Veterans Day 2018 Restaurant and Retail Offers for Veterans and Active Military

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, serves as a dedicated time for businesses across the United States to express gratitude to those who have served in the military. In 2018, numerous restaurant chains, retailers, and service providers offered complimentary meals, discounts, and freebies to active-duty military personnel and veterans. These promotions typically require valid proof of service, such as a military ID, DD-214, or veterans organization card. While the holiday falls on November 11, many businesses extended their offers to November 12, the federal observance date, providing a two-day window for service members to redeem benefits.

The following guide details the specific offers available during Veterans Day 2018, focusing on restaurant meals, retail discounts, and travel benefits. This information is compiled from verified lists and press releases circulated during that period.

Restaurant Meal Offers

The restaurant sector is traditionally the most active in providing Veterans Day freebies. In 2018, major chains offered full-sized entrees, specific menu items, or discounts ranging from free meals to percentage-off deals. Most offers were valid for dine-in service only on November 11 or 12.

Major Chain Restaurants

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar maintained a long-standing tradition of offering free meals to veterans and active-duty military. In 2018, participants received a free full-sized entree from a specific eight-item menu on November 11. The available options included the classic bacon cheeseburger, a 6-ounce USDA select top sirloin dinner, chicken tenders platter, double crunch shrimp, fiesta lime chicken, Oriental grilled chicken salad, and three-cheese chicken penne.

Bar Louie provided a complimentary burger or flatbread, with a value of up to $15, to veterans and active military personnel during operating hours on November 11. This offer was valid for dine-in customers only.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse offered a complimentary entree up to a value of $12.95, along with a free Dr. Pepper beverage, on November 11.

Buffalo Wild Wings extended a buy-one-get-one free deal on full-size entrees for veterans and active military on November 11. Additionally, they offered a free double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake dessert for dine-in customers.

Chili’s Grill & Bar provided veterans and active military personnel with a free meal from a special menu on November 11. The specific menu included items such as Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, and the Just Bacon Burger.

Denny’s offered a free build-your-own Grand Slam breakfast to veterans and active-duty military from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on November 11.

Famous Dave’s offered a free two-meat Combo to all former and current military personnel on November 11 and November 12.

Golden Corral hosted their annual Military Appreciation Dinner, which was a free meal for veterans and active-duty military personnel. In 2018, this event took place on November 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Hooters offered a free meal from a special menu (purchase of a beverage required) to veterans and active-duty military on November 11.

Little Caesars Pizza offered a free Hot-N-Ready lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11 for veterans and active military.

Outback Steakhouse provided veterans and active-duty military with a free Bloomin' Onion and a beverage on November 11. They also offered a 10% discount on the total check for the remainder of the year for veterans and active-duty military.

Red Lobster offered a free appetizer or dessert to veterans and active-duty military from November 11 through November 15.

Texas Roadhouse offered a free lunch menu item and a beverage to veterans and active-duty military from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 11. The menu included options such as a 6-ounce USDA Choice Sirloin, All-American Cheeseburger, and pulled pork dinner.

Waffle House offered a free breakfast to veterans and active-duty military on November 11.

Wild Wing Cafe offered free meals from select items to veterans all day on November 11 at participating locations.

Yard House offered a complimentary appetizer to veterans and active-duty military on November 11.

Regional and Specific Location Offers

Several offers were specific to certain regions or locations, particularly in the Wichita, Kansas area as detailed in one source.

54th Street Grill offered veterans and active-duty military a free entree up to $12 on November 11.

Arooga's provided a free meal from a fixed menu to veterans and active-duty military on November 12.

Aspen Creek Grill offered complimentary meals from a special menu to active-duty military and veterans from 11 a.m. to close on November 11.

Braum's offered a free lunch combo (hamburger or cheeseburger) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11.

Connors Steak & Seafood offered veterans with military ID or those in uniform 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree on November 11 and November 12.

Dairy Queen offered a free lunch combo (burger or chicken strip basket) to veterans and active-duty military on November 11.

Eat’n Park offered a special 10% discount to all active and former United States military personnel for the entire month of November 2018.

Huddle House offered a free order of Sweet Cakes to all active military members and veterans with proper I.D. from November 9 through November 12.

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que offered free entrees to veterans on November 11.

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom offered a free entree to veterans and active-duty military on November 11.

Shane’s Rib Shack provided a complimentary sandwich, regular side, and 20-ounce beverage to military personnel and veterans at participating locations from November 8 through November 10.

The Chop House offered veterans with military ID or those in uniform 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree on November 11 and November 12.

Wendy’s offered a free breakfast sandwich to veterans and active-duty military from November 1 through November 11.

World of Beer offered veterans a free draught beer or $5 off their check on November 11.

Retail and Service Discounts

Beyond food, various retailers and service providers offered discounts on goods and services to honor veterans.

Retailers

Target offered a 10% discount to veterans and active-duty military from November 1 through November 11. This required registration through Target.com or the Target app.

Lowe’s offered a 10% discount to veterans and active-duty military from November 8 through November 11.

Home Depot offered a 10% discount to veterans and active-duty military from November 8 through November 11.

Walgreens offered a 20% discount to veterans, active-duty military, and their families from November 8 through November 11.

Services and Entertainment

Great Clips offered free haircuts to veterans, active military, reservists, and National Guard members on November 11. Additionally, they provided free haircut cards that could be used any day through December 31, 2018.

Sport Clips Haircuts offered free haircuts to veterans and active-duty military on November 11. They also provided free haircut cards for use any day through December 31, 2018.

National parks offered free admission to all visitors on November 11, 2018, which coincided with Veterans Day.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum offered free museum admission to veterans from November 7 through November 11. They also offered half-price museum tickets for up to two family members during the same period.

Aquarium of the Pacific offered free admission to veterans and military personnel on November 11.

Birmingham Zoo offered free admission to veterans, active and retired military, and their dependents on November 11 and November 12.

Boston Duck Tours offered free rides to veterans and active military from November 12 through November 16. Dependents could ride for $10 per person.

Carnival Cruise Line offered special savings and bonuses to members of the U.S. and Canadian armed forces during November 2018.

Eligibility and Verification Requirements

To redeem these offers, veterans and active-duty military personnel were generally required to present valid proof of service. Acceptable forms of identification varied by business but typically included:

Military ID (CAC card or DD Form 2)
VA Health Identification Card
DD-214 (discharge papers)
Veterans service organization membership card (e.g., American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS)
Picture of the veteran in uniform (accepted by some businesses)

It was noted that not all franchise locations participate in national chain programs, so verifying participation with the local establishment was recommended.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2018 offered a wide array of complimentary meals and discounts across the restaurant, retail, and travel sectors. From full entrees at major chains like Applebee's and Texas Roadhouse to free haircuts at Great Clips and discounts at Target, the promotions provided tangible benefits to service members. The majority of these offers required valid military identification and were valid for dine-in service on November 11 or the observed holiday on November 12. Consumers were advised to contact specific locations to confirm participation prior to visiting.