Veterans Day 2025 offers a wide array of complimentary meals and discounts for active-duty military personnel and veterans across the United States. Numerous restaurant chains and retailers participate in annual appreciation events, providing free food, beverages, and retail discounts. These offers typically require valid military identification or proof of service, and many are available for dine-in only on November 11. The following comprehensive guide details the specific deals available, eligibility requirements, and participating locations based on verified information.
Comprehensive List of Veterans Day Food and Retail Deals
The following list compiles confirmed Veterans Day offers for 2025 and historical data from 2019 and 2024 to illustrate the consistency of these annual programs. While specific dates and menu items may vary slightly year to year, the participating brands consistently honor service members.
Major Restaurant Chains Offering Free Meals
Golden Corral Golden Corral hosts an annual Military Appreciation Night, a tradition spanning 25 years. For Veterans Day 2025, Golden Corral is offering a free "thank you" meal, which includes a dinner buffet and beverage, at all locations nationwide. This event takes place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 4 p.m. to close. The offer is valid for dining in only. Lance Trenary, CEO of Golden Corral, stated, "Military Appreciation Night is always a highlight of our year. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, this tradition has given team members and our guests the chance to connect with those who have served, hear their stories, and come together in gratitude and respect."
Chili’s Chili’s Grill & Bar offers a complimentary entrée to all veterans and active military personnel on November 11. This offer is valid at all locations. The specific menu options included in the promotion are: - Oldtimer® with Cheese and Fries - Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas - 3-Count Chicken Crispers® - Soup with Side Salad Please note that the cost of the beverage and gratuity are not included in this offer.
Logan’s Roadhouse Logan’s Roadhouse honors veterans and active-duty military with a free lunch on Veterans Day. The offer is valid from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 11, 2025.
Denny’s Denny’s provides active and retired military personnel with a free Original Grand Slam breakfast on Veterans Day. This offer is available from 5 a.m. to noon on November 11 at participating locations. It is valid for dine-in only and requires a valid military ID or DD-214.
Olive Garden Olive Garden offers veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free meal from a select menu on Veterans Day.
Texas Roadhouse Texas Roadhouse provides veterans and active-duty servicemembers with a meal voucher on Veterans Day. This offer typically requires a valid military ID.
Red Lobster Red Lobster offers a free Shrimp & Chips meal to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. Valid military identification is required to redeem this offer.
Red Robin Red Robin offers veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with a bottomless side on Veterans Day.
Outback Steakhouse Outback Steakhouse offers veterans with a military ID a free Bloomin’ Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage on Veterans Day. Additionally, they receive 20 percent off their check from November 12 through December 31.
IHOP IHOP offers veterans and active-duty servicemembers free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combos on Veterans Day, typically available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Applebee’s Applebee’s offers veterans and active-duty military a free meal from a select menu on Veterans Day. This offer is valid for dine-in only and requires a valid military ID.
Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo Wild Wings offers a free small order of boneless wings and a side of fries to veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. This offer is valid for dine-in only.
Denny’s Denny’s offers a free Original Grand Slam breakfast to active and retired military personnel from 5 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day. Valid military ID or DD-214 is required.
BJs Restaurant Brewhouse BJs Restaurant Brewhouse offers military members and veterans a free entrée up to $14.95 and a free Dr. Pepper beverage on Veterans Day. This offer requires a valid military ID.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Dickey’s Barbecue Pit offers veterans and active-duty military a free Pulled Pork Sandwich with a valid military ID at all locations nationwide. This offer is available for dine-in or carryout and is limited to one sandwich per qualifying guest.
Dog Haus Dog Haus offers a free Haus Dog at select participating locations to veterans and active military with valid military ID. This offer is for dine-in only and is limited to one free Haus Dog per person.
Eddie Merlot’s Eddie Merlot’s offers veterans and active-duty military a free Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger & Fries on Veterans Day. The offer is available for dine-in only and requires a valid ID.
