Veterans Day, observed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, serves as a significant date for honoring military personnel across the United States. For many veterans and active-duty service members, this day also brings opportunities to access complimentary meals and special discounts from a wide range of businesses. The provided sources detail numerous offers available on or around this date, primarily from restaurant chains and other establishments. These promotions are designed to express gratitude, though they come with specific eligibility requirements and redemption protocols that participants must follow. Understanding these details is essential for consumers seeking to take advantage of the available deals.
The core of Veterans Day freebies centers on proof of service. Nearly all offers require some form of verification to confirm military status. Acceptable documentation typically includes a Uniformed Services ID card, Retired ID card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization membership card, DD214 discharge papers, or photographic evidence of service, such as wearing a uniform. While many businesses accept a variety of these documents, the requirement is strict and universally enforced. Furthermore, most dining offers are restricted to dine-in service, meaning takeout or delivery orders generally do not qualify for the complimentary items. Some promotions also necessitate the use of a mobile application or a specific loyalty program account to unlock the deal. Location participation can vary, so verifying with local establishments prior to visiting is a recommended step for consumers.
Restaurant Chains Offering Free Meals
A significant number of national and regional restaurant chains are participating in Veterans Day 2025 with complimentary meal offers for veterans and active military personnel. The terms for these offers differ by company, covering variations in menu selection, service hours, and required identification.
Major Dining Chains
Applebee’s is a prominent participant, offering a free full-size entrée from a limited menu. This deal is available for dine-in only and has been offered by the company for 18 consecutive years. Proof of service is mandatory and can include a U.S. Uniformed Services ID, Retired ID, current LES, veterans organization card, DD214, or a photo in uniform.
Similarly, Chili’s provides a free meal, including options like a burger or chicken tenders, at participating locations. This offer is also for dine-in customers only. BJ’s Restaurants extends a complimentary chocolate chunk pizookie (a large cookie dessert) to current and former military personnel who present a military ID or other proof of service. Denny’s offers a free "Build Your Own Grand Slam" breakfast, available from 5 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day for active and retired military personnel.
Buffalo Wild Wings provides 10 free boneless wings and an order of regular fries for past and present military members. This offer applies to dine-in customers at standard locations and walk-in orders at Buffalo Wild Wings Go locations. California Pizza Kitchen offers a complimentary entrée from a limited menu of full-size salads or pizzas, along with a choice of Coca-Cola fountain beverages, iced tea, or passion fruit mango unsweetened iced tea. Outback Steakhouse offers a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coke product on Veterans Day.
Additional Meal and Snack Offers
Other notable offers include a free lunch from Logan’s Roadhouse between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and a free meal at Iron Skillet. Golden Corral is distributing free meal and beverage cards to active-duty military and veterans from November 11 through November 30. These cards can be used for lunch or dinner Monday through Thursday and are valid through May 31. Little Caesars offers a free lunch combo between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For those seeking specific menu items, Cracker Barrel provides a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit offers a free Pulled Pork Classic Sandwich, while Famous Dave’s offers a free Lunch Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich with a side. Macaroni Grill provides free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti. Red Lobster offers a free appetizer or dessert, and Red Robin’s deal begins the day after Veterans Day, offering a free meal from Thursday through November 17 for those who sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program.
Breakfast and Coffee Promotions
Early risers can find several breakfast and coffee deals. 7-Eleven offers a free cup of coffee to veterans who have a Veterans Advantage account linked to the 7Rewards loyalty program. Biggby Coffee provides a free hot brewed coffee up to 24 ounces. Einstein Bros. Bagels offers a free hot or iced medium coffee when veterans state their status. Dunkin’ provides a free doughnut of choice, and PJ’s Coffee offers a free 16-oz hot or cold brew coffee. Krispy Kreme provides a free doughnut of choice and a small hot or iced coffee.
Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) and Discount Offers
Some promotions are not fully complimentary but offer significant value through buy-one-get-one deals or discounts. Chipotle offers a BOGO on entrées for customers who present a valid military ID and purchase an entrée in-restaurant between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Hooters provides 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of 10 wings. Qdoba offers 50% off any entrée, and Papa Gino’s offers 50% off whole pizzas for walk-in and carry-out orders. Carrabba’s Italian Grill offers a free order of calamari with any purchase for veterans and active military, and also maintains an ongoing 10% discount for service members. Captain D's provides a 10% discount on meals. Bonefish Grill has an ongoing 10% discount daily. Love's Travel Stops offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on roller grill items and a free fountain drink or coffee of any size.
Freebies and Discounts Beyond Restaurants
While restaurant meals are the most common Veterans Day offers, other businesses also provide free services and products. Great Clips offers a free haircut on Wednesday (the day after Veterans Day, based on the source context) for veterans and active-duty personnel, or the option to pick up a free haircut card to be used later. Non-veterans can also receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran.
The federal government provides free access to national parks and other public lands for veterans and Gold Star families starting on Veterans Day. Some exclusions may apply, and offers can vary by location. The Brown County Rifle Range in Wisconsin offers free admission and gun and archery sighting for veterans and active-duty military members. The Barbershop is hosting a veterans event offering free haircuts and services to men and women who served in the armed forces. Mountain Mike’s Pizza offers free garlic sticks with a purchase of $25 or more via the app or with code VT25. Playa Bowls offers free bowls for all veterans, active duty, and retired military personnel with a valid ID.
Important Considerations for Redemption
Consumers should be aware of several key factors when planning to redeem Veterans Day offers. First, proof of service is non-negotiable. The most commonly accepted forms of identification are a military ID, but other documents like a DD214, VA card, or veterans organization membership card are also widely accepted. Wearing a uniform is sometimes permitted as a form of identification.
Second, most food offers are for dine-in service only. This means that ordering online, through a delivery app, or for takeout will likely not qualify for the free meal. Third, offers are typically valid only on Veterans Day, November 11, unless otherwise specified. For example, Golden Corral’s promotion runs through November 30, and Pilot Flying J’s free breakfast combo is available through November 15.
Fourth, location participation can vary. National chains often have corporate-wide policies, but individual franchise owners may choose not to participate or may modify the terms. It is always advisable to call the local establishment ahead of time to confirm their participation in the Veterans Day promotion. Finally, some deals require the use of a mobile app or enrollment in a loyalty program, such as the 7-Eleven 7Rewards program or the Red Robin Royalty program. Consumers should be prepared to download necessary apps or sign up for programs in advance to ensure a smooth redemption process.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2025 offers a wide array of freebies and discounts for U.S. veterans and active-duty military personnel, primarily from restaurant chains but also extending to other services like haircuts and outdoor access. The most critical requirement across all offers is proof of military service, which must be presented at the time of redemption. Consumers must also be mindful that most meal deals are for dine-in only and are valid only on November 11, unless a different timeframe is explicitly stated. By understanding these requirements and verifying participation with local locations, veterans and active service members can fully utilize the appreciative offers provided by businesses across the country.