Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a significant date in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans. As a gesture of gratitude, numerous businesses extend special offers, including complimentary meals, discounted products, and free admission to recreational facilities. These promotions are typically available to active-duty military personnel and veterans, often requiring verification of service through a valid military ID or other forms of proof. The following article provides a detailed overview of the freebies and discounts available during Veterans Day 2016, drawing from a variety of sources including news reports and official announcements. The focus is on food and beverage establishments, as well as select recreational offers, which constitute the bulk of the available data.
National Restaurant Chains Offering Complimentary Meals
Many national restaurant chains participate in Veterans Day by providing free meals to service members. These offers generally require proof of military service, such as a military ID, VA card, or other official documentation. The availability of these offers may vary by location, and some promotions are limited to dine-in service or specific menu items.
Applebee’s, a prominent casual dining chain, offered veterans and active-duty military personnel a choice of one of seven signature items at no cost. This promotion was widely publicized and required diners to present valid military identification.
Bonefish Grill provided a complimentary order of their popular Bang Bang shrimp. This offer was available to veterans and active military members who presented a valid military ID.
California Pizza Kitchen extended a free meal and a non-alcoholic beverage from a pre-selected menu to veterans and active-duty military personnel. This offer was available for both dine-in and takeout on Veterans Day, with the chain also donating 20% of sales from November 7 to November 9 to Disabled American Veterans.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store offered a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake to military members on Veterans Day.
Denny’s, a well-known breakfast chain, provided veterans and active-duty military with a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast. This offer was valid from 5 a.m. until noon on November 11, 2016, and required a valid military ID.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit offered a free pulled pork classic sandwich to veterans and current military personnel. To redeem the offer, customers needed to present a military ID or valid proof of service at participating locations.
Duck Donuts provided a free doughnut to all veterans and active-duty service members with IDs at participating locations. Similarly, Dunkin’ Donuts offered a free donut to veterans and active-duty military nationwide, with no purchase necessary.
Hooters offered a free entrée to retired and active military members on Veterans Day. Customers were required to bring an ID or proof of service to participate.
Little Caesars Pizza provided a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo, which included four slices of Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage. This offer was available on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time to veterans or active members of the U.S. military who mentioned the offer and presented proof of service. The offer was limited to one per customer.
Olive Garden offered free meals to active and retired military members on Veterans Day. A special menu with six options was available, and details were posted on the chain’s Facebook page.
Red Lobster provided a free appetizer or dessert from a select Veterans Day menu on November 10 and 11. Proof of valid military identification was required.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews offered a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with bottomless Steak Fries to veterans and active military personnel who showed proof of service.
Ruby Tuesday’s offered a free appetizer (up to $10) at participating locations, with proof of service required.
T.G.I. Friday’s provided a free lunch at select locations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. Valid ID or proof of service was required, and customers were advised to contact their local restaurant for details.
World of Beer offered a free select draught beer to veterans and active military personnel, with no purchase necessary.
Yard House offered a complimentary appetizer to veterans and active military members, with no purchase necessary.
Regional and Local Restaurant Offers
In addition to national chains, many regional and local restaurants offered special promotions for Veterans Day. These offers often included free meals, appetizers, or desserts.
Abacus and Jasper’s, located in North Texas, provided a complimentary entrée with a valid military ID.
Aspen Creek Grill allowed veterans and active military personnel to choose one of six free entrées from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Veterans Day.
Bar Louie offered a free appetizer or entrée to veterans and active military members.
BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse provided a free entrée (under $12.95) to veterans and active military personnel, requiring a military ID or proof of service.
Burntwood Tavern offered a free meal to all veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day.
Calhoun’s offered a free meal to all veterans and active-duty military members.
Cantina Laredo provided a complimentary meal to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day.
Cicis Pizza invited veterans and active military personnel to eat free from the buffet on Veterans Day. The offer was announced on the Cicis.com/deals page.
Crooked Pint Ale House offered free meals to veterans and active military personnel on Veterans Day.
Davanni’s Pizza provided a free solo one-item pizza and a regular soda to all veterans and active service members on Veterans Day.
