Veterans Day 2025 presents a wide array of complimentary offers and discounts for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families across the United States. Numerous restaurant chains, retailers, and service providers have announced specific promotions valid on November 11, 2025. These offers generally require verification of military status, often through physical ID, proof of service, or digital verification platforms such as GOVX. While many offers are strictly for the individual veteran, some establishments extend discounts to family members or allow offers to be combined with other deals.
The following guide details the verified freebies and discounts available, categorized by provider type. It focuses on food and beverage establishments, retail services, and entertainment venues, providing specific redemption instructions and eligibility criteria based on current announcements.
Restaurant and Food Service Freebies
The majority of Veterans Day promotions center on complimentary meals and beverages. Participating brands range from national fast-food chains to casual dining restaurants. Most food offers are valid for dine-in service only on November 11, though some drive-thru and carry-out exceptions exist.
Major Casual Dining Chains
Casual dining establishments are offering substantial meal vouchers and free entrees for veterans. These offers typically cover a specific menu selection or a maximum value limit.
- Texas Roadhouse: Veterans and active service members can receive a meal voucher on November 11. The vouchers are distributed from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
- Logan’s Roadhouse: Active-duty military and veterans are eligible for a free lunch from a select menu. This offer is available for dine-in only between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM on November 11.
- Kings Family Restaurants: A free meal from a special menu is available for veterans and active-duty military dining in on November 11.
- Red Robin: Veterans can redeem a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger accompanied by Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11.
- Kona Grill: Veterans and active-duty military dining in will receive a free entree with a maximum value of $69. This offer excludes alcohol and is valid on November 11.
- STK Steakhouse: Veterans and active-duty military dining in receive a free entree (max value of $69) on November 11. Alcohol is not included in this offer.
- Twin Peaks: Veterans and active-duty military can select a free lunch from a special Veterans Day menu on November 11, available between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
- Joe’s Crab Shack: A 20% discount on dine-in meals is available for veterans on November 11.
- Ruby Tuesday: Veterans, retirees, and active-duty service members receive a free Endless Garden Bar or an Add-on Garden Bar on November 11. Dine-in is required, and the code VETERANS25 must be used. The Add-on Garden Bar offer can be combined with the Tuesday Daily Deal.
- Perkins: Veterans are eligible for a free Great American Trio on November 11. A military ID must be presented.
- Sammy’s Pizza & Restaurant: Veterans and active-duty service members receive a free lunch buffet on November 11. This offer is valid only at the Elk River and Coon Rapids locations.
- Shoney’s: Complimentary Best Breakfast in Town is available for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations on November 11.
- IHOP: Veterans dining in on November 11 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM will receive a free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo.
- J. Christopher’s: Participating locations are offering a free meal to veterans on November 11. A valid I.D. is required.
- Crooked Pint: Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free meal on November 11. Eligible choices include a Classic Lucy, Cluckin’ Good Platter, Crispy Chicken Salad, or Apple Pecan Chicken Salad. Proof of military ID is required, and the offer is dine-in only.
Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurants
Quick service restaurants are offering free drinks, tacos, and combo meals. Several of these offers are valid in-store or at the drive-thru.
- Little Caesars: Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo on November 11 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Sonic: For a limited time, Sonic guests can enjoy one free any-size Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, or Coke® Zero Sugar with a purchase. This is valid once a day, every day, exclusively in the Sonic App. While this is a daily offer, it is highlighted as a current promotion.
- Taco John’s: A free small beef Crispy or Softshell Taco Combo is available on November 11. Veterans must present a military ID or proof of service at the drive-thru or in-store.
- Torchy’s Tacos: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free taco and a non-alcoholic beverage on November 11.
- Firehouse Subs: On November 11, veterans and active-duty military can buy one sub and get one free. A valid military ID is required, and the offer is in-store only.
- Hooters: Veterans can get a free menu item of their choice with a drink purchase on November 11. Eligible items include wings, a cheeseburger, a buffalo chicken sandwich, or a chicken Caesar salad.
- Huey Magoo’s: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free 3-piece Tender Meal with the purchase of a regular beverage. A valid military ID or DD 214 form is required.
- Tim Hortons: A free classic doughnut is available for veterans and service members on November 11.
- Tops Friendly Markets: Veterans, active-duty service members, Reservists, and retirees receive an 11% discount on total orders on November 11. Some product exclusions apply.
- In-N-Out Burger: Veterans and active-duty service members receive a free meal (burger, fries, and beverage) on November 11 at all locations.