Friendly’s Friendly’s offers veterans a free All-American Cheeseburger and a drink of choice from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 11. An active Military ID is required.
Hooters Hooters offers veterans who present a military ID or proof of service and purchase a beverage a free entrée from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu. This offer is valid for dine-in only at participating locations nationwide.
Bandanas BBQ Restaurant Bandanas BBQ Restaurant offers a free meal to veterans and active duty military on November 11.
Manhattan Bagel Company Manhattan Bagel Company invites all active, former, and retired military personnel with valid identification to enjoy a free bagel and cream cheese at participating locations on Veterans Day. No additional purchase is required.
Subway Subway offers military Veterans with a valid ID a free six-inch sub on November 11 at select locations.
TGI Fridays TGI Fridays offers veterans a free lunch menu item from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. Guests also receive a $5 coupon for their next meal at Fridays.
Shake Shack Shake Shack offers veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free Big Shack burger with valid military ID.
Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme offers veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free small coffee and doughnut.
Dunkin’ Dunkin’ offers veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free donut on Veterans Day.
Starbucks Starbucks offers veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and military spouses a free tall coffee.
Free Coffee and Breakfast Offers
Einstein Bros. Bagels Einstein Bros. Bagels offers veterans and active-duty military a free hot or iced coffee (any size) on November 11. Guests can claim their complimentary coffee in-bakery, through the mobile app, or online with the code FREECOFFEE. No purchase is necessary.
Bruegger's Bagels Bruegger's Bagels also offers a free hot or iced coffee of any size to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day.
Retail and Service Discounts
The Home Depot The Home Depot offers veterans a 10% military discount on in-store purchases on select items during the Veterans Day weekend.
Walgreens Walgreens offers 20% off for military, veterans, and their families from November 8-11. Walgreens also provides free flu shots for VA-enrolled Veterans.
Rack Room Shoes Rack Room Shoes offers United States Military and families with a valid ID 10% off their entire purchase on November 11. This offer is in-store only.
SmartStyle SmartStyle offers a discount to veterans and active-duty military. Proof of service is required to receive the special discount at participating salons. Walk-ins are welcome, and no double discounts are allowed. Discount may vary per location.
American Family Care American Family Care offers veterans free flu shots on Veterans Day. Veterans are encouraged to visit AFCUrgentCare.com to find the nearest location.
True Rest Float Spa True Rest Float Spa offers a free 60-minute float session to active-duty military and veterans on Veterans Day.
Health and Wellness Offers
Flu Shots In addition to American Family Care, veterans receiving health care at the VA are eligible for free flu shots at local Walgreens locations.
Historical Context and Consistency
The offers listed above reflect a consistent pattern of military appreciation by major brands. Historical data from 2019 and 2024 shows that many of these deals are annual traditions. For example, Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night has been a staple for over two decades. Similarly, restaurants like Chili’s, Outback, and Denny’s have consistently offered free meals to veterans on November 11 for many years. This consistency allows veterans and active-duty personnel to anticipate and plan for these benefits.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
To redeem these offers, veterans and active-duty military personnel typically need to provide valid proof of service. Acceptable forms of identification generally include: - A valid military ID card - A DD-214 form - A veteran organization membership card - Other official proof of service (varies by location)
Many offers are valid for dine-in only and are limited to one per person. Some deals, such as those at Applebee’s or Chili’s, may have a specific menu to choose from, while others, like the offer at Logan’s Roadhouse, are restricted to specific hours (e.g., lunch only). It is always recommended to call ahead to the specific location to confirm participation and any local variations in the offer.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2025 presents a significant opportunity for U.S. military members and veterans to enjoy complimentary meals and discounts across a wide range of restaurants and retailers. From full buffet dinners at Golden Corral to breakfast at Denny’s and coffee at Einstein Bros. Bagels, the appreciation is widespread. By preparing valid military identification and verifying offer details with local establishments, service members can fully utilize these expressions of gratitude from the business community.