Duffy’s Sports Grill offered free meals to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day.
East Coast Wings + Grill offered a free meal to veterans and active-duty military personnel, available all day for dine-in or takeout.
Lamars Donuts offered a free 12 oz coffee and a donut with a hole to veterans, though the exact date of the offer was unclear, potentially being November 9.
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que offered a complimentary personal-size entrée with proof of service on Veterans Day. Options included Lucille’s Original Pulled Pork Sandwich with one side, Lucille’s Southern Fried Chicken with two sides, Pulled Pork Plate with one side, or BBQ Chicken Salad.
Luckys offered a free entrée up to $20 to all veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day.
Luna Grill offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal from November 11 to November 13 to any active-duty or veteran member of the armed forces.
Macaroni Grill offered free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti to veterans and active military personnel with military ID.
Max & Erma’s offered a free cheeseburger, endless fries, fountain drink, and a chocolate chip cookie to veterans and active military personnel at participating locations.
Melting Pot offered free meals to veterans on Veterans Day at select locations, with the purchase of regular-priced four-course meals.
Norma’s Cafe offered free breakfast all day for veterans at all four DFW locations.
Pilot/Flying J offered service members and their families verified through ID.me in the myRewards Plus app a free meal credit valued up to $12 on Veterans Day weekend.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews offered a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with bottomless Steak Fries.
Silver Fox Steakhouse offered a free entrée up to $35 for all veterans and active military personnel.
Wolf Den in Gainesville offered free meals, excluding steaks and gratuity.
Free Appetizers, Desserts, and Beverages
Several establishments offered complimentary appetizers, desserts, or beverages as part of their Veterans Day promotions.
Buffalo Wings & Rings provided three free tenders and a drink to veterans and active-duty military with valid ID, valid for dine-in only.
Caribou Coffee offered a free small brewed coffee to veterans, active-duty military, and their spouses.
Casey’s General Store provided free coffee across its more than 2,200 locations.
CC’s Coffee House offered a free tall brewed coffee to all veterans and active-duty military.
Dunkin’ Donuts offered a free donut to veterans and active-duty military nationwide, with no purchase necessary.
Krispy Kreme offered a free doughnut and a free small hot or iced coffee to veterans on Veterans Day.
Little Caesars Pizza offered a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo, which included four slices of pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage.
Red Lobster offered a free appetizer or dessert from a select menu on November 10 and 11.
Ruby Tuesday’s offered a free appetizer up to $10 at participating locations.
Yard House offered a complimentary appetizer to veterans and active military personnel.
Recreational and Non-Food Offers
While the majority of the available data focuses on food and beverage offers, some non-food promotions were also available for Veterans Day 2016.
Dallas Arboretum offered free admission to service members and veterans.
Fort Worth Zoo offered free admission to service members, veterans, and a guest on Sunday for "Heroes Day," with patriotic-themed entertainment.
Maricopa County Parks offered free entrance to military members on November 11, waiving the normal $6 entrance fee.
National Parks, recreation parks, and monuments across the country waived their entrance fees on Veterans Day. This included parks in Arizona such as Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro.
Veterans Resource Center in Oak Cliff offered free dental care to local veterans, provided by a group of dentists.
Denton County Transportation Authority offered free rides for veterans and active military personnel.
Verification and Eligibility Requirements
Most Veterans Day offers require verification of military service. Common forms of proof include:
- Valid military ID
- VA card
- Proof of service (e.g., DD214)
- Membership in veterans organizations
Some offers are available to active-duty, retired, and reserve military personnel, while others may be limited to specific groups. It is advisable for individuals to confirm the details of each offer directly with the participating location, as terms and conditions may vary.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2016 saw a wide array of freebies and discounts offered by restaurants and other businesses across the United States. From national chains to local establishments, the promotions served as a gesture of appreciation for the service and sacrifice of military veterans and active-duty personnel. While the specific offers detailed in this article are from 2016, the tradition of offering Veterans Day discounts continues, with similar promotions typically available each year. Consumers are encouraged to verify offer details and eligibility requirements directly with participating businesses, as terms may change annually.