Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, represents a significant opportunity for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families to access a wide range of complimentary offers and discounts. Based on the provided documentation, numerous national restaurant chains, retail establishments, and service providers participate in these commemorative programs. The offers detailed below are derived exclusively from the source material, which focuses primarily on food and beverage establishments, personal care services, and retail discounts available on Veterans Day.
The scope of available benefits varies by provider, ranging from full complimentary meals to percentage-based discounts on purchases. Eligibility requirements generally mandate proof of military service, such as a valid military ID, and many offers are restricted to in-person dining or specific participating locations. While the documentation covers a broad spectrum of businesses, the most extensive data pertains to the restaurant sector, with over thirty distinct chains offering specific Veterans Day promotions.
Restaurant and Food Establishment Offers
The majority of documented Veterans Day offers are concentrated within the food service industry. Participating restaurants typically provide complimentary meals or menu items to veterans and active-duty service members, often requiring dine-in service and valid identification.
Major Chain Restaurant Offers
Several large national chains have established consistent Veterans Day programming. Applebee’s offers veterans and active-duty military personnel a free meal from a limited menu on November 11, with proof of service required. Buffalo Wild Wings provides a free order of boneless wings and a side of fries to veterans and active-duty military who dine in or call for takeout at participating U.S. locations. Similarly, Buffalo Wings & Rings offers three free tenders and a drink with valid ID at participating locations.
California Pizza Kitchen extends a free meal to all veterans and active duty personnel on November 11, 2025, valid for one entrée from a special Veterans Day menu, dine-in only. Chicken Salad Chick provides a free meal with one side and drink on November 11, valid in-restaurant or drive-thru only, and requires a military ID or DD214. Chili’s offers a free Veterans Day meal to all veterans and active military members at participating locations, available in-restaurant only for select items.
Chipotle offers a distinct promotion: the military community can enjoy any entrée and receive a second entrée for free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on November 11. This offer requires a valid military ID. Cracker Barrel provides veterans with a complimentary sunrise pancake, available while supplies last and requiring dine-in service.
Denny’s offers free homestyle menu items (such as country fried steak and crispy fried chicken) to veterans on November 11. Famous Dave’s provides a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich and side. Golden Corral hosts a "thank you meal" for veterans during their Military Appreciation night, held from 4 p.m. to close. Hooters offers a free meal from a special menu with the purchase of a drink.
IHOP provides a free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Little Caesars offers a free lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Logan’s Roadhouse provides a free meal from a special menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mission BBQ offers a free sandwich. McDonald’s provides a free combo meal. Olive Garden offers a free entrée from a special menu. Outback Steakhouse offers a free Bloomin' Onion with the purchase of an entrée.
Red Lobster provides a free Shrimp & Chip meal. Red Robin offers a free Red's Big Tavern Burger and side. Rochester Mills Beer Co. offers a free entrée up to $18. Ruby Tuesday offers a free meal from a special menu. Smokey Bones offers a free meal. Sullivan’s Steakhouse offers a free Sullivan's Signature Angus Burger and fries. Texas Roadhouse offers a free meal from a special menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or a meal voucher for later use. TGI Fridays offers a free meal from a special menu from 11 a.m.
Coffee, Snacks, and Quick Service
Several coffee shops and quick-service restaurants offer beverages and snacks. Bruegger’s Bagels provides a free medium fresh-brewed hot or iced coffee with breakfast. Scooter’s Coffee offers a free medium drink. SONIC Drive-In offers half-off shakes. Starbucks offers a free tall (12-oz.) brewed coffee (iced or hot) to veterans, military service members, and military spouses. Lamar’s Donuts and Coffee offers a free donut and coffee. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt offers the first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free.
Aroma Joe’s Coffee provides up to a 24-ounce drink for free. Break Time offers a free fountain drink or coffee. 7-Eleven offers a free medium coffee or Big Gulp, available in-store and via delivery through the 7NOW app. MOD Pizza offers a free Mega Cookie with the purchase of a pizza or salad. National Coney Island offers free Coney dogs, limit of two per veteran. QDOBA offers 50% off an entrée. Raising Cane’s offers 10% off.
Smaller Chains and Independent Concepts
Ample Hills Creamery offers a free kids scoop to veterans and active-duty service members. Another Broken Egg Cafe offers free French toast and coffee. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza offers a free 12-inch cheese pizza. Arooga’s offers a free item from a special menu (buffalo pretzel, salads, cheeseburger, etc.) with valid ID. Aspen Creek Grill offers a complimentary menu selection from 11 a.m. Bombshells Restaurant and Bar offers free meals to veterans and a 20% discount for active-duty service members and accompanying family. Farmer Boys offers a Big Cheeseburger for $4 via the Very Important Farmer App or with valid ID. Huey Magoo’s offers a free 3-Piece Tender Meal with the purchase of a regular beverage.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond food establishments, the documentation identifies several retail and service providers offering Veterans Day incentives. B&Bs for Vets offers one free room night on November 10 and 11, with preference given to "first timer" veterans and active-duty personnel. Bed Bath & Beyond offers 25% off any in-store purchase for active-duty military, veterans, and spouses.
Brown Bear Car Wash offers a free "Beary Clean" car wash for all current or former military members from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time at participating locations. Great Clips offers free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members; details are available on the Great Clips website. Sports Clips offers free haircuts at some locations, with details available on their website. Hyvee (Midwest) offers a free buffet breakfast for veterans and active-duty military members, with many stores providing additional programs and activities.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
The documentation indicates that eligibility for Veterans Day offers is generally restricted to "veterans" and "active-duty military" personnel. Some offers, such as those from B&Bs for Vets, specifically target "first timer" participants. Bombshells Restaurant and Bar extends a discount to accompanying family members of active-duty service members.
Proof of service is a common requirement. Establishments such as Applebee’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Chicken Salad Chick, Chipotle, and Buffalo Wild Wings require valid military identification or a DD214 form. It is noted that some offers, such as Chipotle’s, are time-specific (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.), while others, like IHOP’s, are available for specific hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Golden Corral’s event is held from 4 p.m. to close.
Restrictions on order method are also present. Starbucks notes that the free tall brewed coffee is available at participating locations. Chipotle’s offer is valid for entrée and second entrée (bowl, burrito, salad, or taco). Chicken Salad Chick explicitly states that the offer is not valid on online orders or delivery orders. Bruegger’s Bagels specifies that the free coffee is for a medium size.
Conclusion
The provided source material documents a diverse array of Veterans Day offers available on November 11, 2025, predominantly within the food service sector. The offers range from full complimentary meals at major chains like Applebee’s and Chili’s to specific items like Buffalo Wild Wings’ boneless wings and Starbucks’ brewed coffee. Retail and service discounts are also available, including percentage discounts at Bed Bath & Beyond and free services at Great Clips and Brown Bear Car Wash. Veterans and active-duty military personnel should be prepared to present valid military identification to redeem these offers and should verify participation and specific terms, such as operating hours and dine-in requirements, at their local establishments prior to visiting.