- Shake Shack: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free Big Shack on November 11.
- Sheetz: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free half turkey sub (including any extras/add-ons), a regular-size fountain drink, and a car wash on November 11. This is a $9 value.
- Joella’s Hot Chicken: Veterans and active-duty service members in uniform receive a free meal (two jumbo tenders, a side, one dipping sauce, and a drink). A daily 10% Heroes Discount is also available for veterans and service members.
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free Freddy’s combo meal card on November 11. No purchase is required. The card is valid through December 31, 2025.
- Hard Rock Cafe: Active and retired military receive a free Classic Smash Burger on November 11. A 15% military discount applies to other menu items.
Specialty and Regional Food Offers
- Angie’s Prime Grill: From November 12 through the end of the year, all warm bowls featuring seasoned brown rice with grilled-to-order, antibiotic-free chicken or seared-to-order falafel are priced at $4.99.
- Fazoli’s: Two app-based offers are available. First, a FREE Whole Pizza with the purchase of any Family Meal using code Thanks25 through the Fazoli’s Rewards app. Valid 11/26 through 12/1. Second, a Buy-One-Get-One FREE Fettuccine Alfredo with code Shop25 through the Fazoli’s Rewards app. Valid 11/28 through 12/1.
- Sonny’s BBQ: Veterans, retirees, and active-duty service members receive a free Pork Big Deal on November 11. To redeem, participants must sign up for the restaurant’s rewards program by November 9.
- Scooter’s Coffee: Veterans and service members receive a free medium drink on November 11.
- Teriyaki Madness: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free JR or REG bowl on November 11 at participating locations. Dine-in only.
- Taco John’s: Veterans can receive a free small beef Crispy or Softshell Taco Combo on November 11 by presenting a military ID or proof of service.
Breweries and Taprooms
- Trove Brewing (Burnsville): Veterans receive a free pint on November 11.
- Kona Grill: In addition to the food offer, Kona Grill is offering ALL DAY happy hour pricing on beverages in the bar & lounge seating areas on National Happy Hour Day (November 12).
Retail, Service, and Entertainment Discounts
Beyond food, several retailers and service providers are offering free services or discounts to veterans on November 11.
Automotive and Home Services
- Cobblestone Autospa: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free car wash and a free basic oil change on November 11.
- Kroger: Active service members, veterans, and their dependents receive a 10% discount on in-store or pick-up orders on November 11.
- Hy-Vee, Fast and Fresh, and Dollar Fresh Market: A 15% discount off grocery purchases is available in-store or online using code VETS2025.
Entertainment and Recreation
- Cincinnati Zoo: Active-duty service members, Guardsmen, veterans, ROTC members, and retirees receive free admission on November 11. Up to six discounted tickets for immediate family can also be purchased on November 11.
- Colonial Williamsburg: Active-duty military, Reservists, retirees, veterans, Guardsmen, and their immediate dependents receive free admission from November 7 through November 11. Additionally, service members and veterans receive free use of the lounge and a 15% military discount on single-day and annual passes for themselves and up to three dependents.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Veterans and their families receive free admission to Colorado’s 42 state parks on November 11.
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Free museum admission is available for all active-duty and retired service members and up to three guests on November 11.
Gas Station and Fuel Offers
- Circle K Fuel Day: On November 20, Inner Circle Rewards members can get 40 cents off per gallon at Circle K gas stations in Arizona and Nevada all day long.
Verification and Redemption Requirements
Most Veterans Day offers require proof of eligibility. The specific requirements vary by establishment but generally fall into one of the following categories:
- Military ID: A standard requirement for many restaurants and retailers.
- Proof of Service: This may include a DD 214, VA card, or other official documentation.
- Digital Verification: Some offers, such as those at Sammy’s Pizza, require verification with GOVX.
- Rewards Program Sign-Up: For Sonny’s BBQ, veterans must sign up for the rewards program by November 9 to redeem the offer on November 11.
- Promo Codes: Ruby Tuesday requires the code VETERANS25 for the Garden Bar offer. Hy-Vee requires the code VETS2025 for the grocery discount.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2025 offers a diverse range of complimentary meals, discounts, and services for military members and veterans. The offers span fast food, casual dining, automotive services, and entertainment venues. While the majority of these promotions are valid strictly on November 11, some, like the Freddy’s Frozen Custard meal card and Angie’s Prime Grill bowl pricing, extend through the end of the year. Redemption almost always requires valid military identification or enrollment in the provider’s rewards program prior to the event date.