining and quick-service restaurants to automotive maintenance, hospitality, and retail. While many promotions are strictly limited to Veterans Day, November 11, others extend throughout the weekend or the entire month of November. Additionally, certain brands have established ongoing discount programs for military members that are highlighted during the holiday period. This guide aggregates the specific details available in the source material to provide a comprehensive overview of current and historical offers.
Veterans Day Restaurant Freebies and Dining Discounts
The most prominent category of Veterans Day offers involves complimentary meals and substantial discounts at restaurants nationwide. These promotions are typically valid for dine-in service on November 11, though some brands extend the offers to carry-out or cover the entire weekend. The documentation highlights a diverse selection of dining options, ranging from full-service sit-down restaurants to quick-service and bakery establishments.
National Sit-Down Restaurants
Several major casual dining chains offer free entrees or special meals to veterans and active-duty military personnel. These offers usually require proof of service, such as a military ID, and are available during specific hours on Veterans Day.
- Applebee’s: Offers veterans a choice of one of eight specific Veterans Day meal options at no cost. Additionally, participants receive a $5 Bounce Back Card for use on a subsequent visit. This offer requires dine-in service and proof of military service on November 11, 2024.
- Outback Steakhouse: Provides veterans with a complimentary Bloomin’ Onion and a choice of any Coke product or a 16 oz domestic draft beer. This is contingent on the purchase of an adult entrée and is valid from November 9 through November 11.
- Texas Roadhouse: Offers a free meal voucher on November 11. This voucher is redeemable for in-restaurant dining or carry-out and is valid through May 30, 2026, offering long-term flexibility.
- Denny’s: While specific meal details are not provided in the text, Denny’s is noted for extending support to veterans. The brand is also highlighted for making a $23,000 donation to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides free accommodation for military families during medical treatment.
- O’Charleys: Provides a free meal from a special menu for veterans with a valid ID on November 11 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Bar Louie: Offers a free burger with a dine-in visit and valid ID on November 11.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans can receive a free entrée and beverage from the Veterans Day Menu with a dine-in visit and proof of service.
- Carrabba’s: Offers a 10% discount with proof of service. This is noted as an ongoing offer, not limited to Veterans Day.
- Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: Veterans receive a free choice of select meals plus a $10 thank you card (bonus card) for future use. A 25% discount is also available for the entire table on Veterans Day.
Quick-Service and Fast-Casual Restaurants
Quick-service brands often provide lighter fare, such as donuts, coffee, or specific sandwiches, usually without requiring an additional purchase.
- Krispy Kreme: Offers a free doughnut and coffee to veterans with proof of service on November 11.
- Another Broken Egg Café: Provides a free Patriot French Toast Combo and coffee with a dine-in visit and valid ID on November 11.
- Kolache Factory: Veterans receive a free Kolache and any size fresh brewed coffee with a dine-in visit and valid ID on November 11.
- Qdoba: Offers a 50% discount on a regular entrée for veterans with a military ID on November 11.
- Chipotle: On Veterans Day, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time, guests who order an entrée in-restaurant and present a valid military ID receive a second entrée for free.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Offers 10 free boneless wings and fries to veterans and active-duty service members with valid ID on November 11, available for dine-in or walk-in.
Regional and Specific Location Offers
The documentation also details offers specific to certain regions or local franchises, which may vary by ownership.
- Bob Evans: Offers a free choice of a meal from the Veterans Day menu with a dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11.
- Buca Di Beppo: Provides a free lunch entrée with a dine-in visit, military ID, and a specific code (37362-5605-3730) on November 11.
- Chevys: Offers a free 2-item Combo with a dine-in visit, service ID, and the code VET 2-ITEM on November 11.
- City Barbeque: Veterans receive a free sandwich, one side, and a drink with an in-store visit (dine-in or carryout) and proof of service on November 11.
- Cody’s Original Roadhouse: Veterans get a discount or free item with proof of service on November 11, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Kona Grill: Offers 50% off food with a dine-in visit and valid ID between November 8 and November 11.
- La Madeleine: Offers a 30% discount with military ID on November 11.
- Max & Erma’s: Provides a 25% discount for the entire table with a dine-in visit and proof of service on November 11.
- Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: Offers a free lunch from the Veterans Day Menu with the purchase of any entrée and military ID on November 10 from opening through 5:00 p.m.
- Pilot Flying J: Veterans get a free meal via the app, store visit, and verified proof of service through ID.me through November 11.
