Veterans Day presents a significant opportunity for military personnel, veterans, and their families to access complimentary meals, retail discounts, and service-based freebies. Based on information from recent news reports and local listings, a wide variety of national chains and regional businesses participate in these annual traditions. The offers generally require proof of service, such as a military ID, and many are restricted to dine-in consumption on November 11. The following guide outlines the specific details regarding free meals, retail discounts, and other benefits available to the military community during this period.
National Restaurant Chains Offering Free Meals
Several major restaurant chains offer free entrees to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. These offers typically span a specific time window and require in-person verification of service status.
Full-Service Restaurant Offers Full-service restaurants are prominent participants in Veterans Day promotions, often providing a selection of menu items at no cost.
- Applebee’s: Applebee’s offers veterans and active-duty military personnel a free meal from a select menu. Eligible menu items include 6 oz. top sirloin, double crunch shrimp, fiesta lime chicken, chicken tenders platter, classic bacon cheeseburger, oriental chicken salad, and three-cheese chicken penne. In addition to the meal, Applebee’s provides a $5 bounce-back card for a future dine-in, to-go, or delivery order, valid for three weeks.
- Olive Garden: Olive Garden offers a free entrée from a special menu. Options include never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks, cheese ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccini alfredo, and chicken parmigiana.
- Outback Steakhouse: Outback Steakhouse offers a free Bloomin' Onion and a Coca-Cola product. The chain also applies a "daily heroes discount" of 10% off entire checks for nurses, doctors, medical staff, military veterans, police, firefighters, and first responders.
- Texas Roadhouse: Texas Roadhouse provides a free meal voucher for use between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Proof of service is required, and vouchers are valid through May 2025 (or May 30, 2023, per older data). No purchase is necessary.
- Red Robin: Red Robin offers a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger (or Red’s Big Tavern Burger in some reports) and bottomless steak fries for dine-in only.
- Famous Dave’s: Veterans receive a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich and a choice of side on November 11. This offer is valid for dine-in, to-go, and online ordering.
- Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream: Happy Joe’s offers a free lunch smorgasbord, including a drink and a free small pizza, at select locations.
- Carlos O’Kelly’s: Carlos O’Kelly’s provides a free entrée for dine-in only, available to veterans, active military, and Gold Star Families.
Fast Casual and Quick Service Offers Fast casual and quick service restaurants often provide lighter fare or specific menu items.
- IHOP: IHOP offers free red, white, and blue pancakes (three buttermilk pancakes topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry compote, and whipped topping) at participating locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for dine-in only.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings offers 10 free boneless wings and fries for dine-in only, requiring valid ID.
- Wendy’s: Wendy’s offers a free breakfast combo on Veterans Day for active-duty military and veterans.
- Taco John’s: Taco John’s offers a free Combo #1, which includes two crispy beef tacos, a side, and a beverage.
- Smash Burger: Smash Burger offers a free All-American Single or Double Burger, requiring proof of service.
- Subway: Subway offers a free 6-inch sub or a 10% discount on a sub sandwich at participating locations.
Coffee and Donut Shops Coffee shops and donut chains are popular stops for Veterans Day freebies.
- Starbucks: Starbucks offers a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced coffee for veterans, military service members, and military spouses at participating U.S. stores. One per customer.
- Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme offers a free doughnut and a small hot or iced brewed coffee. No separate purchase is required.
- Casey’s: Casey’s offers free coffee or any size fountain drink on November 11.
- Kum & Go: Kum & Go offers a free Bean-to-Cup coffee, up to size large, at all Maverik and Kum & Go locations nationwide.
- Scooter’s Coffee: Scooter’s Coffee offers a free medium drink on Veterans Day. Mobile order-ahead is not available.
Specific Regional and Local Restaurant Offers In addition to national chains, local establishments often participate. For example, in the Eastern Iowa area:
- Lucky's on 16th: Offers a free 2-egg breakfast and non-alcoholic beverage.
- Donutland: Gives away a dozen donuts and coffee with military ID.
- Hy-Vee: Hosts a free dine-in breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. and offers 15% off grocery purchases.
- North Liberty American Legion: Hosts a smoked pork luncheon for all veterans.
- Edith Lucielle's Bait Shack and Wing Depot: Offers free meals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Double Z Bar & Grill: Offers a free all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Whiskey River Grill: Offers a Hot Beef Special for dine-in or carry-out.
- Sally's on Broadway: Offers a free buffet for veterans and active military.
- Sugarfire: Offers a free pulled pork sandwich and side.
- Chrome Horse Saloon NewBo: Offers 10% off.
- Daisy's Garage: Offers 25% off entrees.
- Highway 63 Diner: Offers a free Veterans Meal.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond dining, various retailers and service providers offer significant discounts to veterans and active military personnel. These discounts often extend beyond Veterans Day itself.
Retail Store Discounts Retailers offer percentage-based discounts on purchases, often requiring military identification.
- Theisen’s: Offers 11% off all in-store purchases through November 13 with a military ID.
- Fleet Farm: Offers an additional 10% off all in-store purchases for active military and veterans through November 12.
- Lowe’s: Provides a 10% military discount every day.
- Staples: Offers a 25% discount to active-duty military personnel, reservists, retired or disabled veterans, and their immediate families.
- Walgreens: Offers 20% off eligible regular-price items for veterans, the military, and their families with myWalgreens in-store only.
- Dollar General: Offers 20% off total purchases in-store or online for veterans, active military, and their family members.
- Fareway: Offers 15% off to all military personnel, active or retired, on November 11.
Service-Based Discounts Service providers, including automotive and personal care, also participate.
- Sport Clips: Many locations offer free haircuts to service members and veterans with valid military identification. The company also donates $2 per haircare service nationwide on Veterans Day to support "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarships."
- Great Clips: Offers a free haircut on Veterans Day or a free haircut card to use at a later date. Cards can be redeemed from November 12 through December.
Admission and Other Freebies
Some businesses offer free admission or other unique freebies.
- The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Offers free admission for veterans and active-duty military members from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sonic: Offers half-price shakes in any size and flavor at participating locations.
- The Poke Company: Offers a 20% discount year-round for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders.
Eligibility and Verification Requirements
Accessing these offers generally requires verification of military status. Most businesses request a valid military ID, such as a Department of Defense ID, a veteran ID card, or a state-issued ID with veteran designation. Some businesses ask customers to identify their branch of service if they do not have a physical ID. It is recommended that participants contact their local establishment to confirm participation and specific requirements, as offers can vary by location.
Conclusion
Veterans Day offers a diverse range of free meals and discounts from national chains and local businesses. The offers span categories including full-service dining, quick service, coffee, retail, and personal care. While most offers are valid only on November 11, some retail discounts extend into the following days, and vouchers like those from Texas Roadhouse remain valid for several months. Service members and veterans should prepare to present valid identification to redeem these offers.