Businesses across Maryland consistently offer a variety of freebies, discounts, and promotional deals to specific groups such as veterans, active-duty military personnel, and federal workers. These offers span multiple categories, including dining, retail, and community services, and often require specific forms of identification or enrollment in loyalty programs to redeem. The availability of these deals is frequently tied to specific dates, such as Veterans Day on November 11, or ongoing periods of need like government shutdowns.
Veterans Day Offers for Military Personnel
On Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, numerous Maryland businesses provide complimentary meals and products to honor those who have served. To claim these offers, veterans and active-duty military personnel typically need to present a military ID or other proof of veteran status. It is recommended to verify participation with local franchise locations prior to visiting.
Restaurant and Dining Freebies
A wide range of restaurant chains participate in Veterans Day promotions. These offers generally apply to dine-in customers and may be limited to specific menu items.
- Applebee’s: Provides a free, full-sized entrée from an exclusive menu for active-duty military, veterans, reserves, and National Guard members.
- Bob Evans: Offers veterans and active members free meals from a select menu upon dining in. The menu includes classic breakfast items, buttermilk hotcakes, and sausage gravy and biscuits.
- Chili’s: Locations throughout Maryland offer free meals to veterans and service members.
- Chipotle: From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., veterans and active-duty military receive a second entrée free after purchasing a first.
- Cracker Barrel: Provides free Sunrise Pancake Specials, which include pancakes, eggs, and breakfast meat, to current and retired service members.
- Cracker Barrel: Offers free Sunrise Pancake Specials featuring pancakes, eggs, and breakfast meat to current and retired service members.
- Red Lobster: Veterans can receive a free appetizer or dessert. Additionally, a 10% discount is available for veterans and active-duty military on Military Mondays throughout the year.
- Shoney's: Provides a free all-you-care-to-eat breakfast until 11:00 a.m. for veterans and active-duty military.
- Smoothie King: Offers a free 20-ounce smoothie to veterans and active-duty military between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
- Texas Roadhouse: Distributes free meal vouchers to veterans from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- TravelCenters of America: Provides a free meal to veterans and active-duty military at participating locations.
- Uno's Pizzeria & Grill: Offers a free entrée or individual pizza with the purchase of a second meal of equal or greater value for veterans and active-duty military.
- Wendy's: Provides a free small breakfast combo with no purchase necessary for veterans and active-duty military.
- White Castle: Offers a free breakfast combo or Castle Combo 1 to 6 for veterans and active-duty military.
Retail and Service Discounts
In addition to dining, various retailers offer discounts or free products to veterans.
- Apple: Eligible veterans and service members receive 10% off select purchases.
- Auto Zone: Active military members are eligible for discounts, though specific details are not provided in the source material.
- Roy Rogers: Participating locations provide a free Uncle Ralph's brownie with any purchase for veterans.
- TCBY: Offers the first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free to veterans and active-duty military.
- Vitamin Shoppe: Provides a 25% discount on purchases made in-store.
- Starbucks: Offers a free tall (12-ounce) hot-brewed coffee to veterans, active-duty military, reservists, and military spouses.
Support Programs for Federal Workers
During periods of government instability, such as a government shutdown, specific programs and discounts are often established to support furloughed or unpaid federal employees in Maryland. These initiatives range from financial assistance to complimentary meals.
Government and County Assistance
State and local agencies provide various forms of relief to affected workers.
- Zero-Interest Loan Program: The State of Maryland offers $700 interest-free loans to furloughed or unpaid federal employees through its Resources for Federal Workers initiative.
- Unemployment Assistance: Furloughed federal employees are eligible to apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) through the Maryland Department of Labor.
- Eviction and Foreclosure Protection: Federal workers unable to pay rent or mortgages during a shutdown are protected from eviction if they meet specific eligibility criteria.
- Utility Relief: The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) waives late fees and halts service shutoffs for affected federal workers.
- Career Support: The county’s Mobilize Montgomery program connects furloughed employees with temporary jobs and coaching.
Restaurant and Retail Discounts for Federal Workers
Several local restaurants and chains offer specific deals for federal employees during shutdowns.
- RASA (Rockville): Offers $10 “Shutdown Bowls” for federal employees with a valid ID.
- Taco Bamba (Rockville & Gaithersburg): Provides a buy-one-get-one-free deal on tacos for federal workers.
- Matchbox Restaurants (Bethesda & Rockville): Offers 20% off dine-in meals for government employees during the shutdown.
Seasonal and Promotional Freebies
Beyond specific support groups, Maryland residents can access various seasonal freebies and tax-free shopping events.
Back-to-School and Fall Promotions
August and September often feature promotions targeted at students and families.
- Arby’s Rewards: Members can get free medium fries every day in August with a $10 online order picked up in-store.
- Krispy Kreme: On August 9, customers can receive a free original glazed doughnut.
- Maryland Tax-Free Week: Occurring from August 10-16, this event waives sales tax on clothing and shoes priced at $100 or less. The first $40 of backpacks and bookbags are also tax-free.
- Instacart: Offers a different free item daily from August 11-17 (e.g., fruit snacks, cheese chunks, protein shakes) for back-to-school shoppers. No minimum purchase is required, but a $10 minimum spend is needed for delivery.
- The DRIPBaR: The new Georgetown location offers 50% off the first IV drip and a free B12 shot for bookings made before October 11.
Holiday and Community Event Freebies
Various events throughout the fall and winter offer free activities and giveaways.
- National Mall of Pickleball: Free events are held from September 19-21; participants are encouraged to sign up for notifications.
- Corner Bakery: Celebrated World Smile Day (October 3) with free coffee with any purchase and free Funfetti Bundt Bites. The first 20 guests at each location received a free Smiley Mug and free coffee for a year.
- McDonald’s: Offers "Free Fries Friday" year-round, providing free medium fries with any $1+ purchase in the app.
- Howl-O-Ween Bar(k) Crawl: At The Yards in D.C. on October 15, participating restaurants give away "pup perks" like treats, toys, and bandannas while supplies last.
- MyPanera: Members can get a free bakery treat with a minimum delivery order through November 16, along with daily deals.
- Uniqlo: During the grand reopening at Tysons Corner Center (November 14-19), early shoppers receive free goodie bags and free breakfast, plus free Japanese Taiko drum performances.
- Corner Bakery: On November 15 (National Bundt Cake Day), buy one Baby Bundt or Bundt Bite and get one free while supplies last.
- Chicken Salad Chick: The first 100 people at the grand opening in Herndon on November 18 receive freebies, with giveaways with purchase November 19-22.
- National Harbor: Features a 60-foot holiday tree with nightly light and sound shows through December 27, plus fireworks on Saturday nights.
Conclusion
Maryland offers a diverse landscape of freebies and discounts, primarily segmented by holidays, employment status, and seasonal events. Veterans and active military personnel can expect significant dining and retail benefits on November 11, while federal workers have access to structured financial aid and restaurant discounts during government shutdowns. General consumers can leverage seasonal tax holidays, loyalty program memberships, and community events to access complimentary goods and services throughout the year.