- Long Doggers (Florida): Veterans receive $20 vouchers on Veterans Day, plus 10% off meals and a free appetizer or dessert for the table.
- Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (Northeast): Veterans receive 50% off an entrée.
- Max & Erma’s (Midwest): Veterans receive 25% off on Veterans Day (location dependent). Additionally, veterans, active military, Gold Star spouses, and Gold Star parents can get a half-priced entrée on Sunday, November 9.
Veterans Day Retail and Service Freebies
Beyond dining, the source material documents various free services and retail discounts available to veterans. These range from automotive care to personal grooming and travel accommodations.
Automotive and Maintenance Services
Several automotive chains offer free or heavily discounted services on Veterans Day.
- Grace for Vets Car Wash Program: Provides free car washes at thousands of locations nationwide.
- Meineke: Offers free oil changes at select locations.
- Jiffy Lube: Typically offers a 50% discount on oil changes on Veterans Day, in addition to a year-round 15% military discount (varies by location).
- Valvoline Instant Oil Change: Usually offers a free oil change on Veterans Day, plus a year-round 15% military discount.
Personal Care and Grooming
- Great Clips: Provides a free haircut on Veterans Day. Alternatively, veterans can pick up a free haircut card to redeem at a later date.
Travel and Lodging
- Red Roof Inn: Offers 15% off stays in the month of November to veterans, active duty military, and their families.
- National Parks: On Veterans Day, November 11, veterans receive free access to over 100 National Parks that normally require entrance fees.
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum: Offers free admission to veterans from November 7 to November 11.
- Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia): Free admission during Veterans Day weekend (November 7 through November 11) for active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, National Guardsmen, and immediate dependents.
- Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta): Free admission for active military and veterans on November 10-11, plus a 30% discount in the gift shop.
- Knott’s Berry Farm (California): Discounted tickets for veterans, military members, and family during Military Tribute Days (November 3–20 and December 1–18).
Retail Discounts
Retailers often highlight year-round military discounts during November or offer specific Veterans Day sales.
- Target: Offers a 10% military discount through November 11 to active-duty military, veterans, and families. It can be used on two separate transactions in-store or online.
- Kohl’s: Offers a 30% discount for military/veterans on Veterans Day. Throughout the year, they host "Military Mondays" offering a 15% discount in-store.
- Born Primitive: Donates 100% of its Veterans Day profits to help pay off medical debt for veterans.
- AARP: Offers up to 20% off membership dues from November 2 to November 16. AARP donates to State Veterans organizations.
- Verizon: Offers discounted wireless service to active military personnel and veterans.
- Army & Air Force Exchange Service: Offers deals including 10 cents off every gallon of gas at fuel locations.
Corporate Giving and Philanthropy
Some brands focus their Veterans Day efforts on charitable donations rather than direct consumer freebies.
- Baskin-Robbins: Will donate 11 cents from every ice cream scoop sold in U.S. locations on November 11 to the USO in honor of troops, military families, and veterans.
- Denny’s: Made a $23,000 donation to the Fisher House Foundation.
Verification and Eligibility Requirements
To access these offers, veterans typically need to present valid documentation. The sources mention several verification methods:
- Military ID: The most common requirement for dining and retail discounts.
- Proof of Service: A broad term that may include a military ID, veteran organization membership card, or other official documentation.
- ID.me: A digital verification service used by some brands, such as Pilot Flying J, to confirm veteran status through an app.
- Dine-In Restrictions: Many restaurant offers are strictly dine-in only, though some (like Texas Roadhouse vouchers) allow for carry-out.
- Specific Codes: Occasionally, a specific promo code is required, such as the code for Buca Di Beppo (37362-5605-3730) or Chevys (VET 2-ITEM).
It is noted that offers may vary by location, particularly for franchises like Max & Erma’s, where local owners determine the specific promotion. Consumers are advised to check with their local establishments for participation.
Conclusion
Veterans Day offers a robust array of complimentary meals, service discounts, and retail benefits for military personnel and veterans. The available data indicates that the most widespread offers are concentrated in the restaurant sector, with major chains like Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, and Buffalo Wild Wings providing free entrees or specific menu items. Additionally, service-based industries, including automotive care and hospitality, contribute significantly through free car washes, discounted lodging, and free national park access. While many of these benefits are exclusive to November 11, others, such as the Texas Roadhouse voucher and various retail discounts, extend into the following months. Consumers should be prepared to present valid military identification and adhere to specific time windows or location restrictions to redeem these offers.